What is Camera RAW?
September 24th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
What is Camera RAW?
When you press the shutter button on your digital camera, the image is exposed on a chip in your digital camera called a sensor. Color is typically captured on your sensor in 12 bits of color per color channel. All of this information is captured into an area of working memory in a format typically called camera RAW. From this buffer it is saved onto your memory card in the format you have selected in your menu system.
All cameras capture the image in a RAW format, but not all cameras give you the ability to save your image to your card in that format. Some point and shoot cameras give you a mode to save your images in RAW and most digital SLR cameras give you the option to save in RAW format. You typically have several image sizes in your menu to choose from, small, medium, large and each size comes with a level of fineness (normal or fine) that sets the compression algorithm that the JPEG compressor will use to save the image to your memory card. If you have a RAW setting in this menu then your camera will let you save your images as RAW files.
When your camera converts the RAW image data to JPEG, it reduces the color depth from 12 bits to 8 bits of data, so you immediately lose dynamic range of your color. Images with 12 bits of color depth hold 16 times the amount of information that an 8 bit color image has. You lose information in the highlights and shadows that you can never recover. Much of this discarded information is not even noticeable by the human eye, but it’s there, and if you keep it you can use it later to bring out the details in those highlights and shadows.
Lossless vs. Lossy
JPEG also compresses the image data to make the file smaller and part of it’s compression algorithm involves throwing away significant amounts of data. This is called “lossy compression”. You can see why JPEG files are smaller, they are throwing away picture information that your camera doesn’t think you need. Also, when your images are converted to JPEG, certain decisions are made during the compression process regarding camera settings such as white balance and your “creative zones” settings, that affect every pixel.
RAW images are compressed and stored in a lossless format, so all of the image data is preserved. This can make the file HUGE. RAW files also save all of the EXIF data, so it records all of your significant camera settings that can be used to help render your image in your raw converter program.
Why Pros Shoot RAW
Professionals shoot almost exclusively in RAW mode. Why? Because professional photographers want to have as much artistic control over the final result as possible. Why let your camera make your artistic choices for you? Cameras manufacturers are doing a better and better job of producing stunning JPEG images, but if you want to get the most out of your camera, you should consider shooting in RAW.
Disadvantages of Shooting RAW
RAW files can be big. Big image files means less images on your memory card, and more space used up on your hard drive. It also means longer file transfer times from your camera to your computer and more data to backup (you are backing up your pictures, right? If not, try Mozy, up to 2 Gigabytes for free!)
Photolabs, photo printers, and slideshow programs do not know what to do with RAW files, so you have to convert your images to JPEG to share them. This means more steps in your workflow. Special programs called RAW converters are required to convert your RAW files into into widely distributed JPEG files. But the right RAW converter program is where you unlock the artistic potential of your photography.
In my next post I will review several RAW converter programs.
Dean Johnson
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Small Digital Cameras - How to Choose the Right One
December 15th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
The selection and quality available in small digital cameras has never been better. And they keep improving every day.
When digital cameras first came out, they were very expensive, and they were relatively large compared to many of today’s models. These cameras use an image sensor in order to capture image data and save it to the camera so you can instantly see the photos that you have taken, as well as transfer them to computers and printers. These days it is possible to get small digital cameras that work extremely well for between $200 and $600. Which of these compact type cameras is the best for you will depend on which features you find the most important.
Because there are so many choices available to you, it’s necessary to do a little studying before you make a choice. First you will have to decide which features are most important to you. Do you want to have a high resolution, a very compact camera, a good optical zoom, or some of the special features like smile recognition that some of the cameras offer?
Most compact cameras are point and shoot type cameras, although there are a few that have the option to manually change the settings. These are best for amateur photographers rather than professionals.Then you will need to decide what price range you are comfortable with in order to help you narrow down your options. There are numerous websites available with reviews that you can use to get a better idea of the pros and cons of each camera that you are considering.
If you would prefer a really slim camera, the Sony Cyber-Shot T900 is one of the options you should consider. It is only a half inch thick, and very light. It has a touch screen for controls, 12.1 megapixels, and a 4x optical zoom. It does have a relatively short battery life though, so you might want to purchase an extra battery or two to have on hand.
