Instruction manual

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and metadata display for RAW photos from most Canon and Nikon digital
cameras on Windows XP.
Browsers are built into most raw conversion programs (e.g., Photoshop,
Photoshop Elements, or the program supplied with your camera such as
Nikon Capture NX), so you can browse and compare thumbnails of your
photos just as you do with JPEG photos.
All cameras store a low-resolution JPEG preview of the RAW file inside
the file itself, and many applications can show this preview. Some
applications also perform an initial raw conversion that yields a very good
image that you may not have to adjust further.
Editing
If you’re using Photoshop or your camera’s raw converter, you’ll convert
your image files, save them (usually as a TIF or Photoshop file), and then
perform any additional edits (if needed) in your normal photo editor.
The raw converter provides tools that will let you alter exposure, white
balance, color and other parameters your camera normally does automatically
when you’re shooting in JPEG mode. Some of the tools are no different that
what you find in your normal photo editor, but some provide capabilities not
found when working with non-RAW images. However, all the edits you make
in a raw converter are non-destructive (i.e., the original file is never altered),
because they don’t contain usable image data.
You usually approach raw conversion the same way you approach any
type of photo editing: Begin with cropping, then correct contrast and tone, and
then correct the color. [Some converters also let you remove dust and spots.]
With RAW files, you may first want to change the white balance of the
image before performing any other edits. Most provide a simple “White
Balance” slider (and eyedropper) that allows you to adjust the white balance
from blue to yellow. Since this adjustment is non-destructive, no tones are
deleted as you make the white balance adjustment. Note: If you use the
eyedropper, click on something that is neutral gray (not white). Therefore, if
possible, make your color adjustments using the white balance adjustment.
The “Exposure” slider in the raw converter is similar to the White Point
slider in the “Levels” dialog box we discussed previously. As you move the
slider the image will get brighter. Be careful not to clip any of the highlight
and shadow tones.
The “Brightness” slider is a midpoint (gamma) adjustment that brightens
or darkens the mid-tones of the image without altering the white and black
points. Again, be careful not to clip any highlights.
Some converters have a “Contrast” slider that simultaneously makes
black and white point adjustments. Watch for clipping on both ends of the
histogram.
Aside from these basic adjustments, many converters provide other
capabilities such as highlight recovery, shadow control, saturation
adjustments, sharpening and noise reduction. Practice with them to become
familiar with their usefulness.