Picture Profile

[Photofarmer]

Raw shooting doest it matter what its set on.

Just watched a you tube a guy suggested "neutral" true indication of highlights etc. Sort of a starting point.

To be honest ive never changed it from standard.

Welcome your thoughts.

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi Peter,

We shoot raw/ neutral profile.

Although most settings can be adjusted in post (Profiles, White Balance, etc…) - as the camera records ‘what the sensor sees’ - it is still important to get those impacting exposure - Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO - optimised at the time of shooting. We find using the neutral profile helps us in this respect. (Our LrC Import Presets apply the standard profile to our raw files, so we start the processing workflow with that already set).

Phil

 

[Only RF]

I edited using Adobe Nuetral for years for that reason. I also applied Auto to speed up the base edits. Profiles are baked to give the image some punch which can push the highlights to the point where it is difficult to bring back the details.

When I first heard of this I tried linear profiles which I didn’t care for. Later I came across an article and I’ll post a link when I get home. The fellow likes to use Camera Neutral but I thought Auto played nicer with Adobe Neutral.

These days I use the newer Adobe Adaptive Color profile that adds life to the image and does a great job with highlights and shadows. No sliders move which gives me more control when editing.

 

[Only RF]

Using neural, etc base profiles does make the initial image look pretty flat.

Linear Camera Profiles: A Critical Look

A critical look at linear camera profiles – do they really come with all the benefits that some articles and videos claim?

www.alex-kunz.com

If you want to try linear profiles you can find them here.

Linear Profile Repository

Linear profiles: A creative path for image development.

goodlight.us

 

[StevenAunan]

Is've been using the Faithful profile for quite a while now. What advantage would there be to using Neutral?

Neutral: For retouching later on a computer. Makes images subdued, with lower contrast and natural color tones.
Faithful: For retouching later on a computer. Faithfully reproduces the actual colors of subjects as measured in daylight with a color temperature of 5200K. Makes images subdued, with lower contrast.

 

[Only RF]

I didn’t know. I can only go what the author of the article wrote. That is what Auto is for. It brings life back to the subdued colours.

I’ve used Faithful in the past. Nothing wrong with it It’s all personal preference at the end of the day. We pick what works best for our applications.

 

[PKM-UK]

Is've been using the Faithful profile for quite a while now. What advantage would there be to using Neutral?

Neutral: For retouching later on a computer. Makes images subdued, with lower contrast and natural color tones.
Faithful: For retouching later on a computer. Faithfully reproduces the actual colors of subjects as measured in daylight with a color temperature of 5200K. Makes images subdued, with lower contrast.

Hi Steven,

My understanding is that the live histogram on R System cameras is derived from the in-camera jpg engine - which applies the user defined Profile. Given this, it seems to be the consensus that the Neutral Profile provides the best guide for exposure (which remains important even when shooting in raw format).

Once the raw file is imported into processing software any Profile can be assigned (e.g. in your case Faithful could be applied with a User Import Preset).


Of course, when shooting jpg the Profile will be baked in and therefore - in my view - Neutral is unlikely to be the best choice for most people/ scenarios.

(Bearing in mind the OP was enquiring about shooting raw).

Phil

 

[Photofarmer]

thanks all

 

[Only RF]

Thinking more on this a RAW file has nothing. No colour space, profiles, sharpening, etc. It’s just RAW data. It becomes something once you open it in a developer or using in camera settings. From Canon, to DXO, to Adobe they all have thief own secret sauce. It does not matter what colour space you set in the camera. I could chose Standard but if I open a file in DXO and choose one of its propriety profiles it will use their sauce. Even is you choose a colour marching profile it will be close, but not Canon’s version.

I’m only mentioning this is because when I was preparing myself for wedding photography I came across a Canon explanation. I can’t remember if the author suggested Nuetral or Faithful. This was 15 years ago. His point was even if you expose properly but start out editing using Standard it may punch up the image to the point details in the brides dress are lost and not recoverable using editing sliders. Starting with a less punchy profile gives the editor more control.

So it all boils down to what profiles are pleasing to you. If it is Standard then use Standard. The day I decided to go with pleasing colours (for me) made my hobby side of shooting much more fun.

 

[Photofarmer]

Where ever I read about it this was authors thoughts as well use neutral when it comes to highlights. His point was even if you expose properly but start out editing using Standard it may punch up the image to the point details in the brides dress are lost and not recoverable using editing sliders. Very similar @Only RF will see if I can find it was on tube I think.
My initial thought was it doesnt matter when using raw

 

[Only RF]

It doesn’t because you can choose any profile you want during post processing. There are enough people using linear profiles that Tony Kyper has a respiratory.