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Author Topic: Headshot sessions - RAW or JPEG?  (Read 6087 times)

The View

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Headshot sessions - RAW or JPEG?
« on: May 15, 2007, 12:23:27 am »

I'm taking headshots for actors, and up to now I did that on film.

Now, on digital, would you recommend shooting in RAW?

I have the impression that skin tones come better in raw, there are more nuances.

What do you think?




Robert
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tonypassera

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Headshot sessions - RAW or JPEG?
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2007, 12:53:51 am »

Quote
I'm taking headshots for actors, and up to now I did that on film.

Now, on digital, would you recommend shooting in RAW?

I have the impression that skin tones come better in raw, there are more nuances.

What do you think?
Robert
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=117613\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I would certainly shoot raw for headshots.  I often use a D2x for the same
purpose and shooting a jpeg is simply not an option (jpeg flesh tones
look awful).  I've also shot fuji's (an S2 and an S5), which can give
you acceptable flesh tones in jpeg mode, but it's still much safer to
shoot raw.  If you shoot raw, you can set your white balance in
post-processing.  This allows you to make subtle adjustments when
you have the time to look at the images carefully.  When you shoot
jpeg, on the other hand, the camera sets the white balance color temperature for
you when the shot is taken.  You can't really undo this commitment
later (at least not easily).
Tony
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wilburdl

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Headshot sessions - RAW or JPEG?
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2007, 01:29:08 am »

Quote
I'm taking headshots for actors, and up to now I did that on film.

Now, on digital, would you recommend shooting in RAW?

I have the impression that skin tones come better in raw, there are more nuances.

What do you think?
Robert
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RAW is a no-brainer. You'll find the flexibility far greater than developing film. Very precise and you get the added bonus of adjusting one image or all images with the same parameters. Being able to adjust the white balance alone is enough to use it. Finding the perfect contrast is certainly a bonus. And the biggest reason is that it's all non-destructive so you can be as creative and experimental as you want with a particular image--while always being able to go back to the orginal "look/settings".
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wolfnowl

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Headshot sessions - RAW or JPEG?
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2007, 02:05:58 am »

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The View

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Headshot sessions - RAW or JPEG?
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2007, 02:51:12 am »

Quote
jpeg flesh tones look awful

If you shoot raw, you can set your white balance in
post-processing. 

[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=117617\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

RAW, RAW, and only RAW. So, as in landscape photography, I will also use it for portraits and headshots.

Especially as I can set the same image parameters for a whole batch shot under the same light conditions in Lightroom. (At least I guess so, haven't received the software yet).


Robert
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Robert Spoecker

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Headshot sessions - RAW or JPEG?
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2007, 09:40:10 am »

I shoot both jpg and raw depending on what the outcome is for.

Recently I shot about 58 head shots of the actors (mostly kids) taking part in a play at the local playhouse. I was told at the onset that these were to be used as 2 by 2 inch black and white photos to go into the play's program.

I shot all of these using my studio lights in jpg format. I just cropped the images and then batch processed them to b/w at 150 dpi and everyone was happy. I also photographed the leading players to make some 8 x 10 prints to be hung in the lobby during the run of the play. these of course were done at max resolution tweaked raw files.

I think wether to shoot raw or jpg is dependent on what the end product will be.

Robert
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macgyver

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Headshot sessions - RAW or JPEG?
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2007, 01:27:42 am »

Robert just gave you, by far, the best and wisest answer.  RAW is not always the best option (but often is).
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Alaska

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Headshot sessions - RAW or JPEG?
« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2007, 03:28:04 am »

Started out with fine JPEG but if not the perfect image it is a lossy format to make corrections with.  

Now shoot both a RAW and a fine JPEG as the same time.  It does take up more memory, but I have the best of both worlds.  A JPEG to show the client on the spot and a RAW to make up the final image which can be corrected in any number of ways.  

Go for the gold and consider RAW as your default format of choice!

Jim
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