John Waugh Photographic Images blog

Understanding RAW:  If you didn’t take it in RAW. You can’t make it in RAW!
Any number of students and clients ask me if I capture images in RAW and if so, why?

RAW format is the complete capture file from your camera sensor.  No filters, white balance, compression or picture style applied.  It’s a big file that provides about two stops of latitude each side of the  initial exposure setting to work with. Thats really important when a setting is going to warrant separating shadow detail or expanding highlights.  It takes a lot of space compared to a large(L) file, but the benefits in post processing are huge.

I do capture most images in RAW format because it gives me the ability to bracket an exposure without completing multiple frames.  RAW format  allows for the greatest exposure and color adjustment latitude available from an image.  Highlight and shadow separation are much easier to create with adjustments.  Detail retention and color accuracy are greatly increased  when making adjustments to a RAW format image.   RAW fine tuning for noise, sharpness and moire are available in Aperture as well as auto exposure compensation.

The adjusted image is not output as a RAW file!  The master file you are applying adjustments to is a RAW file but the subsequent versions you create will be output in what ever format you have set in the Aperture preference settings. If you think the finished image is going to warrant significant adjustments, most importantly exposure or extended range, capture the image in RAW format.  You won’t regret the file size when you experience the final composition.

This Entry pertains to all systems, but is illustrated in Aperture 3®
Is your library littered with projects of digital photo files that are named “summer picnic”, “dog swim”, “Aunt Ellen”?
Not only is this set up going to get confusing after about 20 projects, but sooner or later this naming system is going to result in lost, trashed or misplaced files.
By adopting a standard file naming system you can organize your photography life from here forward.

Create a library named: “your name-year”
When you down load a card or your camera, start a new project inside this one and name it:
“year month day_ name” (20100729_summerpicnic)
By starting your file name with the YrMoDy_ name  standard your pictures will now be organized in chronological order from now on.
If your are using iPhoto, Aperture, Lightroom or Bridge the same naming structure  will keep everything in sequential order for easy retrieval.
Works for video files as well.
Simple, but important.
John

A frequent question I hear while teaching Aperture is “Can I have multiple Libraries?”
The answer is ” Yes, you can make as many libraries as you want”.   In fact the ability to create multiple libraries is one of the great organization tools available in Aperture. Consider making a library at the beginning of every year. Name the library something like 2011 photo library. You can now condense your search in later years to a smaller data base. When you export a project from a library, it will become a new library in your chosen destination. It is often convenient to export a selection of images that you are using for a slide show as a new library. It makes for quick set up at your presentation.
How do you keep track of multiple libraries? It’s easy. In Aperture/ File/ Switch to Library/ Other/ New you get a menu of all of the libraries in your system.  Select the library you want to work in and click “Choose”.

You can also create a “New” library from this window. An important reminder in using multiple libraries is to remember to create a “Vault” for each new library to back up your masters and your adjustments and versions. Each Library requires its own “Vault”