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Bits and bit depth

‘Bits’ are the basic building block of digital data, and the more bits of information used in digital images, the subtler the colors and tonal transitions. Bits and pixels are related, in that the greater the ‘bit-depth’ used to create a pixel, the better the quality of the color/tone information in that pixel. Digital cameras typically capture 10, 12 or 14 bits of data for each pixel, and this is then processed down to produce regular JPEG photos (8 bits) or converted into high-quality 16-bit TIFF files.

How I use merged HDR stacks as ’super-negatives’

April 26, 2022 by Life after Photoshop

Lightroom and Capture One offer HDR tools with a difference. They don’t create wild and exaggerated HDR effects. Instead, they create what I would call DNG ‘super-negatives’ with extended dynamic range that you can then exploit however you like.

Filed Under: Capture One, Featured, Lightroom, TutorialsTagged With: Bits and bit depth, Bracketing, DNG, Dynamic range, HDR

10 myths about RAW files – and why they’re wrong

March 31, 2022 by Life after Photoshop

Almost any photographic expert will tell you that you should shoot RAW files not JPEGs, and that RAW files are innately superior. The trouble with this kind of wisdom is that it’s repeated and passed on without question.

Filed Under: General, Listicles, WorkflowTagged With: 14-bit RAW, 16-bit image, 8-bit images, Artefact/artifact, Bayer sensor, Bits and bit depth, Compression, Dynamic range, JPEG, JPEG vs RAW, Lens corrections, Lossy/lossless compression, Noise reduction, RAW file, RAW processing, RAW+JPEG, TIFF, White balance

RAW files explained

February 24, 2022 by Life after Photoshop

Many photographers prefer to work with RAW files – but what are they, how do you work with them, and why are they so much better than regular in-camera JPEGs?

Filed Under: Editing A-Z, Featured, GeneralTagged With: 14-bit RAW, 16-bit image, 8-bit images, Adobe RGB, Bayer sensor, Bits and bit depth, Compression, Demosaicing, DNG, Lossy/lossless compression, Picture control/style, RAW file, RAW processing, TIFF, White balance

The DxO Nik Collection non-destructive workflow and how it works

June 27, 2020 by Rod Lawton

The DxO Nik Collection 3 brings non-destructive editing to the Nik plug ins for the first time. This is how it was done, and what you need to know.

Filed Under: Featured, Nik Collection, TutorialsTagged With: 16-bit image, Bits and bit depth, Non-destructive editing

Bits and bit depth explained

May 19, 2020 by Life after Photoshop

Bits and bit depth

Bit depth is an important concept in digital imaging if you want the best possible image quality and if you intend to manipulate images heavily.

Filed Under: Editing A-Z, Featured, GeneralTagged With: 14-bit RAW, 16-bit image, 24-bit/48-bit image, 8-bit images, Artefact/artifact, Bits and bit depth, Dynamic range, HDR, JPEG vs RAW, RAW processing

RAW vs JPEG: things you can do with RAW files that you can’t do with JPEGs

May 15, 2020 by Life after Photoshop

Most serious photographers prefer RAW files to JPEGs. They take more time and storage, but the payback is greater quality and flexibility. It’s not a one-sided argument – JPEGs have some advantages which are obvious, and some which are not – but here are six important reasons why RAW files are the way to go […]

Filed Under: FeaturedTagged With: 14-bit RAW, 16-bit image, 8-bit images, Bits and bit depth, Highlight recovery, JPEG vs RAW, LUTs, Noise reduction, Profiles, RAW file, RAW processing, RAW+JPEG, Shadow recovery, Sharpening, TIFF

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