Mobile phones have long relied on computational photography, the aim being to compensate for hardware shortcomings via algorithms. However, it turned out that in addition to better algorithms, flagship mobile phones also have built-in RAW format, which made many gamers wonder: since the mobile phone can automatically calculate high dynamic range photos, What is the meaning of snapping? RAW?Where? And what else can be used?
What is RAW format?
Just like common image files like JPEG, GIF, and PNG, RAW is also one of many image formats. However, the biggest difference compared to the image files mentioned above is that RAW completely records what the camera sensor captures when shooting. All original information, including exposure value, color, white balance…etc. For this reason, compared to the familiar JPEG, RAW not only has the most detail and best image quality, but also has more post-production space and flexibility, so more experienced or advanced photographers generally know how to use it . Choose to shoot in RAW and then do post-production so that the work can be presented more in line with your expectations. Compared to RAW, JPEG, whether it is generated by default after shooting with your cell phone or camera, is actually a file that has been processed by an image processor or chip. The advantage is that the format is universal and the file is smaller, regardless of the platform. Both can be viewed directly and are easy to share. The disadvantage is that the files are compressed and stored destructively, so the image quality is usually reduced and the post-production space is much smaller than RAW. This will be explained in detail later.
What is the difference between RAW and JPEG?
▲ Smartphones with high product positioning have built-in RAW format functions, giving gamers more choice when shooting.
▲ The biggest advantage of the RAW format is that it can withstand extensive post-production: even photos that are not taken have a high probability of being recovered.
Post-production differences between RAW and JPEG
As mentioned several times, the RAW format has a larger post-production space because it completely records all the original information captured by the photosensitive element. But what is the difference in adjustment space between RAW and JPEG in post-production? Can it be quantified so we can understand it more clearly? For flagship mobile phones on the market today, the amount of color information that can be recorded in the RAW format is between 10 and 14 bits. Assuming the mobile phone can shoot in 14-bit RAW format, it means that there are approximately 16,384 levels (2 of 2) from total darkness to full brightness (14th power), the color combination is 4,398,046,511,104 (4 trillion and 39.8 million colors, RGB each at 14 bits, so it’s 2 to the 42nd power); even if your phone “can only” shoot in 10-bit RAW, there are 1,073,741,824 of them (1.07374 billion colors, RGB has 10 bits each, so it’s 2 to the 30th power); as for JPEG, it can only record 8 bits of information, there are only 256 levels from completely dark to full light, and there are only 16,777,216 color combinations (16.77 million colors, each RGB has 8 bits, so it’s 2 to the 24th power).
This explains why RAW has a much larger post-production space than JPEG: after all, unlike JPEG, which carries out destructive compression during storage, RAW faithfully preserves every image recorded by the sensor. Informative data also has a greater chance of restoring the data the image is as real as seeing it with your own eyes through post-production. However, many beginners are not accustomed to the effects presented by apps like Adobe Lightroom after initially reading RAW: the image appears rather bland, which is commonly known as “returning to the original shape”. They think it’s very different from JPEG. I don’t know where to start post-production. In fact, it’s because these apps don’t read the control files of various cell phone brands after loading RAW, so what you see is the original look of the image. Therefore, some players shoot JPEGs and then use Adobe Lightroom and other apps for post-production. If you do the same, it is advisable to change this habit immediately! As mentioned above, JPEG can only record 8-bit data. Compared to the 10-14 bits of RAW, it is not difficult to see that the bit depth of JPEG is much lower than RAW. Not only is it easy to be stretched in post-production. production, but it is also subject to interruptions in color grading, so if you want more flexibility in the post-production of your images, remember to shoot in RAW format.
▲ Because the bit depth that JPEG can record is much lower than RAW, it is easy for color levels to be broken in post-production.
What is the difference between Apple ProRAW and regular RAW?
Gamers using the iPhone Pro series should know that Apple’s RAW is called “Apple ProRAW” and how is it different from regular RAW? Indeed, Apple ProRAW combines the standard RAW format with the image processing functions of the iPhone, which means that in addition to completely recording all the original information of the sensor, it also combines the “deep fusion” and “smart HDR” of its own computational photography, therefore it will have greater advantages in post-production editing. Apple ProRAW files are much larger than JPEG/HEIF files. The size of an Apple ProRAW file is approximately 25MB on 12-megapixel models like the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro series, which is the size of JPEG/HEIF files. 9 to 12 times. When used on 48-megapixel models like the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro series, it will be even larger, around 75 MB, or 3 times that of the previous Apple ProRAW model. Therefore, it is recommended to use it in extreme situations If the lighting environment or it is confirmed that there will be significant changes in post-production, enable shooting in Apple ProRAW format to save storage space.
▲ After loading the Apple ProRAW file into Lightroom, you will find that the Apple ProRAW profile has been pre-applied.
