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DNG and Software Applications


Philinflash

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I understand the rationale for creating DNG files but I think I need some education.

 

First of all, the DNG files do not present as well in the C1 software that was bundled on the M8 CD for download as do the parallel JPG files in, say, PhotoShop. Why is that? Does the C1 require a different profile that I have not set up?

 

Ceterus paribus, I would prefer to use PhotoShop but my PS 7.01 does not recognize the DNG format. What version of PS should I be running? Does the newest handle DNG?

 

Are there tutorials or courses available for C1, if that is what I'm stuck with?

 

The JPGs are not so horrible that I cannot work with them. On the contrary, they are quite juicy and responsive in post. Maybe the DNG are just for the archives.

 

Your generous thoughts and advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

 

Philip

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Guest sirvine

For myself, I do not shoot any JPEG. I prefer to shoot DNG and then use Adobe Lightroom to process the DNGs. You have far greater flexibility with DNG than with JPEGs in post. Lightroom can output to TIFF or another high quality format, including JPEG, if you wish. Lightroom is also tightly integrated with Photoshop (although I use CS3, so it could be a little different in your case).

 

You can do the same with Capture One, but it's more confusing because it's less of an integrated solution. If you're used to Photoshop, you should try the 30 day Lightroom trial.

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Philip, the main benefit of dng's is that you can manipulate the image in the digital domain, without degrading its quality.

 

For example, in PS using raw (dng with approp. module from the download that Guy suggests, above) you can add light, change wb, etc. All this happens without affecting the image in a way that you can see.

 

Once you finish your work in ACR (Adobe Camera Raw), if you then continue to tune the image, you are in an analog domain and now you degrade the image.

 

Raw is the photographers best tool.

 

If you didn't know, every time you save a jpeg, you throw away data. If you are starting with a jpeg and wish to work with it, save it first as a tiff, You can savfe tiff's many times without losing data. Convert to jpeg as the last step, if you need a jpeg.

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For help getting started with C1,

http://www.phaseone.com/Content/Software/ProSoftware/ProductOverview/GettingStarted.aspx

 

Frequently the difference between what people see with JPEGs and with DNGs in the previews of various software including C1 and PS has to do with the choice of working color space (profiles) and with the difference in gamma (contrast) in the JPEG and DNG profile space; and to a small extent the amount of JPEG sharpening. When all such variables are identical so that the only difference is in bit depth and file format, you should be able to easily adjust the DNG to be identical with the JPEG, if that is what you want--but that is setting the bar rather low. DNGs processed through any reasonable software should exceed by a large margin what you can get from JPEGs. I know there are some who have said RAW isn't worth the effort, that JPEGS are great, and that may be true for the quality of images they produce; for me, my images are worth it.

 

Joe

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Sometimes Flash can be inhibited by your browser settings. I just tried to view the little videos on C1 and they work fine for me. Might not hurt to try to reinstall Flash in case it has been broken by some other application or update.

 

Joe

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Guest guy_mancuso
Guy, I don't think the RAW update will work with Photoshop 7.

 

Certainly CS2 (be aware that CS3 will be out soon) and Elements 4/5 will work ok.

 

 

You know as i was writing that i was thinking the same darn thing. i can't remember if 7.0 had ACR in it. He may have to upgrade to CS2 which if he does than ACR will be in it.

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