Chris
I actually always shot RAW until about 6 months ago. As I now spend a lot of time shooting kids - typically 150-200 shots in a session - I've found that the RAW workflow is just too demanding, and rarely bother.
Just last week I actually did use RAW as the circumstances were different and I've been fighting with the set of files ever since.
Usually (not always, I admit) the 20D does a good enough job with jpgs for it not to be an issue. I did, however, upgrade Zoombrowser and DPP. The new ZB is an improvement, but I'm not keen on DPP, prefering Capture One. And as for CS2? The reason I haven't upgraded is simply cost - PS7 does almost everything I need at the moment.
Phil
Phil, I noticed what you said about RAW, which was totally my feeling up until this last week or so. I downloaded the latest Canon apps, which were updated this month I think, and a tool for windows. The tool for windows allows you to see RAW files like any others, JPEG and so on, and the new ZoomBrowser from Canon lets you see the raw files (all before processing). Those two things were the biggest thing holding me back from RAW, as I hated that I couldn't easily browse my files if they hadn't been processed. If you work in Windows, and would like the like to the windows app the me know in the forum thread and I will post it, otherwise the other software is on the Canon download site. I also upgraded to CS2 and do my RAW conversion there when I open up the files. I have heard that CS2 is a memory beast, so you might want to watch out there, I haven't noticed, but I have a lot of memory. Chris
Hi Olaf - no exif because I "saved for web" - all those leaves play havoc with the compression.
Yes, you're absolutely correct, shot at around midday, so bright sunlight (not that we've seen any since... welcome to Autumn in the UK). No polarizer, not RAW (can't be bothered with RAW these days, too much effort!), and I'm sruck with PS7 so no shadow/highlight tool!
I actually wasn't going to submit any photos from these as I wasn't really happy with any of them, but doubt I'll get another opportunity to go out and about.
Thanks for your comments, though, always appreciated.
Phil
Guest
13-Oct-2005 20:30
IMO, this shot looks better darkened some in the highlights and midtones. This could be achieved in a number of ways: shadow/highlight adjustment (only adjusting the 'highlights' and 'color correction' sliders, shadows slider set to 0), levels, curves to mention just a few. If you shot this in RAW, you could also try to underexpose a stop or so in the "development".
Guest
13-Oct-2005 20:20
There is no exif so I can't tell exactly at what time of day this was shot, but I think the biggest "flaw" in this, is the time of day in which it was shot. The sun is too high and too bright. A polarizer could have helped cut the glare in the leaves, but perhaps it would also have killed the nice reflection in the water. I bet this could have been a really nice photo, if shot earlier or later in the day.
