Development (as part
of a Digital Workflow)
The development of a RAW image refers to technical
process that takes place when moving the camera specific
data (in most cases Bayer pattern with the capture and
white balance data) into an open standards readable
format (in most cases TIFF, or Adobe's PSD format). Its
often compared to the film development process that would
take place in a dark room, where the negative would have
to undergo a chemical process to then have a positive.
The terms "digital darkroom" are in fact used from time
to time.
For many this means using Adobe Photoshop "Camera RAW",
where the file is then developed. There are many sites
describing different techniques (
one,
two, etc...) or perhaps, by using
the built in features of your DAM system (such as
the ones found in
Lightroom or Aperture), you can
develop the image for further processing.
This step, is important - and how you go about it
actually adds to the whole experience and opens technical
possibilities, such as double-processing for
white-balance or perhaps for
exposure, (
2nd example). Its also the step where
many of the tuning and adjustments have the smoother
effect as they are working with the widest gammut
and raw data that the camera was able to capture at
the moment. This is also when some of the colour
shifts/corrections are done using the reference
frame that was taken during the capture phase. Using
the reference image to correct the shifts is
something I do at this part of the process. The
assignment of colour gamut is also done during the
development. Make sure you are assigning a gamut you
can work with easily.
There are many choices for RAW development. Adobe Camera
RAW, PhaseONE, Bible, ImageMechanic, SilverFast etc... I
use Nikon Capture. I tried a number of demos and settled
for Nikon Capture based on the output/value I was getting
from
my workflow.
But I also make use of the development process that
my DAM system provides me... Its just that I use it on
outputs that are not purpose critical. For example, when
creating a web-based contact sheet or generating quick
fixes for submission. So you see, there are two places
where I personally do my development. My critical
development goes into Nikon Capture, and my non-critial I
let Aperture handle it.
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> Editing, Adjustment
