Open in Photoshop

Fireman

Hi all
I have been shooting in jpeg for the past 2 to 3 yrs and I would like to try taking some pics in RAW and converting them in P/S.I took some pics today in RAW but I cannot open them into P/S to alter some contrast and color or improve them in any way
I have Digital Photo Professional (Canon) but It isn't the best for manipulating in RAW
Any info would be appreciated

Fireman

Masada

what version of photoshop do you have? i think only CS2 and newer can understand RAW.,

trishw78

I seem to be having the same problem with CS2. I shot in RAW today as well

5uspect

Have you installed camera RAW. I don't think it comes with CS2 by default and must be downloaded from the adobe ftp site here:
ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/photoshop/cameraraw/win

pete4130

CS2 can handle RAW files, but as newer cameras came out AFTER CS2 was released these newer RAW files (Nikon D200, Nikon D80 RAW files etc...) couldn't be opened by CS2, so like 5uspect said, you need to update your RAW reading file for CS2. its a free download from Adobe and you simply follow the instructions to replace the older file that reads RAW images and you should be set to go.

pixbyjohn

Fireman wrote: »

Hi all
I have been shooting in jpeg for the past 2 to 3 yrs and I would like to try taking some pics in RAW and converting them in P/S.I took some pics today in RAW but I cannot open them into P/S to alter some contrast and color or improve them in any way
I have Digital Photo Professional (Canon) but It isn't the best for manipulating in RAW
Any info would be appreciated

Fireman

Like 5uspect says you need to download the RAW plugin for Photoshop

kensutz

Never needed to download any plugin for CS2 or CS3.

5uspect

I'm pretty sure it came with CS3 but I remember having to download it for CS2.

Stokolan

Yeah it comes with 3 I had the same problem wit CS and couldnt find a plugin to work.

Karoma

OP: .crw or .cr2? What camera do you have? What version of Adobe Camera Raw do you have installed? 3.7 I believe is the latest for CS2.
ed: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=106&platform=Windows (Although Adobe Updater should download the latest compatible version available)

Fireman

I shoot with a 20D and 40d (new) and I have Photoshop 7

fireman

stcstc

the 40d raw files need the latest version of camera RAW, and it doesnt support photoshop 7

Oriel

I personally see no advantage in shooting in RAW. Most colour balanace changes you an make in photoshop anyway. You just end up with bigger files and slower processing.
I know a pro photographer who only uses jpeg. If you don't need it, don't use it.
Learn to shoot properly rather than relying on recovering exposure afterwards.
I generally only shoot using manual mode now. You get to know photography a lot more from doing it.

stcstc

I do agree you should learn to get it right in the camera etc

BUT

a few things about shooting RAW,

1. changing colour balance etc in a raw has no detrimental effect, in a JPEG it add rounding errors and noise.

2. Processing RAW, CAN actually be quicker than processing JPGs (you have to be more careful with adjustments in a jpg)

3. why would you not have the saftey net of exposure latitude (as an example) that you have with RAW and DONT have with jpg

Paulw

You need Photoshop CS3 for the latest version of Adobe Raw. This would be needed for the newest cameras 1D MkIII, 40D, 400D, D3, D300, E3 etc.

Raw has so much more potential, especially when working in non-optimal conditions. You have so much more flexibility. Yes, many professionals shoot jpg, but also many shoot raw or raw + jpg. It really depends on the conditions and the workflow.

But, it's a personal choice. Do what you feel most comfortable with. In general, more data (raw) gives more options.

elven

Ooh, if someone knows a pro who shoots jpg then it must be the right thing to do. Hang on while I switch my camera over. While I'm at it, you better all read Ken Rockwell's thoughts on it too, if you still want to go with raw... that'll sort you out.

5uspect

RAW has more dyanamic range, 12bit on most cameras and 14 bit on the 1D and 40D compared to just 8 bit for JPEGs. That alone is reason enought to shoot RAW for me.

kensutz

Talking about opening RAW in photoshop. I only got my hands on a Mac version of CS2 and it wouldn't open .CR2 files until I updated all the files and then it worked.

stcstc

another thing about RAW.

if you want to do B&W conversions of your images

It simple maths really.

the JPG is only 8bits per channel. RAW is at least 12 bits on most modern cameras and when converted to bring into PS should be 16Bit

8Bits per channel gives 256 levels

16 Bits per channel gives 65536


when you convert to B&W you will be making your image into one of the channels.

SO the detail you can keep in a B&W conversion in 16 bpc is massively higher.

and if you shot a JPG and then realise you want a B&W well your stuck with what you have.

SO why through away the information till you have to?

trishw78

I put the latest version of the plugin for cs2 on my computer and it still won't open the .cr2 file.

I was only trying shooting in raw to see if there was any advantage. I'm thinking there's not since I'll have to reshoot in jpg now. If I can't convert.

stcstc

the latest version of camera raw does not support cs2

Karoma

trishw78 wrote: »

I put the latest version of the plugin for cs2 on my computer and it still won't open the .cr2 file.

I was only trying shooting in raw to see if there was any advantage. I'm thinking there's not since I'll have to reshoot in jpg now. If I can't convert.

Remove. Install 3.7 and it might work.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=54747008&postcount=10