Target Audience Photographers new to digital processing Those unsure about the various software packages available Anyone wanting to broaden their knowledge Agenda Why processing is important. File Formats Why Raw? Image sizing & the DPI thing Workflow and Metadata An Overview of Software

1. An Introduction to
Digital Processing
Leigh Garner - March 2012

2. Target Audience
• Photographers new to digital processing
• Those unsure about the various software
packages available
• Anyone wanting to broaden their
knowledge
Disclaimer: These opinions are my own (or those I found on the Internet) and are
presented solely in my capacity as a keen amateur photographer.

3. Agenda
• Why processing is important.
• File Formats
• Why Raw?
• Image sizing & the DPI thing
• Workflow and Metadata
• An Overview of Software

4. Why Processing is important
Post-processing photos can be a controversial topic
It shouldn’t be – first step: lose the misconception!
• Many of todays Digital processing techniques originate
from the Darkroom
• It’s all part of the creative process
• Can help you learn a great deal about how to take
photos by looking at those you have taken before
• Even small adjustments can make a big difference

5. If you’ve been thinking that processing
is an extra step you don’t have time for
you’re missing the point
It’s an extra opportunity to learn more,
make better photos and become a better
photographer.
Neil Creek - professional photographer & author of dPS‟s new eBook – Photo Nuts and Post: a Guide to Post Processing Your Images
Read more: http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-post-processing-helped-me-become-a-better-photographer

6. Examples
• Small adjustments can make big
improvements
• How the creative process can be
continued in post
• Photo Manipulation & how the image
capturing is only the start

7. File formats
• JPEG
• TIFF
• RAW
• DNG

8. JPEG (.jpg)
• The most commonly used digital image format
• Like an MP3 it‟s a „Lossy‟ format.
• Some original image information is discarded and
cannot be restored.
• A trade-off between file size and image quality.
• What I didn’t know?
• Compresses colour more than detail. Our eyes
are more sensitive to detail than to colour.
• Discards the fine detail first because our eyes
are more sensitive to coarse detail

9. JPEG (.jpg)
• When editing an image in several sessions, it is
recommended to save the intermediate image in
an uncompressed format such as TIFF or PSD.
• If you save an image in JPEG, close it, open it
again and save it again with the same quality
setting, the file size will not reduce further, but
quality will have degraded further. So only
compress after all editing is done.
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Digital_Imaging/JPEG_01.htm

10. TIFF (.tif)
Universal image format that is compatible with most
image editing and viewing programs.
• Can be compressed in a „lossless‟ way (ZIP/ LZW)
• Widely used as a final format in the printing and
publishing industry.
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Digital_Imaging/TIFF_01.htm
• What I didn’t know?
• Adobe holds the copyright on the TIFF
specification.

11. RAW
• Raw = unprocessed - contains the original image
information as it comes off the sensor.
• Raw = digital negative - same role as negatives in
film photography.
• Proprietary formats - dozens if not hundreds of
such formats (NEF, CRW, ARW etc…..)
• Many of the formats are similar – but with
proprietary features to each brand.
We come onto Why Raw later……

12. DNG
• Digital Negative (DNG) - Publicly Available
Open raw image format owned by Adobe
• Adobe: “DNG helps ensure that photographers will
be able to access their files in the future”
• Adobe has submitted DNG to ISO for incorporation
into their revision of ISO 12234-2:2001
• ‘Increasingly, professional archivists, working for
respectable organizations, variously suggest or
recommend DNG for archival purposes’

13. DNG
• Statistics:- 6th anniversary, September 2010
Camera manufacturers: 14
Camera models: 47
Software products: 240+
Convertible raw image formats: 290+
• Except Pentax, no camera manufacturer with a
large market share of dSLRs use DNG in their
cameras.

14. Why Raw?
• I‟m going to be mostly making the case for….but
there are arguments against:
• Time
• File size
• Proprietary file formats

15. Why Raw?
It‟s a personal choice….but I present to you:
The facts

16. Why Raw?
Fact one: What I didn’t know?
• At issue is Colour-Depth
• When you take a digital photograph light falls onto
the sensor.
• The camera records the level of the light falling
onto each of the pixels on the sensor.
• Most modern digital SLR cameras will record in
either a 12 or 14 bit format.

17. Why Raw?
• Basically, the higher the bit depth, the more levels
of brightness can be recorded and image quality
improves.
• The math (especially for Donald)
• A bit is a binary digit, either a 1 or a 0.
• If 12 bits are recorded then your camera is
capable of distinguishing 4,096 (2^12) different
brightness levels at each pixel.
• If 14 bits are recorded - can distinguish 16,384
(2^14) different brightness levels.

18. Why Raw?
To put this into perspective
• JPEGs are 8 bit files, which means that they
contain only 256 brightness levels at each pixel.
• A considerable reduction compared to the 16,384
that your camera may be recording to begin with.
• If you shoot only JPEG, you automatically throw
away at least 4 bits of information that the sensor
captured.

