Why I use raw? 為何我選用raw來拍照？

究竟該用raw拍攝還是可以直接用jpg一向以來都是大家會問的問題，而且，更重要的是看來這個問題是不會有標準答案的，不同的人有不同的理解和做法，看來是態度的取向而已。	Should I use raw or jpg when taking a photograph is always within the first few questions asked when someone first use his dslr.  However basic this question may be, there is no model answer.  Depends on your photographic philosophy, you may do it quite different.
fig 1. from raw without touching 圖 1. 未經調教由raw直出
圖1是一幅直接由raw轉出來的jpg相片，過程中沒有作出任何調教，可以看到一切都十分平淡，這就是raw的特色了，可是，raw相片保留了最多的資料，讓我們可以作出調整。 以下我會用最基本的調整，讓大家了解到可以有那些的改善。	fig 1 shows a pure raw picture without any re-touching.  We should notice that this picture is pale in nature.  However, a raw picture has the most data in it so that we can do the most adjustment later by a software. I would do some basic adjustment to this picture and let you see the differences.
fig 2. change white balance from auto to sunny outdoor 圖 2. 將白平衡由自動改為室外陽光
白平衡是我一般第一項要更正的設定，若果白平衡設定不太準確，會影響整體的顏色，跟我們日常的感覺分別很大，所以最好盡求準確。 但我都是流於疏懶，因為我一般都不會先作測定，而是利用既有的色溫。	White balance should be the first thing I would adjust because a biased wb would give unnatural color and gives a unpleasant feeling. However, to minimize my work, I usually use the preset wb setting rather than making more precise measurement.
fig 3. choose the picture control as landscape and more sharp 圖 3. 選用風光相片的照片控制項，並加強銳度
接著做的是選用一項照片控制，這是Nikon的觀念，相信其他品牌也大致如此。在Nikon裡，可以有人像、風光、標準及艷麗等，主要是對飽和度、對比、亮度及銳度等作出調整。風光設定一般會有較明亮的感覺，所以我選了這項，並對銳度加強。	Picture control is control that give the picture preset levels on saturation, contrast, brightness and sharpness.  Nikon has some preset called vivid, landscape, standard, portrait etc.  I think other makes of camera do the same things. As landscape setting usually gives a brighter and happier feeling, I use landscape and set a higher level of sharpness.
fig 4. adjust horizontal level 圖 4. 調整水平
接著看一看照片，發覺水平未有對好便拍，惟有在這個階段調整。不過，這樣的調整會令到一些畫面失去的，原本狗狗是前景的重點，現在切去了三份一隻了，如圖4所示。	The picture's horizontal was not adjust well when it is taking.  So I use software to rotate it.  However, this causes part of the picture to be trimmed away.  The dog at the foreground is cut in this case (fig. 4)
fig 5. partially control the blue sky to make the cloud standing out 圖 5. 調整藍天部份，讓白雲突出
基本的調整做好後，可以看看相片有沒有集中視線的地方，這相片原來的狗狗是不錯的集中點，可惜因做水平調教而變得不完整，惟有讓白雲更加突出，方法是用NX的U-point技術只對藍天調暗及加大飽和度，這樣，相片的視點就集中在天空上了，如圖5所示。	After I have finished doing the basic adjustment, I try to make the picture some point in attracting our view.  The dog should be a good point but it was cut due to the horizontal adjustment.  So I use the sky.  Applying the U-point technique from NX I can do my partially adjustment on the blue sky only.  I make the blue sky darker and more saturate.  The sky would then attract our view.  (fig. 5)
fig 6. final picture 圖 6. 成品
把狗狗取消，就是最後的成品了。如果我沒有用raw拍的話，一些如白平衡及相片控制的調整是沒法進行的，所以，雖然我一般作的調整不多，還是會用raw來拍的。	To crop away the dog would give the final picture (fig. 6).  If I have not taken using raw, some adjustment like white balance and picture control cannot be used.  Thus, I would take my photos in raw even I usually have not much retouching.
fig 7. comparison (top: original, bottom: final) 圖 7. 比較﹝上：原圖、下：成品﹞