Why I shoot 'raw'

Why do I choose to shoot 'raw'?

lets start things of with what 'raw' means. 'raw' is an image that has been taken directly from the sensor to a memory storage device. The 'raw' image has not been edited by the camera. A 'raw' file has also had meta data attached to it. this data will include things such as shutter speed, aperture, focal length, lens model, camera model and many more.

With a 'raw' file you get a lot more flexibility with your image. You can control allot of things in post processing. these things vary depending on your software. I use canons own photo editing software DPP. In this software you can control things like exposure compensation, white balance, colour tone weather you want more shadows or brighter highlights, clipping the whites or the blacks, sharpness and many others

This control can be the difference between getting the shot you want or having to press the delete button and missing the moment.

If you choose to shoot in a 'raw' format you must first check you have suitable software to edit the file and convert into different formats.

As with nearly anything it is down to personal preference what format you choose to use as there are pro's and cons with both JPEG an 'raw' formats

PRO'S

JPEG 

• instant capture of a moment with out the need to edit to upload to the net or to print
• great for memory shoots (point and shoot)
• smaller file size (could also be seen as con)

'raw'  

• more post processing power
• larger file size (could also be seen as a con)
• more artistic flare can be implemented
• more stored meta data

CONS

JPEG

• less control over post processing
• smaller file size (again maybe seen as a pro)

'raw'

• limited software that can read and edit 'raw' files
• more time in post processing
• not able to print or share via the web instantly
• not all camera models can shoot 'raw'
• a number of different 'raw' formats used
• large file size (again could be seen as a pro)

My Macro Technique

Water drops on a leaf
shutter speed 1/200, aperture f22, ISO100
2 flash setup
macro tubes

I often wish I could afford a true macro lens but alas I cannot. I have tried a few options in the past, starting with my 18-55mm lense.

I then brought a set of theses polaroid close up filters. I found these were pretty lame as they are not very good optically. If you are to only use say the +1, +2 and +4 on there own you can sometimes get a semi decent photo but steer clear of the +10 and using them in combination.

I went on to buy a canon 75-300mm zoom lens, I got a few good macro shots out of this lens on its own. The down side is that zoomed at the 300mm range the focus distance is 150cm.

A few months ago brought a set of manual macro tubes. These only work with my 75-300mm lens but they have the plus side of not containing any optics, so aslong as they fit the optic quality is that of the lens attached. Down side you loose any mechanical features of said lens, such as focus 'IS' and aperture control. The loss of focus and 'IS' is not such a big problem as i feel you get a better result from manually focusing the lens. as far as 'IS' is concerned it shouldn't be a problem as for most cases you should and probably us a tripod. The lack of aperture control is a very big downside. I have to set the aperture manually via having the lens set to say 'F22' pressing the aperture preview button and while holding that button release the lens from the body and then add your macro tubes.

With the above method the settings in camera are still very important.

I tend to keep my lens at the 75mm end, manual mode, pop-up flash on, yongnuo flash unit set to slave mode 'S1'.

In camera i tend to set ups as follows.

• Shutter speed 1/125 - 1/200 of a second
• Aperture preset at 
• ISO100 - 200
• Auto white balance
• RAW
• Pop-up flash on

The yongnuo flash settings

• S1 mode
• Zoomed to 50mm
• 7/8th power
• Rotated to 90degrees
• Bounce card out

Macro set up

I will just mention that if you spend around £50 for your macro tubes you can get them with the electronic connectors.

my camera gear

In today's post I am going to show what kit I have collected over the last year.

camera gear

Starting from the back right.

• Camera bag. I have actually got 2 identical ones so i don't have to carry all my gear at the same time.
• Sturdy tripod

middle row from the right

• A selection of filters including a polarising filter, nd8 neutral filter and some macro filters
• Canon zoom lens EF 75-300mm 4-5.6 III
• Shutter release
• Canon EFS 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 kit lens
• Canon 550D body
• Manual macro extension tubes
• Yongnuo YN560 speedlite

Front row from the right

• Selection of batteries (i have 3 in total)
• Memory cards (i carry 2 at all times)
• Iwinka wireless triggers and receivers for flash

My kit is by no means professional but it is within my budget and it gets the job done