19. Why Raw?
Fact one:
Shooting in RAW means that the camera will record a
file that contains all the “raw” data from the sensor.
All the glorious 14 bits of colour
and brightness

20. Why Raw?
Fact two:
• On top of the colour depth issue…..what else do
we know about JPEGs?
• They‟re „lossy‟ ……that is….. Compressed.
• Some original image information is discarded and
cannot be restored.
JPEG is a ‘lossy’ format

21. Why Raw?
Fact three:
• Many camera settings which were applied to the
Raw data can be changed in processing software.
• For instance White balance, sharpening, levels
and colour adjustments can be undone and
recalculated based on the raw data.
• Yes you can adjust these in a JPEG…..but they're
„baked in‟.

22. Why Raw?
Fact three :
• You are able to extract shadow and highlight detail
which would have been lost in the JPEG.
• You‟re NOT giving up part of the creative process
to a Japanese software engineer!
The Flexibility of RAW

23. Why Raw?
In summary:
1. All the glorious 14 bits of
colour and brightness
2. JPEG is a ‘lossy’ format
3. The Flexibility of RAW

24. Why Raw?
Further reading:
http://leadinglinesphotography.net/tutorials/on-line/understanding-on-
line/raw
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Digital_Imaging/RAW_01.htm
http://www.slrlounge.com/raw-vs-jpeg-jpg-the-ultimate-visual-guide

25. What have we learnt so far?
• Shoot Raw when possible
• Save intermediate images in an
uncompressed format such as TIFF or PSD
• Only Save to JPEG for output

26. Image Sizing & the DPI thing..
A minefield?
• It’s important to understand the difference
between Pixel Dimensions & Document Size.
• A digital photo's resolution is determined by
its pixel dimensions.
• Regardless of what Adobe call resolution, if
the Pixels don't change, the photo remains the
same resolution.

27. Image Sizing & the DPI thing..

28. Image Sizing & the DPI thing..

29. Image Sizing & the DPI thing..
Pixel Dimensions = what's physically in the file
Document Size = How it will be printed
DPI – it‟s just a number!
• It is a very tiny string in the header of a file.
• It's not actually part of the image.
• It doesn't change the digital photo in any way.
• Some software will use it to set the paper
output or display dimensions.

30. Image Sizing & the DPI thing..
Not convinced?
Read: All About Digital Photos - The Myth of DPI
http://www.rideau-info.com/photos/mythdpi.html
For the best results for display in club competitions:
1920 x 1080 will exceed the projector resolution of
1400 x 1050

31. Workflow & Metadata
How many photos did you take last year?
How many will you have in 5 years?
Are you utilising the advantage of Digital?
– No? Just buy Lightroom!
What is Metadata?
Data that describes data
– what could be more beautiful!

32. Workflow & Metadata
• Get organised….have a structure.
• Do the same thing for every shoot.
• Use Keywords…..
Tip: for folder and filenames:
- Use the format YYYY-MM-DD
- ie. 20120315
- Allows folders/files to be viewed in sort order

33. Software Overview
• By no means a comprehensive list
• But there is more than PhotoShop
• It's very much a personal thing
• Ask yourself:
• How much do I want to spend?
• How much time do I want to INVEST?
• How easy is it to get support?

34. Software Overview
Adobe Camera Raw (ACR)
• Processor for Raw Images
• A plugin used by Photoshop, Elements & Bridge.
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is built upon the
same raw processing technology.
• There are alternatives:
• Manufacturers Software
• Bibble. LightZone. Capture One. NX2. DXO
• And of course Lightroom

35. Software Overview
Adobe DNG Converter
• A free utility that converts Raw files from more
than 350 cameras to the DNG format.
• Useful:
• As a single raw processing solution when
handling raw files from multiple camera models.
• Or for example using an old version of PS or
Elements

36. Software Overview
Picasa
• Free software from Google for Organising Photos
with some editing functions.
• Suited to Photographers:
• On a budget & don‟t want a steep learning curve
• Happy with simple enhancements
• Not comfortable with complex software
• Alternative: iPhoto (Mac only)

37. Software Overview
Lightroom
• Designed to streamline and accelerate the serious
digital photographer‟s workflow.
• Suited to Photographers:
• Process Raw files and understand the need for
image management.
• Don‟t mind a medium learning curve.
• Doesn‟t exclude those that use Photoshop.
• Alternative: Aperture (Mac only). Bridge?

38. Software Overview
Photoshop Elements
• Edit & enhance Photos. Use one-stop or manual
adjustments. A good learning process for full PS.
• Suited to Photographers:
• Who don't already own Photoshop CS
• Don‟t mind a medium learning curve
• Probably now has 95%+ of PS photography
tools.
• Alternative: Paintshop Pro

39. Software Overview
Photoshop CS

40. Software Overview
Photoshop CS
• Digital imaging software with a strong focus on
photography. Tools for superior image selections,
realistic painting, and more…
• Suited to Photographers:
• Professionals or serious amateurs.
• Don‟t mind a steep learning curve.
• Want to do serious image manipulation.
• Alternative: Gimp - free

41. Software Overview
Others
• Capture NX2 – For Nikon. Built by Nik software.
• Gimp - a freely distributed program for such tasks
as photo retouching, image composition and
image authoring.
• Paint.Net – Free. Windows only.
• DxO Optics Pro - Adapts very specifically to your
equipment. Each camera-lens combination is the
subject of a very precise analysis.

42. Software Overview
Conclusion
• Choose a Package that suits you.
• Buy a book.
• Learn it.
Because you're worth it!