Art of RAW Conversion: How to Produce Art-Quality Photos with Adobe Photoshop CS2 and Leading RAW Converters

Reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher

Authors: Uwe Steinmueller &Jurgen Gulbens No Starch Press, Inc. 555 De Naro Street, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94107 http://nostarch.com Released: June 2006 Pages: 240 $40 USD ISBN-10: 1-59327-067-4 ISBN-13: 978-1-59327-067-4

Strengths: Very complete set of readings and tutorials on the use of RAW format for digital photography. Breadth and depth of content is excellent. Exception information about commercial, free PC and Mac RAW format converter programs plus in-depth tutorials to learn how to use these applications. Well written and easy to understand. The colorful screen shots are well done and help illustrate points the tutorials are focusing upon. Picking and choosing which one you want to use is outlined in this book.   Weaknesses: No CD. Since you might not use all the different software packages, you might not want to read some of the chapters. But they are handy to browse for gaining a better idea what the different conversions do and don’t do and their advantages and disadvantages, especially should you decide to upgrade. Some of the RAW converters, which range in different prices, are free with software, some are shareware (try and buy later) or are commercially available.   Novice/Intermediate/Advanced

Introduction

 

The RAW format is being used by more and more photographers. With RAW format, the user has more control with their photos and ultimately creating better final photos. However conversion from RAW needs to take place before the final photo is created for making your pictures better. Many advanced users have used this format for a long time but now intermediate and even novice users are using this format or learning how to use these formats. While you can search far and wide for books on the topic, one of the best places for starting is right here at Art of The Raw Conversion, for several reasons.

 

A book that will assist you with using RAW, needs to include both methods, procedures, tutorials and step-by-step instructions. Both authors, whom are active pioneers with the use of RAW digital processing and the use of digital cameras and workflow process have created a great book. Mr. Gulbins founded an online magazine and has focused on the using of RAW format , digital work and printing, Mr. Gulbins has written more then 25 books on a variety of computer and digital photographic topics. It is evident within this book, that they are able to communicate and convey a wide array of resources, tutorials and information concerning RAW format.

 

This 240- book is packed with much helpful information within its 14 Chapters. The multitude of text makes for good reading but you have to watch carefully for certain ideas that are really important (as they are not in bold). The colorful screen shots are well done and help illustrate points the tutorials are focusing upon. Screenshots of the software tools and what these do in the process also help, but there are no extra guide pointers in the shots to highlight what the main intent of showing the photo is (you have to hunt around a little).

 

Each page has 2 or 3 sectioned columns which make for easy browsing, reading and understanding. The tutorials are well written and provide an exceptional understanding regarding the use of RAW. Mac and Windows platforms are represented as both authors work on them so that the user with either platform won’t get lost in the shuffle.

 

What is exceptional about this book is that the authors have crafted a book, that is not only intuitively written but that highlights the commercial, free and camera bound software that can be used for conversion of RAW format for use by your editors. The pros and cons of each pieces of software are highlighted and his gives the user ideas of which converter might be better for their uses. Some of these converters work for Mac OS, PC or even both platforms and this is also highlighted. This information widens the appeal of the book. But it is the language by the author that makes it a real good read as well.

 

The authors’ tone is personable and clear. They ” speaks to you” and have great insight into the “little things” that are important, many that you might never know or think about. They don’t just say “what to do” but they actively explain the “ whys and how’s” of the procedures by using short tutorial like paragraphs. You are immersed in the process and don’t just glimpse of the process. The information is covered not in breadth but depth as well about RAW.

 

Chapter 1, introduced RAW so the first time user can start from the beginning. Chapter 2, focus is on basic color management which gives an insight into beginning your work and knowing about light.

 

Chapter 3, “Basic raw workflow” begins in ernest to convey the procedures that are needed. The rest of the chapters explain how to utilize Adobe camera raw, Pixmantec raw shooter (RS), Apple ‘s Aperture program. Other RAW converters are covered as well. Also more about Adobe lighthouse, Perfecting images, and Batch processing, metadata, color conversion techniques and black & white techniques are also included which really rounds out much to discover.

 

The Appendix A is a nice glossary while Appendix B section has information about the different converters.

 

Conclusion

 

I can’t think of a better book to begin your “RAW journey”. I wish I had found this book a little sooner. My questions about RAW would have been answered much earlier. This is a great book from start to finish. The content is authoritative, very each easy to read and understand. It is a great one for novice RAW photographers to begin with but also intermediates. Advanced users might also learn a new trick or two. I recommend this book highly. I will use it to work with RAW photographs to see how I can make my photos better with RAW. So give it a try and see what RAW can do for you.