Today's blog is for beginners.  If you already process raw files you are not going to learn anything new today.  If you are new to raw, let's get cooking.  So you shot raw and have files that need to be developed, now what?  You will need software to help you.  Your camera came with software for this purpose.  Canon supplied a program called Digital Photo Professional while Nikon supplied Capture. There are lots of other programs to, such as Adobe Light Room, Photoshop, and Apple aperture (and many more).

          Open your file in the software of your choice.  I happen to use Adobe Photoshop CC.  Before we continue, please allow me to say that every photographer has a different workflow.  What I do may not suite you.  Play around and find what works for you.  Now that my file is open I adjust the following:

• I move the exposure slider to where I like the image;
• I adjust the white balance - usually I make the image just a little bit warmer (move slider a bit to the right);
• I bring back my highlights (almost always) and adjust my shadows (only if needed);
• I check the box to remove chromatic aberrations;
• I check the box to correct lens distortion (called lens profile corrections in Photoshop and DLO in Canon's software);
• I boost the clarity and vibrance a bit;
• I almost never touch saturation - over saturated images just look fake.  Your saturation will increase slightly later when you adjust your contrast (which I never do in the development process);
• I do not sharpen or do any noise reduction in the development process.

          I almost always bring my highlights way down, even if not needed, even if the histogram shows lots of open space to the right.  In fact, I bring it down so far that the image looks terrible.  So why ruin a perfectly good looking image in this way?  Once again, I just want to stress that this is what I do because my method of processing produces images that I like.  Others may differ and may not even like "my" look.  I am okay with that; I shoot for me and if others like it, good, if not - well I like it that way.  In time you will develop a certain look or style.  What I am describing here is just how I achieve my style, my look.  Back to the question ...

          Next week I will share how I post process my images after they have been developed.  For now, I will just say that I plan to significantly boost my contrast dynamically later on.  If I do not pull back my highlights during the development process they will be blown (or just look overdone) later when I start playing with dynamic contrast.

          That is basically it.  I do not mess with curves or anything else in the development process, that will come later.  In preparation for next week please download Nik Filters and install them on your computer (If you use Light room or Photoshop or software that take these filters).  They are amazing, easy, and quick.  If you decide to buy these filters they only cost $150.00 (for all of them) and are well worth it.  You can download them here: https://www.google.com/nikcollection/ (top right of screen).

          Enjoy playing around with your raw file and find what works for you,

Pierre