How to open RAW

It should be noted that In addition to photography, this format is used in video recording and sound recording. RAW format files can have a variety ofExtensions, for example, photos taken with Canon cameras, will be saved with the extension of CR2 or CRW, Nikon cameras use NEF and NRW extensions, Pentax - PTX and PEF, Hasselblad - 3FR and so on.

In order to open RAW, you need to install certain software. From paid applications it is possible to allocate Adobe Lightroom and Capture One. Also for Adobe Photoshop there is a free Adobe Camera Raw plug-in to "develop" files with this format.

As for free software, it is worth noting RawTherapee. The distribution of this application is easyfind it on the Internet and download to your computer. The installation of the program does not represent anything complicated. It will only be necessary to specify the folder in which the installation will be performed.

To just open the RAW and do not resort to editing the image, enough install free Picasa. This is the most common viewer with a pretty nice design. Right-click the desired RAW file and in the resulting shortcut menu, select "To open with...". In the list of available programs for viewing, select Picasa and press OK. The image will be opened.

However, consider in more detail the option with editing a photo. As you know, the pictures taken by even the most expensive cameras in their original form look very dim: colors are not bright enough, there is no contrast and so on.

The principle of operation of any program for processing RAW files is one: You import the required number of photos into the application library, then open them one at a time and make changes. In addition, many programs have the function of batch editing, which significantly saves processing time.

Let's take a quick look at the most important photo editing options. First of all, pay attention to the option "Temperature". It is necessary for those cases, if during the shooting you set the wrong white balance and the photo turned out in cold shades or in warm colors.

Also an important role is played by "Exposition". Boldly raise the slider, since mostpictures have very weak brightness. Changing this option will not result in loss of image quality, as this can happen if you do the same operation with a JPG file.

Be sure to raise "Contrast" by 20-30 unitsto enhance the difference between shades of colors. When you move the slider of this option, all darker colors will become even darker, and all light colors will become lighter. The photo will become more "alive". It will not be superfluous to add "Saturation"so that the colors will not be very dull. The other options can be changed to your taste. After making adjustments, export the modified images with the JPG extension.

As you could see, opening RAW is pretty simple. All that is needed for this - special software, which can be found and downloaded for free. We hope that the information given in this article will help you to open and edit your photos.