ckchen72 Posted March 9, 2007 Share #1 Posted March 9, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Ok people PLEASE have pity on me as I am trying to grasp the digital era. I am new to mac, the m8 and digital in general. I shot some pics using both raw and jpeg. I downloaded them on to the mac straight from the camera. The folder now contains both jpg and DNG files. Is this where I am supposed to use the C1 or was I supposed to use C1 while i was importing them to the computer? I understand C1 only works with RAW images but once I open the folder it still opens both the jpgs and dng files. I guess I am just not sure the purpose of C1. Is it supposed to convert the dng files into some other type of format? Do the raw files have to go through c1 and then I can use them in photoshop? I guess I understand the reason for photoshop. But I am less clear on the reason for raw converters like adobe raw and c1, and from there the need for programs like aperture and ligthroom when you have photoshop. Do you need raw converters to get them into programs like light room and cs2? Ugh...please....shine the light on me ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 9, 2007 Posted March 9, 2007 Hi ckchen72, Take a look here PLEASE Complete newbie RAW C1 questions. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ckchen72 Posted March 9, 2007 Author Share #2 Posted March 9, 2007 ok outside of being a complete digital newbie, must also be completely new to the internet, sorry about the replicate posts Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sirvine Posted March 9, 2007 Share #3 Posted March 9, 2007 I guess I am just not sure the purpose of C1. The easy way to think of it is that DNG are negatives, and C1 is like the darkroom. A DNG is a file with pure data from the camera stored in it. The way that data looks as a digital image depends every much on the program that "interprets" the color information, the contrast, the white balance, saturation and the other parameters of a photographic image. C1 and other "developers" literally transform the digital negative data into an image. As would be the case in developing prints from film, variations are inherent due to the processes used. With film, the variables are familiar (chemicals, timing, etc.) With digital, the variables are algorithms, etc. This is a ridiculously dumb explanation--hopefully someone will do a better job than I have... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted March 9, 2007 Share #4 Posted March 9, 2007 We need to sign him up on the M8 workshop. This is a 2 hour response and i need to get up for a early flight to Vegas, okay guys and girls it's all yours. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted March 9, 2007 Share #5 Posted March 9, 2007 Calvin--Some good questions! Digital is something totally new, as you surmise. I shot some pics using both raw and jpeg. I downloaded them on to the mac straight from the camera. The folder now contains both jpg and DNG files. Is this where I am supposed to use the C1 or was I supposed to use C1 while i was importing them to the computer? Can't help there; I don't have C1. My guess would be: this is when you need to use C1, rather than during the import stage I guess I am just not sure the purpose of C1. Is it supposed to convert the dng files into some other type of format? Do the raw files have to go through c1 and then I can use them in photoshop? As Sol said, C1 acts at least in part as a 'developer' for various RAW (in this case DNG) formats. Same with Adobe Camera Raw. Since they use different approaches internally, you might think of them as different film developers, rather like Rodinal vs D-76. Yes, you use a raw converter to produce a more universal kind of file not tied specifically to your camera. If you want to do more with another program, you can now read the file with that second program I guess I understand the reason for photoshop. But I am less clear on the reason for raw converters like adobe raw and c1, and from there the need for programs like aperture and ligthroom when you have photoshop. Do you need raw converters to get them into programs like light room and cs2? Various answers. One is there are various software manufacturers, and each wants to sell you his product on the basis of its specific features. Also, Photoshop is the Big Mama, but it has a lot of features for graphic artists which photographers will probably never use. So Adobe comes up with Lightroom, specifically tailored to photographers' needs. Similarly, a big problem with digital images is storage and retrieval. Both Aperture and Lightroom are making an effort to become filing systems, while Photoshop stands as simply an image processor. And yes, these programs all expect an image that has been pre-processed by a raw converter of some sort. That way, the software manufacturer can simply update his raw converter to handle new cameras, rather than trying to build the new file formats into the main application. Suggestion: Best book on RAW is "Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS2," doubtless soon to be replaced by a version for CS3, I would guess. Clicking on one of the Amazon ads on this forum will take you to Amazon.com and credit this forum with a little money from any purchase you make while there from that link. Good luck! RAW is a good place to start, and from there you can begin to see what the other programs can do for you. --HC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted March 9, 2007 Share #6 Posted March 9, 2007 If you are using the M8 you may have problems with Aperture as it does not fully support M8 yet.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted March 9, 2007 Share #7 Posted March 9, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) ... Suggestion: Best book on RAW is "Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS2," --HC I'll second that. Camera Raw (by Bruce Fraser) is a very worthwhile investment whether you're new to raw images or not. It's full of clear explanation that is supported by excellent use of images and examples, starts at the very beginning but also includes the complex stuff. I thought I already knew a bit about raw images but the book confirmed that there was an awful lot I didn't know! The book has a logical, intuitive flow, is written in an easy style and I found it to be one of those books that you find yourself frequently returning to for reference. This may not help you with the particular foibles of Capture 1 but it will help you with raw imaging and if you have CS2 you will have Adobe Camera Raw. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_h Posted March 9, 2007 Share #8 Posted March 9, 2007 Calvin, This is a minefield for new digital users as there is so much to learn. I would add to the previous answers that the reasoning behind RAW files is to give more control over the image taken. Pictures taken as Jpegs in camera are processed by the camera and so there will be limitations to the the end product. Generally speaking raw images can be manipulated to your choice as the raw file contains little or no interpretation by the camera processor. You might want to look at the Workflow examples thread at the top of the digital forum to give you some direction in developing your own 'workflow'. There are no rights or wrongs here just different ways to get from A to B. regards Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmb_ Posted March 9, 2007 Share #9 Posted March 9, 2007 Calvin, The previous posts have explained much about RAW files for you. I will try to add a couple of more hints on how to actually proceed. Is this where I am supposed to use the C1 or was I supposed to use C1 while i was importing them to the computer? You do not need to use C1 to import the files to your computer. The way you did it should be fine. Is it supposed to convert the dng files into some other type of format? Do the raw files have to go through c1 and then I can use them in photoshop? Yes, C1 will convert the files to TIFF (or JPEG) and then you can open the TIFF (or JPEG) files in Photoshop for additional processing if wanted. As others have stated, consider C1 (or any Raw converter) similar to developing or processing. In addition to converting the file to TIFF, you can also make adjustments to exposure, white balance, sharpness, and noise reduction. Open C1. You should be able to navigate to the folder where you have your files. C1 will add those images and generate previews. Then you can make the necessary adjustments. Are you using C1 LE or C1 Pro? Do you have the User Guide? There is a "Getting Started" section in the user guide that will walk you through the steps. You can also find the same information in the Help section when you open C1. You can download the User Guide here if you need it: Phase One - Try the Getting Started section and if that does not get you started then ask some more questions and we will try to help shine more light for you. Good Luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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