Why You Should Try Manual Raw Photography

Manual RAW camera refers to a camera that allows the user to manually adjust camera settings such as shutter speed, ISO, focus, and exposure compensation, among others. RAW images contain more data than JPEGs, allowing for more extreme adjustments to be made to the image without a loss in quality. Additionally, shooting in RAW allows for easy white balance adjustments and the ability to save multiple JPEG copies without degrading the original file. Manual RAW camera apps are available for smartphones, such as the iPhone, and offer similar functionality to that of a professional camera.

Manual camera controls

Shutter speed refers to the length of time a camera's shutter is open, exposing light onto the camera sensor. A slower shutter speed lets in more light and is ideal for low-light settings or creating motion blur effects. Conversely, a faster shutter speed is suitable for capturing fast-moving objects or freezing action in sports and wildlife photography.

ISO measures the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. A higher ISO setting increases the sensor's sensitivity, allowing for better low-light photography but at the cost of potentially more noise or grain in the image. In bright lighting conditions, a lower ISO setting is preferable to capture sharp and clear images.

Focus, or depth of field, refers to the area of the image that appears sharp. Manual focus allows photographers to select the specific area they want to be in focus, such as a subject in the foreground with a blurred background. This is particularly useful in portrait photography.

Exposure compensation adjusts the brightness or darkness of an image. Increasing exposure compensation makes the image brighter, while decreasing it makes the image darker. This is useful when the camera's automatic settings are not producing the desired results, such as in high-contrast lighting conditions.

RAW image format

RAW files are typically much larger than other file types, such as JPEG, as they capture all of the data from the camera's sensor. This results in higher image quality and more flexibility in post-processing. However, this also means that RAW files take up more storage space and require additional processing time.

Most digital cameras offer the option to shoot in RAW format, and it is a popular choice among professional photographers as it provides more information and flexibility for editing. RAW files can be processed using software such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, which allow users to adjust various settings such as white balance, brightness, and noise reduction.

While RAW files offer superior image quality and editing capabilities, they are not as widely compatible as other formats and require specialised software to open and edit. Additionally, the lack of standardisation among camera manufacturers means that different cameras may use different RAW formats, further adding to the complexity of working with this file type.

Overall, RAW image format is a powerful tool for photographers who want to capture the highest quality images and have maximum flexibility in post-processing. However, it comes with the trade-off of larger file sizes and the need for additional processing steps.

Exposure

When reviewing your RAW files on your camera, the live histogram gives you a good idea of your exposure, but it has limitations. It's only a preview and may not offer an RGB histogram. You can get a more detailed view during playback, which is crucial for confirming if you got the right exposure or need to make adjustments.

For an even more accurate assessment, reviewing your RAW files on a computer with professional software like Lightroom is ideal. You can make precise adjustments to your images and truly understand the limits of your camera's ability to recover shadow detail.

Additionally, when shooting in RAW, it's important to note that exposure compensation can influence your images. Exposure compensation alters the exposure values used by the camera, including shutter duration, aperture, and sensitivity (ISO). This, in turn, affects the intensity of light captured in your RAW files.

To balance exposure in post-processing, software like Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) is useful. You can adjust the shadows, highlights, whites, and blacks sliders to fine-tune your image and achieve the desired look. Keep in mind that the order in which you make these adjustments is flexible, and you can go back and forth until you're happy with the result.

In summary, exposure is a critical aspect of photography, and understanding how to get the correct exposure in-camera and during post-processing will help you create more compelling images, especially when shooting in RAW.

ISO

The typical ISO range for professional camera bodies starts at a base value of around 100 and can increase to about 32,000. A higher ISO means the camera is amplifying light at a higher rate of intensity, making the image appear brighter. When you double your ISO, you roughly double the brightness of the image.

It is important to note the difference between "native" and "extended" ISO. Native ISO refers to the authentic range for your specific camera, usually 100 to 32,000, while "extended" ISO is a marketing gimmick that may disappoint in terms of image quality.

While ISO can save an image, it can also destroy detail if not used correctly. It is important to understand when and how to adjust your ISO for the best results.

Shutter speed

On the other hand, a short or fast shutter speed can freeze motion, even from fast-moving objects like birds in flight. This technique is often used in sports photography to capture sharp, freeze-frame photos.

To adjust shutter speed, you can set your camera to “Shutter Priority” mode, where you choose the shutter speed and the camera automatically selects the aperture. Alternatively, you can set your camera to “Manual” mode and choose both the shutter speed and aperture manually.

Frequently asked questions