RAW as a learning aid.

[asalazar]

I recently decided to take some photos of my son and decided to try working in RAW. I discovered that I could apply different camera settings to the RAW image using my camera's software (ViewNX). From this, I thought that maybe shooting in RAW would be helpful as a learning aid so that I could see how the different camera settings would affect my final image. Any thoughts about whether this might have any drawbacks? I don't intend to use this as a crutch, but rather a way to see how each setting would change the image.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

[Steven G Webb]

This thread will quickly turn into the great flame war about the virtues of RAW. Before it gets there I'm going to chime in:

Your editing software is not going to replicate the different settings on the camera. You can't take a motion blur picture and freeze the action by changing the shutter speed in editing. You can't expand the depth of field in editing by stopping down the lens aperture and slowing the shutter speed. Editing RAW format images will not teach you what all the camera controls change at the time of capture. Processing RAW images will teach you processing. If you want to learn what the controls on the camera do, you'll have to adjust them as you are taking the pictures.

Steve

[photolando]

To learn? Personally, I think you will learn how to "capture" images better in jpeg.

I shoot a lot of corporate conferences/conventions. Sometimes, the client wants the images at the end of the day. I do not have time to process raw images so I have to shoot jpeg. That means I better know what to do in order to create a pleasing image for my client on the spot. I have to know what my camera (and flash) are capable of and how to control the shots with no other help from post.

If you capture images with the mind set that you won't do anything to the images later, trust me, your raw file will be easier to work on and look even better than if you have the mindset of "I'll fix it later."

[ksgal]

I think it is a great idea. It will give you a better idea of what the settings of your camera do, and then you can adjust them to your personal taste. Shoot in raw + jpg mode and then you can compare the camera output to the other options and then go back and adjust the style applied to the jpg accordingly.

Another thing to learn is how to set white balance. Put that on the list, you'll be glad you did.

[quantumhelp]

Shooting Raw, to see what can be changed is good. It will give you some feeling of what is capable. However, as mentioned by others, there is so much more involved in shooting the image digitally. Basically, the basic principles of photography should be adhered to when shooting. Raw is not a bucket wherein you can pull out anything that you want,

[Henrycrafter]

I don't know about raw as a learning tool, but I shoot 90% of my work in raw.
I shoot mostly architecture and landscape.
I use a 20d as a digital back to my Sinar F view camera.
Lens is Rodenstock 180/550

[deluco]

You can shoot crap in Raw just as easily as you can shoot crap in jpg. You can learn (or not learn) just as much with either shooting mode.

[RV]

[Larry D]

If you are relatively new to photography, any experience will teach you something..

You can apply different settings in post/software, and it may be possible to learn from this exercise, but I'm not sure of the value of such a teaching aid..

It will likely not teach you how to observe your subject in relation to the available light, proper aperture for Depth of Field, or shutter speed choice for the action... All things that must be properly set before you ever press the shutter..

[Mithras]

Much has already been said about the advantages of making adjustments to a photo in post processing. Sure you can get a basic idea of how certain settings might affect a shot but the question is what are you learning. If the idea is to learn how to process a photo to get a particlular look then this approach might be the way to go.

If the idea is to learn how to capture better shots then consider taking advantage of digital capture by making various adjustments at the time of the capture to see how the adjustments affect the shot. There is great truth to the adage of "Get it right at the time of the shot in the camera." If you do that then post processing will be much easier. At least that has been my experience in making the jump from JPEG to RAW.

Enjoy.