new to raw

[imported_julie]

Hi
I have just started to use raw and I have lots of questions but this is the most pressing at the moment

I am unsure if I should choose a white balance when I first open the image in ACR (?) or wait till I get into curvemeister and correct the colour there using BTN
Or both?
Any help/opinions or recommendations greatly appreciated

Julie

[ggroess]

In general we have been recommending that you not change the color in RAW and leave that to CM.  I use the sliders at zero unless there is a really compelling reason and then I usually only make changes to exposure.

Greg

[sjordan93436]

I agree with Greg about color.  I do look at shadows and highlights.  I use ACR to start to repair shadow and highlights  I am conservative about that.  Let CM to the heavy lifting.  I haven't worked with heavy color casts on a keeper recently.

I use camera calibration.

[imported_ganna]

According to Trey Ratcliff, the best is to set the correct whitebalance in camera when shooting, even when in RAW. I always thought RAW was a digital negative without any camera adjustment effects, but I was wrong.

[sjordan93436]

I do not fix white balance when shooting RAW, but it might a minor (?) mistake.  It affects the histogram and the image on you LCD screen.  The RAW file has a jpeg imbedded, and that is wrong. 

[ggroess]

To me white balance problems are like shooting the camera in tungsten mode outdoors or outdoor mode in tungsten.  Most DSLR's today do a fair job of getting the Auto white balance correct.  It's usually not a problem unless you intentionally set it and get it wrong.

Minor color balance errors are always present...
Greg

[imported_julie]

Hi everyone

This is so good.
Ask s question, go to bed, snd people on the other side of the world answer while you sleep.
I hsve the white balance set to auto in the camera.
I have been adjusting exposure and I shadow/highlight in acr and am very impressed.
I have left colour to cm using btn..
It's the skies that seem to need the most adjustment.
Thanks for everybody's input and there may be more questions in the future

Julie

[ggroess]

Can you post an example?

Greg

[imported_julie]

Hi
Sorry have been at work and attending family birthday celebrations.

I think this shows what I mean.
I was surprised when I opened this in curvemeister cause the hue clock was not really bad.
It looks really awful to my eyes.
I have done nothing with this at all.
Let me know what you think is the problem

I do use a uv filter, could that be changing anything

Julie

[imported_ganna]

Julie, do you calibrate your monitor?