why does JPG look better than RAW?

[robertdavid]

Hi,

I am a beginner with CS3 and the NEF conversion process. When I open a NEF file in CS3, I get this preview window, where I can do all these adjustments to the image, including exposure, recovery, temperature, etc. QUESTION: I'm assuming these are the raw file adjustments that one does before saving the file as a tiff/jpg/etc. and working on it thereafter in photoshop?

What I've noticed is that the default JPG of the same NEF file (I shoot both) simply looks better to many people than the NEF when I show them prints side by side. Is the object to try and make the NEF look like the JPG if the original JPG looks good to me?

If the JPG came out of the camera looking very good, is there any need to do work with the NEF file?


Thanks,
R.

[swampler]

Good question. I find the jpeg files from my 50D very difficult to beat with RAW files. White balance and exposure latitude are about the only reasons to bother with RAW anymore, IMO. And I ONLY shot RAW with the 30D, sports excluded.

[Eero Makela]

What camera are you using?
You may need to update the Raw Converter in CS3

I use to hate the way it handled my D300 RAW files until the latest RAW converter update

[blumesan]

A NEF file is, by definition, a RAW file. It is essentially unedited until you open it (and you can only open it in ACR, not directly in PS). The jpeg file has been edited in-camera according to whatever settings you have made in the camera menu, and it is not unusual that it may appear better than the RAW file before you have made any adjustments to the latter. So, as you suggest, the object is to make edits in ACR so that the image looks just as good (or perhaps better) than the jpeg. The advantage to the RAW file is that you have a great deal more lattitude for making the desired adjustments than you have with the jpeg file.

[robertdavid]

I am using a D80. I'm not sure what blumesan means by ACR, but until I installed CS3, there was no way for me to open my NEF files, which now I AM able to open. I get this large dialogue within PS with the image on the left and a bunch of sliders on the right for Recovery, Temp, Contrast, Brightness, Exposure, etc ... Now I have to update my RAW converter? Really?

[PrestonSmith]

Get the Camera 2 beta profiles, once you install them go to the Camera Icon in ACR and choose from the drop down list ...pick "Adobe Standard" or "Camera Beta 2" ... you'll see a big improvement.

Link to Adobe profiles:
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/entitle...cameraprofiles

And play with those sliders on the Basic adjustment screen in ACR, your JPGs are likely already sharpened and saturated. Once you have found what you like you can save all the settings as the default in ACR or save it as a preset that you can easily apply.

[Eero Makela]

Originally Posted by PrestonSmith

Get the Camera 2 beta profiles, once you install them go to the Camera Icon in ACR and choose from the drop down list ...pick "Adobe Standard" or "Camera Beta 2"

Link to Adobe profiles:
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/entitle...cameraprofiles

What Preston said he beat me to it. That is the best solution.

[Eero Makela]

Originally Posted by robertdavid

Now I have to update my RAW converter? Really?

The OLD RAW converter did a poor job out of the box for Nikon RAW files as Nikon kept it a secret (it is their proprietary format and CS3 was only able to read some of the settings)

[robertdavid]

Update! I looked at the window that pops up when I open the NEFs and it says Camera Raw 4.0.

My options to adjust are:

White Balance, Temperature, Exposure, Recovery, Fill Light, Blacks, Brightness, Contrast, Vibrance, Saturation ....

I have no idea which ones to adjust ... Just based on my own preferences?

[blumesan]

Originally Posted by robertdavid

I am using a D80. I'm not sure what blumesan means by ACR, but until I installed CS3, there was no way for me to open my NEF files, which now I AM able to open. I get this large dialogue within PS with the image on the left and a bunch of sliders on the right for Recovery, Temp, Contrast, Brightness, Exposure, etc ... Now I have to update my RAW converter? Really?

ACR is short for Adobe Camera Raw. It is a Photoshop plugin which is automatically started whenever you attempt to open a RAW file and the file must be processed first (converted) in ACR before you can open it in the full Photoshop CS3 application. The controls you describe above are part of ACR and they are used to control the edits which occur in the RAW conversion process. And yes, by and large you use these controls to adjust the image to your own satisfaction. It would be a very good idea to search for some information and tutorials on how best to use the controls in ACR.

If your system is operating correctly it is not necessary to update your RAW converter (ACR) but it is a good idea since some improvements have been made since version 4.0. A simple way to update is to just choose Help>Update from either the Bridge or PS menus.