Editing your Raw Files

Back when photographers used film, there was a lot of emphasis on their developing skills (or at least so I read) I unfortunately never got to experience any of this as I was 15 and took mine to Boots' 24 hour developing service. To some extent I envy those who did, and still do as it must be an even more satisfying feeling developing your negatives yourself, burning in the edges, or increasing the contrast. 

Today's light table and dark room takes the form of post processing software, one of the most popular of which is, aptly named, Adobe Lightroom, and is arguably as much of a skill to use well, as developing your negatives and fixing. Some of the most experienced and skilled in Lightroom quickly develop their own editing style and you can quickly recognise their photographs and edits quickly.

One of the most interesting challenges on the Internet is from the FroKnowsPhoto website where Jared Polin's uploads a raw file each week to add your own personal touch to, and also to learn how he, and others edit the file. I've probably done about 15 of these raw edits but this week something was different.

A good friend of mine, who has a very definite editing 'style' as we've mentioned, has had a fair bit of jostling from myself to put her amazing style on one of these files that Jared throws up each week, and week number 59 was, in my opinion, screaming to be edited by her. The challenge was set (ok, it may have been 5am in Pennsylvania, compared to 10am here in central England) but the photograph was such a gorgeous frame she couldn't resist. 

Putting both of our edits side by side is an eye opening experience. As I was working through my edit, I knew where I wanted to go but it's very hard to not be blinkered by what your doing. Once I saw Ryan's edit next to mine I knew there were some things I would tweak in hindsight. Anyway, let's have a look at the two edits and you can draw your own conclusions.

My edit above, Ryan (KilKennyCat) below...

There are things I love about both edits, but like I said, with hindsight and after those 'processing blinkers' have now been removed, I'd have lessened the magenta tint a little and also pulled back very slightly on the white balance. The top of her cheek also still looks slightly over exposed on my edit.

As to Ryan's take on the file I love her style anyway and this is no exception and I'm glad I 'bullied' her into adding her processing to the image. It's so muted, cool and stylish. I'd have liked to have seen a little more contrast in the eyes but I love the tone of her skin and the way her lips are just ever so cooler than mine. Beautiful tone.

What do you think of the pair of edits? What would you have done and if you would like to have a go, pop over to Jareds' Raw Edit section using this link. This file is Raw Edit number 59. 

lastly if you'd like to see how I went about my edit, check this Screenflow video out and let me know what you think? I hope it is of use and you pick up something, however small, that will help you in your future edits in Lightroom. (or at least it will be once Blogsy let's me find my own YouTube video haha)

Special thanks today go to Ryan Connors (KilKennyCat) for her Raw Edit and hope to get some more posts and videos up again soon.

See you all anon!

Chris