As for the actual difference, we can understand it by reading Apple ProRAW via Adobe Lightroom. After loading the iPhone 15 Pro series Apple ProRAW file into Lightroom, you can find that the profile panel in the editing panel has pre-read the Apple ProRAW profile, so focus on the details you want to adjust, such as Make balance fine-tuning appropriate of white, exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, white, black, structure, sharpness, attenuation, vividness, saturation, etc., then decide whether to adjust the tone curve, HSL/color, color gradation, details, color correction ‘lens, distortion, effects… and other panels can be used to adjust other elements. Here we can see the difference between Apple ProRAW files and general RAW files. Figure 1 below is Apple ProRAW applying the “Adobe Standard” description file, used to simulate general RAW; Figure 2 below is the original Apple ProRAW format. From these two images it is clearly seen that although both are RAW formats, since Apple ProRAW combines the relationship between “deep blending” and “intelligent HDR”, the dynamic range and color presented are better than that of ordinary RAW. pleasing to the eye. With a little post-production, the image can be adapted to your expectations. It is easier to edit it back to its ideal state than the regular RAW format.
▲ Apple ProRAW combines standard RAW with iPhone computational photography, simplifying editing to the ideal state.
Is it necessary to shoot in RAW when mobile phones already have computational photography?
While the benefits of shooting in RAW are obvious, for everyday gamers, when they see that they need to use Adobe’s app to post-produce RAW, most people may initially give up. After all, for many people, Lightroom is a professional post-production tool. App production software, not to mention that cell phones can already take good photos, so is it necessary to take RAW photos? Due to the hardware limitations of mobile phones, the size of the currently supplied photosensitive element is actually not large compared to that of the camera, so the adjustment range of its RAW format is naturally not comparable to that of the camera. in recent years, with the number of mobile phones equipped with 1-inch photosensitive elements, with the advent of the camera, I believe that the distance between you and the camera will be shortened in the future. However, at this stage, when shooting memorable or important scenes, it is recommended to switch to RAW format at the right time. After all, as mentioned above, the amount of information that can be recorded in the RAW format of today’s mobile phones is at least 10 bits and also retains To capture all the information recorded by the current sensor, it has much more flexibility in adjusting the exposure , white balance and color in post-processing compared to JPEG. Of course, for general everyday shooting other than above, we still recommend using the JPEG/HIEF format. In addition to saving storage space on the phone itself or in the cloud, the most important thing is that the direct images after the calculations made by mobile phones are actually quite good, and the image effect is more than enough for general life recording or for sharing on social media.
▲Although mobile phone computational photography can already achieve good results, it is easier to produce pleasant images by shooting in RAW format at the right time in high contrast environments.
As for shooting in RAW format with a mobile phone, if you want a better image presentation, it is usually recommended to use the Adobe Lightroom app for editing. Although the app can use most of the basic functions for free, such as adjusting exposure, white balance, contrast, sharpness, cropping, etc., if you want to change the RAW format, you still have to pay for sign up for advanced features. In addition to supporting RAW format editing, Lightroom’s advanced features also include AI-powered healing brushes, masks, powerful geometry tools, batch editing, and additional Adobe cloud storage, which can be used on mobile phones. on all devices for post-production, which is very convenient and not expensive (NT$326/month). The subscription is recommended for gamers who are passionate about mobile photography.
Lightroom RAW editing application
Although Adobe Lightroom is a professional image editing app, its interface is very simple and easy to use, especially after the recent update of Lightroom to version 9.0.1, the toolbar has been simplified, offering a more concise and intuitive operating experience. In general, after reading the RAW in Lightroom, you will make preliminary adjustments to the image via the “Edit” panel, including exposure, white balance, color, sharpness, etc., so that the image has a preliminary outline , and then via Panels like “Mask”, “Repair”, “Crop” and even “Preset” can be used for further post-production adjustments to achieve the most perfect presentation of the image. Below we use Apple ProRAW shot on the iPhone 15 Pro to demonstrate the application of Lightroom editing.
Step 1: Adjust exposure, highlights, shadows, vibrance and saturation in the “Edit” panel; the color temperature of the original image is warmer, so it is significantly reduced to 3250K.
Step 2: The sky appears dull. Use the gradient mask to enhance the sky. The main purpose is to increase the color temperature and saturation to make the sky more three-dimensional.
Step 3: Use the gradient mask on the ground to enhance the warm color illuminated by the tungsten lamp, adjust the color temperature and hue towards yellow and purple, and add some saturation.
Step 4: If you want the color temperature of the sky after sunset to appear more dreamy, you can go to “Color Mixing” in the “Edit” panel and adjust the blue tone.
Step 5: Through before/after comparison, I believe you can see the difference clearly.
This article was published simultaneously in Home PC Magazine
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2024-01-11 06:30:00
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