How To Open Multiple Images In Camera Raw

Y'all've probably seen (or heard) a bit of talk about RAW images and Android lately. Some of us are pretty excited about what this brings to our smartphones, and the very cool stuff we can do with RAW images transferred to our computers. And some of us are a footling confused about what a RAW paradigm is, and why all these Android camera nerds are excited about it.

Merely put, having a camera on your Android that takes RAW images means you accept a better set of paradigm data to use when editing the picture than yous would with a standard jpeg prototype. While the small-scale sensor and fixed focal length on a smartphone ways information technology won't measure up to a "real" photographic camera, y'all can now capture shots with your Android that simply weren't possible before. HDR can only do and so much ...

Let'south get our hands dirty and look at what a RAW image is, and what y'all tin do with one once you've captured it.

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What exactly is a RAW prototype?

If you grab an Android fresh out of the box and take a picture with the camera, you lot'll probably go a rather prissy looking picture show placed into your gallery. The prototype you get was built from the data the sensor collected from all the tiny points of different colored light (the pixels) and optimised for things like balanced whites, precipitous edges, and noise reduction (among other things) and then given a final pass optimization so it looks great on your screen. When this is done, the actress image data is discarded. The final effect is a jpeg paradigm that has a much smaller file size, and is built using special software to look equally practiced as an algorithm thinks it can look. If you lot have a modern Android, you're probably going to exist pleased with the outcome nearly of the fourth dimension.

When you have an Android that is capable of shooting in RAW + jpg, you get the same output as in a higher place, plus a file that contains a minimally processed version of all the prototype information nerveless by the sensor. The sensor collects data from areas that are very dark, or very light, or that appear to be the wrong color to our eyes and more, but usually discards a practiced portion of this afterward jpeg optimization. In a RAW image, this information is kept so that special software can manipulate information technology.

Yous probably don't need to apply the RAW format for about of the pictures y'all have with your Android. On a telephone like the LG G4, the jpeg output is well optimized and is probable equally good every bit your result would exist if you used all the prototype data and built your ain jpeg from information technology with an image editor. Sometimes, though, you tin utilize the RAW information to set an prototype that the automated algorithms can't seem to get right. And some of us just like to toy with things — RAW files are perfect for that.

What RAW file format does Android apply, and why does information technology matter?

Android (as of Lollipop five.0) has a method where the camera tin can capture RAW images in the DNG format. DNG (Digital Negative) is an open up lossless RAW image format written past Adobe in 2004. It's based on the TIFF format, and the files contain the image data, at to the lowest degree one .jpg preview, and metadata that allows programs to read and edit the file. This is why they are such large files — at that place is a lot of information in there.

For the folks writing Android software and building Android devices, having an open standards-based file format is pretty important. They tin can hands and freely distribute the software likewise as update for newer versions as well as ensure backwards-compatibility. And there are less royalties to pay — every penny counts.

To users similar y'all and me, this only matters when finding software that can view or edit the files. DNG is a widely adopted format, and you'll find it's well supported in many image editors on Windows, Mac and Linux (and even lesser-known Unix variants). Chances are you already have software on your computer that can view DNG files and make small edits. Nosotros'll await at dedicated programs to edit DNG files in the next section, but know that RAW for Android uses a well-supported and popular format for anyone who wants to swoop in and practise some serious editing.

We also have to remember than while RAW back up is really cool and allows for some amazing edits to the photos we take with our Androids, it does aught to increase the limitations of a modest fixed focal length camera. Nosotros're non going to be able to capture every bit much information as a larger sensor camera, and your smartphone isn't going to supersede a DSLR any time soon. Get into things with the right expectations and then you're not disappointed.

How do I edit my RAW files?

For starters, you'll need to understand that a computer is necessary for the all-time results here. I'k certain someone, somewhere, is busy building a actually good DNG editor for Android. Simply to make the about out of your RAW images y'all demand a big screen and fairly complicated software. So plug your phone in (or use another method to transfer the .DNG files from your phone to your computer) and save a copy on your estimator.

There are plenty of options for RAW file editing on the figurer. Windows and Mac users can utilise Photoshop or Lightroom (as well as less-expensive or even gratuitous alternatives similar GIMP or Photoshop Express) and nigh Linux distributions will take a package for DarkTable, ImageMagick or digiKam as well every bit GIMP. I practice most of my RAW paradigm editing in Lightroom, but the alternatives work well and in that location is no one best option.

One time you have the file and the software to edit things, you can begin to accommodate things. You should take consummate control over exposure, white residue, sharpening and the like, and you tin can make not-destructive adjustments to the image data. Information technology might take some do to make the images look every bit good or ameliorate than the camera's jpeg output, but it can also exist pretty darn fun.

What all this allows you to do is shoot your pictures to go good focus and framing, and then adjust the exposure and practise whatever sharpening or noise reduction past mitt afterwards. You can take some spectacular photos this way if you lot want to take the fourth dimension to play with things. The epitome you see higher up was shot in manual manner with the shutter open up for .v seconds to brand the water look the way it does. I then transferred the RAW file into Lightroom and made the exposure a bit "darker" (a deadening shutter makes everything likewise bright) to get the finished picture. Something like this can't be done with automated modes or jpeg images.

If you don't experience like taking the fourth dimension to play with things, always think that your camera probably takes keen photos with everything on automated, too. Not every motion-picture show needs to be shot in RAW and edited, and not everyone wants to go through all this to get a good picture.

Does my Android have RAW photos?

Maybe. A pre-requisite is Lollipop, but not every Lollipop telephone uses the camera2 API that allows RAW images to be taken, and not every photographic camera app uses them on phones that do support information technology.

The LG G4 takes RAW photos with the stock camera app
The Nexus 6 takes RAW photos with a third party camera app
The Samsung Galaxy S6 is expected to get RAW camera support with a coming update
The HTC One M9 takes RAW photos with the stock photographic camera app

Other phones may also support RAW capture, and updates may bring support to phones like the Notation 4 or the Moto 10 which practise not currently back up the whole of the camera2 API. The all-time bet if you have questions virtually RAW support is to bank check the forums. They know everything in there. Employ them.

If yous're looking for an app to take RAW photos, there are plenty. The popular ones are Manual Camera, Camera FV-v and L Camera. I've used all 3 on the Nexus half-dozen with expert results, but again hit those forums for more recommendations.

Jerry is an amateur woodworker and struggling shade tree mechanic. There's nothing he tin can't take autonomously, but many things he can't reassemble. You'll notice him writing and speaking his loud opinion on Android Central and occasionally on Twitter.