Training on RAW "developing"

**nestor.stura** · 02-12-2018, 07:51 PM

As I am fairly new in digital photograph there's something I would like to learn more about, RAW developing... (I don't know it is correct to denominate developing) I mean, I understand the reason of RAW format, what does it do, etc. But everywhere I find something talking about RAW, it explains the same points.
I would like to learn about the process of creating a final JPG (or other format) starting from RAW.
I work on a Linux PC, so I installed Raw Therapee, with good comments from the "experts", but I do not know what to do with it...

Can you recommend me any course, online preferably, I live far from everywhere!!! Or a book (electronic or not)

Thanks for your advise...

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**Bikerbrent** · 02-12-2018, 08:00 PM

Take a look at RawTherapee Documentation.

**nestor.stura** · 02-12-2018, 08:05 PM

LOL. Sorry for my dummy question, it's the first place I should have look at.
Now I'll start
Thanks a lot.

**480sparky** · 02-12-2018, 08:29 PM

The format itself isn't the crucial point. It's what does the image need to have done to it in order to create the final image you want?

Yes, raw files contain more data than JPEGs, which allows for more heavy-handed editing. But 'processing', whether raw or JPEG, is basically the same steps. Adjust color, contrast, sharpening, tint, cropping, rotating, etc.

**nestor.stura** · 02-12-2018, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by 480sparky

The format itself isn't the crucial point. It's what does the image need to have done to it in order to create the final image you want?

Yes, raw files contain more data than JPEGs, which allows for more heavy-handed editing. But 'processing', whether raw or JPEG, is basically the same steps. Adjust color, contrast, sharpening, tint, cropping, rotating, etc.

Thanks. The reason of my doubt was that in some occasions I want to convert a photo to B&W and although I know that I can do that with GIMP, I suppose that is better to start from a RAW. Am I wrong?

Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

**480sparky** · 02-12-2018, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by nestor.stura

Thanks. The reason of my doubt was that in some occasions I want to convert a photo to B&W and although I know that I can do that with GIMP, I suppose that is better to start from a RAW. Am I wrong?

Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

Raw has far more data in the file to work with. So converting to monochrome results in a far richer conversion. Raw also allows for better results in using 'colored filters', which mimic the color filters used back in the film days to lighten and darken certain colors. So a raw image could easily have a red, orange or yellow filter applied in post to darken a blue sky.