ACR / RAW Workflow Newbie Question(s)

[Track40]

Hello Everyone,

I have a few questions about ACR for you. I just started shooting in RAW (thanks to the confidence I gained by watching Michael's FUD DVD, and now that I'm in ACR, I have a couple of quick questions.

My current weapon of choice is a Canon 5D. I just came back from a vacation where I shot the entire thing in RAW -- Prob about 500-600 images. After I loaded up the first one that I'd like to tweak, I noticed at the bottom of the ACR window (in the center), it says "Adobe RGB (1998); 8 bit; 2912 by 4368 (12.7MP); 240ppi" I thought one of the advantages of shooting in RAW was that my image would be at 16-Bit?... Not the 8-Bit that Jpeg is saved as, correct?

I see that when I click on that text (link), I get a dialog box detailing "workflow options" where I can specify the color space, color depth, image size & resolution. Do any of these adjustments have any negative impact on the image (aside from file size)? Is this how I specify that I would like the Image to be 16-bit? I always thought that the image captured by the camera (when set to RAW) was by default, 16-bit?

Lastly, I've seen around the web that people recommend specific workflows when dealing with RAW files... eg. Convert to 16-bit, tweak settings in ACR, push image into Photoshop and make more adjustments, and save the final (full-res) file as a PSD file. Then for Web use, convert back to 8-bit, resize the image, and 'Save For Web' (optimized). Does this sound logical? Why do I have to convert it back to 8bit, won't photoshop do that in the process of saving it for the web/jpeg?

Is there any detailed info I should read to get more on the subject of raw workflow?



Jacob

[MichaelT]

You have it right. The RAW file actually has 12 (now some have 14) bit data that is stored in a 16 bit format. In ACR you can decide what bit depth, color space, and size you would like the RAW file to be processed "into".

If you are going to do further editing in Photoshop (by clicking "Open" in ACR, then it is best to save in 16 bot mode so that the PS adjustments do minimal damage to the image data. If you are done with the file (have finished all of the adjustments that the file needs in ACR and no need to go into Photoshop) then you can save as a high quality JPEG.

Regarding workslow...just do not be confused or led into the belief that every image has to be tweaked in Photoshop. If you get your shooting parameters down, and get a good exposure and a White Balance reference shot, all you should have to adjust for many images is the White balance (can be done in a batch), once you have determined the proper default for your camera and shooting style. You can then set ACR to make the "common" adjustments to all the 5D files when they are opened in ACR.

Hope this helps...

[Track40]

Michael,

Thanks for your reply!

With regards to what you said in your second para, "if you are done with the file (no need to go into photoshop), then you can save as a high quality Jpeg."... do you still convert to a 16-bit file or do you leave it at 8-bit?



Jacob

[MichaelT]

JPEG is always an 8-bit file. Fine for final output (saved at high quality setting), but not appropriate for further editing.