Another popular series for compact digital cameras is the Nikon CoolPix series, including the Nikon CoolPix S70. The CoolPix S70 has a 3.5 inch LCD screen with touch screen controls, 12.1 megapixels, image stabilization and a 5x optical zoom. It is also one of the smaller cameras, measuring 3.8 inches wide, 2.4 inches long, and.8 inches thick. There are some cool features available with this camera, including the ability to tap on a subject to focus and shoot rather than always having to use the shutter button. The battery needs to be charged in the camera however, so you will want to have an extra battery.
Small digital cameras continue to improve in quality. As technology continues to move forward, small sized digital point and shoot and sub sized cameras are gaining features and picture quality that only their big brothers, the DSLR’s, had at one time. Check out the various mini digital cameras and slim digital cameras and after a little research you’ll easily be able to find one that meets your needs and your budget.
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8 Reasons Why You Should Own a Square Picture Frame
December 15th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
If you are looking for a unique and fashionable way to add to your home’s decor, you need to check out square picture frames. Square frames are gaining in popularity with the comeback of square format cameras.
Taking square format pictures was once only used by professional photographers but now are available to just about everyone. Square format cameras can now be found in photography retail stores as well as in places like Urban Outfitters.
Are you wondering what makes these square photo frames so hot?
- One of the top reasons is that square frames have a non-traditional look that provides a wider view of the artwork than a rectangular shape helping it set off almost any piece of art beautifully. If you want to help your images stand out, square photo frames are a great way to make your images catch attention. Professional photographers and artists know that square frames are a great way to showcase their work.
- Art galleries and trendy retailers are now displaying square format photos and cameras. A new generation is discovering all that square format pictures have to offer. Square picture frames are the perfect way to showcase fun and artsy photos for a truly unique display.
- Square picture frames are a stylish alternative to a rectangular shaped frame. Square photo frames, unlike some rectangular frames, can hold both a vertical and horizontal picture either by cutting the picture to fit or by using a mat.
- Do you have an old record album collection that is tucked away in boxes? Whether you have a collection of old 78 or 45 rpm records, there is a square frame available to display your collection. It’s a fun way to showcase your music memorabilia and share your collection with family and friends.
- Another great use for a square picture frame is to display your favorite scrapbook pages. For an interesting and fun display, you can regularly display different scrapbook pages and create a revolving display of memories.
- Square photo frames make a great wall grouping. You can showcase a series of pictures or artwork. Creating a collage of square frames on your wall makes an attractive and eye catching display. Hang the square frames together tightly as a unit or space them evenly across your wall. Either way makes for an interesting display.
- A square picture frame style is simple with no ornamentation. These frames have clean lines in a mix of colors from basic black frames to bold, striking colors like orange, ocean blue or olive green.
- Square picture frames come in a wide variety of sizes and depths so you can frame all kinds of items from pictures to artwork and collectibles like records, embroidery and porcelain plates.
Square picture frames are a great way to make a statement on your wall. They’re stylish and give each photo a distinct look. For a wall that looks professionally decorated, square picture frames can’t be beat. These are a few reasons why square picture frames are so hot, and their popularity is sure to last for many years.
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Portrait Photography Is Easier With Green Screen Software
December 15th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Do you need to find a new way to increase your business? We all need to find new and smarter ways to increase sales, unless you are the only photographer in town. The top technique for increasing business is to offer what your competition barely has a clue about.
You will be able to silently grin watching a customer yawning over boring fabric backgrounds your competition offered him. Have they come back drenched after a rainy photo shoot at a beach, too?
Okay, let’s take your new customers photos with backgrounds all over globe. And don’t worry about the weather. Learn now how to save your clients from posing against a boring background in a professional photograph. Plus meet your budget guidelines better than ever before.
You can quickly and easily place couples against romantic backgrounds such as beaches, rivers, parks, mountains…or anywhere they wish to be. The best part of all is that you will only need a green piece of cloth (green screen) and a computer.
Put up a green screen background, light it up and the customer and let them pose with or without props. Then, use this green screen program wizard to place them in any location they desire. The backgrounds may come from any previous photographs you’ve taken. Or, you may purchase royalty-free photos online for a few dollars.
