| Once you're familar with the workflow
on how to proceed
the conversion of RAW format , it's amazing how easy it all seems . The
secret , if there is any , is to use the right tools in the right order
. RAW format provides a ' digital negative ' which contains all the data
, untouched , straight out the camera . All settings can be choosen or
applied AFTER the RAW files have been downloaded to your pc .This means
no loss happens .
My workflow is as follow , but one has to test and to choose which method and software fits him best .( D60 ) 1 - I download my RAW files to the pc using a card reader . Many brands and models are available and all should do the job . 2 - I transfer the files in a folder I named ' CRW ' . 3 - To view my files prior to convert them , I use YARC+ . A first choice of the files to keep is done here . It's very easy to choose the settings and apply them . 4 - I convert the files I retained into 16bits Linear to allow the best possible transformation at a later stage . The TIFF files generated are 38Mb . One can choose to opt for 8bits Linear , which produces 18Mb files . Once the CRW files are stored in my CRW folder , I run YARC+ . ( BreezeBrowser and Scott's Professional Photo Studio will do the job in a similar manner but I use Michael Tapes' en Bruce Henderson's software since Yarc and Yarxshell . Also , I like the special functions like ARF and the familiar interface . The converted CRW files are sent to my TIFF folder ( automated in Yatc+ ). At this stage they look very dark
5 -They , now , need to be ' translated ' in visible and real looking photographic files . I use Colin's Linear Converter for my D60 files ( http://www.pbase.com/colinwalker/pro ) . Fred Miranda's excellent LP batch Converters will do the job as well if not better and , these are available for almost any Canon digital camera ( not only for dslr's ) .
Pekka's LinearSharpen for D60 is another brand new Linear Converter . A converted file looks like this :
6 - In ideal conditions , the picture doesn't need any tweakening but we don't live in a perfect world and adjustments are almost always necessary . For this , I use PS7 . Common adjustments ( levels , curves , sharpening , etc ) can be done on 16bits files but , one will need to set them in mode 8bits to tweaken further . 7 -To enhance the look and quality of my files , I use Fred's Digital Velvia , CS Pro ( sharpener ) , his Frames action and B&W action to transform my files in monochrome , duotone , tritone , quadtone , etc ...
8 - I burn all my files ( CRW , CRW_Thm , Tiff , Exif ) on Cd's . The final Tiff files are for printing on my Epson Photo 1290 and for displaying on the net , a JPEg is created ( level 5 in PS ) and resized to 1000 x 666 pixels ) . 9 - I assign Adobe RGB1998 ICC profile from the beginning to the end of my processing . Monitor , files converted in Yarc+ , PS and Epson ptinter . I , even , don't convert them to sRGB for web publishing . 10 - My files are printed on Epson Matte Paper - Heavyweight which is dirt cheap compared to other photo papers and , which gives outstanding results and longevity . |
