Camera RAW plugin for PS Elements 4

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Has anyone any knowledge of any thirdparty Camera RAW plugins that work with PhotoShop Elements 4

I've tried DNG 5.2 and the results were unacceptable.

Thanks

[Stephen]

Re: Camera RAW plugin for PS Elements 4

Has anyone any knowledge of any thirdparty Camera RAW plugins that work with PhotoShop Elements 4

I've tried DNG 5.2 and the results were unacceptable.

Thanks

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Camera RAW plugin for PS Elements 4

Burger King is never that expensive, "Is it "

I agree in part, however my laptop is also very old, but very good (bit like me)

I've got CS2 on a Dell XPS for the real work, it's just that I like the flexibility of working away from home.

I run competitions for a Photographic Society and often get all sorts of files sent to me, including RAW files from the purist that consider them in the same way as they do slide film. Some people don't have the computer or skill capability to edit there own images and the laptop can be made available to them to work on their pictures. PS4 being so simple (in comparison) to the new versions provides resource that they (and I) am used to using.

[Stephen]

Re: Camera RAW plugin for PS Elements 4

I run competitions for a Photographic Society and often get all sorts of files sent to me, including RAW files from the purist that consider them in the same way as they do slide film. Some people don't have the computer or skill capability to edit there own images and the laptop can be made available to them to work on their pictures. PS4 being so simple (in comparison) to the new versions provides resource that they (and I) am used to using.

I find some of this quite unbelievable Graham, not what you are trying to do, that is very commendable. Its more the fact that you have members who are buying modern dSLRS, where more up to the minute software is needed. They understand that using Raw mode is the way to go, but don't really understand how to handle them.

I find it unbelievable that competition entries are being sent in Raw mode. Are they sending any xmp/sidecar files, which would allow them to show how they want the image to look. Surely they don't think the out of camera Raw file is the finished product. If you are making your laptop available to members to process their images from the Raw files, then clearly PSE4 will not do the business.

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Camera RAW plugin for PS Elements 4

I find some of this quite unbelievable ...that you have members who are buying modern dSLRS, ... They understand that using Raw mode is the way to go, but don't really understand how to handle them.

...Are they sending any xmp/sidecar files, which would allow them to show how they want the image to look. Surely they don't think the out of camera Raw file is the finished product. If you are making your laptop available to members to process their images from the Raw files, then clearly PSE4 will not do the business.

What always has to be remembered is that there are a lot of people that have grown up with film, love photography, hate computers, have retired with a lump sum, been "sold" a DSLR and are on a VERY steep learning curve.

That which to many of us is "Unconscious Competence" is step one on the way to converting from their beloved Nikon F4 & FUJICHROME PROVIA...

We cater for all levels of competence and some are using "SuperStore" processing (lets not go into that). So maybe my old systems do need updating, the real advantage of using an old system is that if I demonstrate a technique with PS4 then its 99% likely that it can be done with any other package.

I actually get a lot of enjoyment from helping others and seeing peoples skills develope. I guess if I use the "Old Tools" to teach they can always come back to me with their CS4 and teach me how to do it that much quicker and better...



I've had all manner of requests

[Patrick]

Re: Camera RAW plugin for PS Elements 4

What always has to be remembered is that there are a lot of people that have grown up with film, love photography, hate computers, have retired with a lump sum, been "sold" a DSLR and are on a VERY steep learning curve.

That which to many of us is "Unconscious Competence" is step one on the way to converting from their beloved Nikon F4 & FUJICHROME PROVIA...

We cater for all levels of competence and some are using "SuperStore" processing (lets not go into that). So maybe my old systems do need updating, the real advantage of using an old system is that if I demonstrate a technique with PS4 then its 99% likely that it can be done with any other package.

I actually get a lot of enjoyment from helping others and seeing peoples skills develope. I guess if I use the "Old Tools" to teach they can always come back to me with their CS4 and teach me how to do it that much quicker and better...



I've had all manner of requests

Hi

I have to say I am with Stephen on this, why even consider buying a DSLR and use RAW if they don't want to learn to use it properly, they would be better sticking to film there is still and will be for the foreseeable future plenty of it about.
Also to say the purist use RAW as they consider it to be nearest to film is missing what RAW is about, it is not a processed image it is for processing by the author. In the same way a film could be pushed or pulled to change contrast or ISO rating so we do it with software with a higher degree of control.
I personally don't consider growing up with film or age having anything to do with it. I used film for over thirty years before going digital, longer if you consider my childhood.
Similarly so have many of my fellow club members, one in particular who dismissed digital for years started scanning negatives to print digital when he lost his darkroom, then moved on at the age of I think 70 to buy his first digital camera a Canon 5D. At first dismissing RAW as unnecessary, he didn't understand, he now shoots RAW only. He still hasn't mastered layers and so dismisses them as unnecessary but when he understands their value that will change. He is now sponsored by one of the ink jet paper manufacturers.

You must also have very flexible rules at your club, at our club digital image files can only be submitted in JPG at 1024x768dpi.
If an image submitted has been processes and/or manipulated by a person other than the author it would not be accepted, advise on how to do the work is of course acceptable but must still be done by the author.

Patrick

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Camera RAW plugin for PS Elements 4

Hi
... why even consider buying a DSLR and use RAW if they don't want to learn to use it properly,

Ah! But they do, and that is where I try my best to show them...

... they would be better sticking to film there is still and will be for the foreseeable future plenty of it about.

While the film is available there are fewer and fewer clubs doing slide competitions, as more and more go digital (I'm one of only six in my club, still doing slides)

...Also to say the purist use RAW as they consider it to be nearest to film is missing what RAW is about, it is not a processed image it is for processing by the author. In the same way a film could be pushed or pulled to change contrast or ISO rating so we do it with software with a higher degree of control...

I agree somewhat if you are refering to print film, less so with slides. Here the skill was in making a correct exposure, composition, etc., etc., in the camera, without any manipulation and waiting expectantly for the finished product to pop through the letterbox. The best you could do was to mask the slide into a cropped image.

...You must also have very flexible rules at your club, at our club digital image files can only be submitted in JPG at 1024x768dpi.

Funny you should mention that. I'm about to demonstrate to my club why such a "rule" needs to be introduced. As you must well know, some images that are not matched to the projector will exhibit effects that degrade the quality of the picture on the screen (particularly closely spaced lines) The same is of course true for monitors and displays. But I wonder how many realise this when viewing the full resolution images on screens with often much lower resolutions.

...If an image submitted has been processes and/or manipulated by a person other than the author it would not be accepted...

I agree. However, there are still those that use commercial printers for competitions, who will often colour & contrast correct images, in much the same way as in the old days when a photographer would send off a neg to a printer who would spend hours in a darkroom dodging & burning to produce a "winning" print (they even used to have awards for printers)

I think as our club inevitably moves towards the Digitally Projected Image as a real competition format, instead of a "fun" contest as it is now, we shall see rules and specifications brought in to both ensure consistency and probity into competition.

While off subject this has turned into a really interesting discussion.

Thanks Guys