After over 4 years of development, the green screen wizard software makes using green screen as simple as pie. All you really need to do is plop the customer's green screen photo and the scenec image into the program. Then, the green screen wizard helps you swap the green background with your scenic image. The simple-to-use program makes your customer blend naturally into the chosen background for the real-life look.
As you can see, using this green screen photography program opens up a new door of possibilities. And that all happens without shelling out a fortune or hauling your equipment all over the place.
Let your business grow at warp speed by using the chroma key software. This green screen free guide shows you how to make it happen quickly and with less effort.
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An Introduction To To The Uses Of The Social Media Site Flickr
November 21st, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Flickr is one of the most popular photo sharing websites out there. There are some very popular social networking websites which you have no doubt heard of, but these are often not the best places to share photos. What you probably need to use, is a site like Flickr.
These days, Flickr has been upgraded somewhat are now also allows the sharing of videos. However, if you want something completely private and only had to be able to share photos with your friends, then this is probably not what you want to use. In this case, you can stick with the regular social networking sites which use to keep in contact with your friends and family. In these sorts of cases, it is easy to keep your photos private and only viewable to a select group of friends.
However, most web design and blog building interfaces will allow you to attach photos from this boat or directory directly to your website so as far as your viewers are concerned, the photos might as well be hosted on your website itself. Because the photos are not actually posted on your website, you will save bandwidth and storage space from your hosting company.
This can also help to save you money. However, the biggest advantage is that it makes for a much more efficient way of storing all your data. Are also, if you are a photographer or have anything which requires a large portfolio of work, this site is absolutely invaluable.
This helps you to save money. It helps you to save money simply because you don’t need to pay for any extra bandwidth or space to your web hosting company. Also, you have the convenience of everything being located in one side. This is especially helpful if you own a large number of websites, and you want to have all your image is located in one area which is easy to access.
To get started, you need to do is create a free account. Every account is useful for a lot of people, but if you need to host a larger number of pictures, and get access to a wide range of useful features, you can pay a very modest sum of money per month for it. There are various options available and the right one view largely depends on how much storage space you need and what features to which you need access.
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How To Use Chroma Key For Authentic-Looking Backgrounds
November 21st, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
There can be nothing worse than taking a professional photograph with a squirming 2 year old child, and a parent staring you down for that perfect shot. Add to that other nasty problems such as a boring backdrop, a backdrop that doesn’t belong with the child. Throw in an extra boring background to the sum and the resulting chaos makes you feel a tad on the edge from it all. How can you solve these problems and come out with professional portraits that will make others search you out? Here is how by using chroma key or a.k.a green screen effects.
No one likes to see a phony photographed backdrop when using a professional printed background. Here are some tricks of the trade to assist you.Finding high-quality, realistic props helps a great deal. By using a green screen and the work-horse (fast chroma key software), the work becomes effortless and more profitable when using a digital photograph for the background. On top of that, you can arrange the object and the background just right instead of trying to juggle so many items at a time.
Ask the person to sit right in front of the green screen. Then, insert a prop or two that can create the impression that the person is really present in the digital background.Some examples are to show special time of a birthday with a gift-wrapped present.If the final shot is to be in a flower garden, then have them hold flower props in their hands…or even real flowers. The important factor is to make the photograph look natural.Working with a better quality prop coupled with an equally superior digital background makes for an enchanting natural looking scene.
Props help to draw the viewer into the photograph and make the portrait more emotional.Thisnk about it, which is more eye-catching a person standing or a person holding a soccer award with a smile mile-wide on their face?Many times a prop can tell a whole story all by itself. Imagine a child holding a birthday present untying the bow and the rest of the story unfolds before your eyes.
Bet you would say the same: we all love to hear good stories … and the same goes for photography. Nothing tugs at our heart strings to see a new puppy with its owner. Take that puppy and place it into a park with its favorite ball and you can feel the joy surround the photograph.Props always infuse any portrait with instant emotions and add real life to any photograph. Green Screen Wizard software helps you make it a snap.
Imagine how much fun you will have: how to use green screen software program with your portraits a.k.a chromakey program to create high-quality, real-life looking snapshots of peoples’ lives.
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