Raw 101: Better Images with Photoshop Elements and Photoshop (Paperback)

by Jon Canfield (Author) "Before you can begin converting your images, you need to get them onto your computer..." (more)
Key Phrases: color noise reduction, custom crop, camera default, Camera Raw, Photoshop Elements, Luminance Smoothing (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"This is a must read for anyone interested in getting the most from their advanced digital camera."
--George Schaub, Editor, Shutterbug Magazine

Now that support for digital RAW capture is built into so many cameras and both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, more photographers are using RAW to seize creative control of their digital images. If you're ready to explore RAW capture, or if you've tried it and bumped into obstacles, this book will show you how to optimize RAW files to achieve optimal results.

The first introductory book on using Adobe Camera Raw, RAW 101 covers all practical aspects of RAW in Photoshop Elements 3 and Photoshop CS2. Just follow the heavily illustrated, step-by-step examples and you'll quickly figure out how to attain the greatest accuracy from your RAW files, whether it's correcting shadow and highlight detail, fixing white balance, or eliminating noise. Once you see the startling results, you'll no longer want to rely on your camera to make critical decisions for you.

Inside, you'll learn everything you need to know to:

• Get your images ready for RAW file conversion
• Navigate the Adobe Camera Raw workspace
• Master RAW conversion controls for exposure, shadows, brightness, and contrast
• Extend beyond the basics to control white balance, color tint, noise, and more
• Automate Camera Raw to optimize your workflow
• Use advanced conversion options in Photoshop CS2, such as curves control, cropping, and straightening
• Put the finishing touches on your images--adjust levels, use filters, resize, and much more!

From the Back Cover
"This is a must read for anyone interested in getting the most from their advanced digital camera."—George Schaub, Editor, Shutterbug Magazine

Now that support for digital RAW capture is built into so many cameras and both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, more photographers are using RAW to seize creative control of their digital images. If you’re ready to explore RAW capture, or if you’ve tried it and bumped into obstacles, this book will show you how to optimize RAW files to achieve optimal results.

The first introductory book on using Adobe Camera Raw, RAW 101 covers all practical aspects of RAW in Photoshop Elements 3 and Photoshop CS2. Just follow the heavily illustrated, step-by-step examples and you’ll quickly figure out how to attain the greatest accuracy from your RAW files, whether it’s correcting shadow and highlight detail, fixing white balance, or eliminating noise. Once you see the startling results, you’ll no longer want to rely on your camera to make critical decisions for you.

Inside, you'll learn everything you need to know to: Get your images ready for RAW file conversion Navigate the Adobe Camera Raw workspace Master RAW conversion controls for exposure, shadows, brightness, and contrast Extend beyond the basics to control white balance, color tint, noise, and more Automate Camera Raw to optimize your workflow Use advanced conversion options in Photoshop CS2, such as curves control, cropping, and straightening Put the finishing touches on your images—adjust levels, use filters, resize, and much more!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Sybex (July 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782144322
• ISBN-13: 978-0782144321
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #531,324 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Simple, Straightforward Explanation, July 28, 2005

By	Conrad J. Obregon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

More and more advanced digital cameras offer a number of file formats for capturing the digital image, including JPG, TIF and RAW. None of these formats, because of the limitations of the camera mechanism, captures as much information about the scene being photographed as the human eye. For example, a photograph that shows detail in bright light will usually show less detail in shadows than the human eye would see. Some of these file formats actually delete some of the data. Serious photographers agree that the RAW format captures the most data from the scene.

When the Adobe Company first came out with Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), the software aimed at extracting the maximum data from the RAW file, there was little information about how to use it. But since Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, which are the most widely used digital imaging programs, both include ACR as part of the package, the knowledge base has continued to increase.

"Camera Raw 101" is a manual, aimed at the relatively inexperienced ACR user, that covers its use in both Photoshop CS2 (the current version of Photoshop) and Photoshop Elements 3 (the reduced capability, but much cheaper version of Photoshop.). After describing the techniques for getting images from the camera to the computer, Canfield describes each of the functions offered in ACR and then tells how to use those functions to get pictures that contain as much information in possible. He finishes up by summarizing the steps that should be taken in Photoshop and Elements after RAW processing. His instructions are simple, clear and easy to follow.

ACR includes several functions that are also available in the main body of Photoshop and Elements. Canfield believes there are functions to usually apply in ACR and others after ACR conversion, but also describes situations where one might process in the opposite fashion.

This is by no means a description of the entire process of moving a picture from camera to print. The emphasis is on the use of ACR. The book's publisher, Sybex, offers several other books that focus on other aspects of image processing like "Photoshop CS2 Workflow" by Tim Grey and "Photo Finish" by Canfield and Grey.

Although the book is aimed at ACR novices, experienced users may still find information about the capability of ACR with which they were not acquainted. I know I did. At the very least, it would provide a useful review of the process.

This book will appeal to those who learn best by lecture. Photographers who like tutorials might want to consider the "Photoshop Artistry" series by Barry Haynes.

I have one complaint about the book. Many of the illustrations are screen grabs from the computer monitor. Unfortunately they are printed so that the size of the image itself is only about 2 and one-half inches square. In the illustrations of digital noise I was unable to see the noise pattern, even with the use of a magnifying glass.

In summary, this is excellent instruction in the use of ACR. Although aimed at the beginner, experienced Photoshop users will probably also derive some benefit.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great way to efficiently learn processing raw files, December 12, 2005

By	R. J. Ravani (Northern California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased a Canon 20D about three months ago. Because this was the first camera I have owned capable of writing to raw, I searched the internet and read articles on the Adobe website (I use CS2) to get an idea about what it was all about. I played around with raw files, but I was not getting anywhere. Then I purchased Raw 101.

First, it is a fairly easy read relative to reading Adobe manuals and Class Room in a Book, so I just took a couple of hours and read it. Then I went to my computer and went chapter by chapter while actually working with my own raw files. I have to say that by the end of the second reading, I felt very comfortable with Adobe Camera Raw and I now use it fairly regularly.

The book is a great way to get a feel for the process. The problem that I have had with other training materials is that you are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material, much of which covers stuff that you will rarely if ever use. On the other hand Raw 101 gets right to the point and teaches you to quickly understand the how to gain the optimum use of raw processing. I also agree with the other reviewer that this book would be helpful to all users whether a beginner or an experienced user.

Although I have used Photoshop for several years, I consider myself a beginner when it comes to Adobe Camera Raw and I found this book invaluable. I highly recommend it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raw 101, March 21, 2006

By	Martin T. Pond - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is very well written. It not only explains clearly but helps to understand the concepts presented. When I finished it I was able to apply what I had read with very little difficulty. He did make a distinction between Adobe Photoshop Elements and its big brother, Photoshop. My interest was in the Elements and it was clear when he was discussing The Elements and Photoshop which was very helpful and carefully done. I highly recommend reading the book to anyone who is just getting started or desiring an understanding of RAW photography.