Why is the RAW photo opening in such bad condition?

[edithelp]

I recently went to visit the Taj Mahal, I took all the shots in RAW. And almost all the photographs are opening in the same manner. Any suggestions about how can I edit it to make it look fine?

Kindly see the attached photo.

[davidedric]

Hello and welcome.

You've clearly already done some editing. It would be best if you imported your RAW into Lightroom (which you've obviously already done), and without making any changes, Export it with the long side set to 1200, say.

Then post the photo itself. See this thread if you need to know how HELP THREAD: How can I post images here?

Then I am sure we can help.

Dave

[xpatUSA]

I recently went to visit the Taj Mahal, I took all the shots in RAW. And almost all the photographs are opening in the same manner. Any suggestions about how can I edit it to make it look fine?

Kindly see the attached photo.

Welcome.

The posted image is hard to assess (a bit small).

I would push the highlights slider to the left a lot because of the loss of contrast over the entire building (except in the shadows). Or apply an upside-down 'S' curve. What application is that?

We would be able to help much better if you were able to post the raw file somewhere like DropBox and give us a link.

[NorthernFocus]

If you are using LR/ACR then in camera setting other than WB are not imported. If you want to retain in camera contrast, saturation, etc, then best to convert with proprietary software from whichever camera you shoot. Otherwise in LR you must start from scratch adjusting lighting, color, etc.

[dje]

We would be able to help much better if you were able to post the raw file somewhere like DropBox and give us a link.

Yes that would give us the best chance of assessing your image properly.

Dave

[Black Pearl]

I recently went to visit the Taj Mahal, I took all the shots in RAW. And almost all the photographs are opening in the same manner. Any suggestions about how can I edit it to make it look fine?

Kindly see the attached photo.

If you are having to reduce the exposure by 3.70 then your issue isn't the file format its your original exposure which I'm guessing you've got horribly wrong.

[davidedric]

Good point, Robin. I'm thinking someone shooting in manual mode?

Dave

[dje]

If you are having to reduce the exposure by 3.70 then your issue isn't the file format its your original exposure which I'm guessing you've got horribly wrong.

Yes I hadn't looked at the LR settings but there are also other extreme settings

Contrast -14
Whites +58
Blacks -35

This suggests to me that the OP may need a better understanding of what these settings are all about. We really need to see the raw file to assess this.

Dave

[davidedric]

(not a response to the original poster)

Since we can only view a RAW through our favourite converter, why not let him/her just post a jpeg straight out of Lightroom?

Dave

[xpatUSA]

(not a response to the original poster)

Since we can only view a RAW through our favourite converter, why not let him/her just post a jpeg straight out of Lightroom?

Dave

My intention was to view the raw histogram in RawDigger or equivalent, for example, UFraw. That would remove obfuscation due to conversion/post-processing and tells us for sure whether it's over-exposed or recoverable.

[rpcrowe]

What was the exposure : ISO, f/stop and shutter speed for the original exposure and what was your estimation of the intensity of the light: Sunny - distinct shadows; Slight overcast (AKA Cloudy bright) - shadows soft around edges; Overcast - shadows barely visible?

[dje]

(not a response to the original poster)

Since we can only view a RAW through our favourite converter, why not let him/her just post a jpeg straight out of Lightroom?

Dave

Access to the raw file would remove any unknowns regarding the settings he has used in LR. The settings shown in the original post are "all over the place". Also it would give us the opportunity to show the OP what could be done with this image with suitable raw processing. Many of us have LR or ACR.

Dave

[xpatUSA]

Access to the raw file would remove any unknowns regarding the settings he has used in LR. The settings shown in the original post are "all over the place". Also it would give us the opportunity to show the OP what could be done with this image with suitable raw processing.

Dave

Quite so, Dave. Indeed, that was the original question which sorta asks if it is recoverable or not?

In that regard, even what Adobe thinks is best for his camera (their profiles) is introducing a smidgeon of doubt for a pedant like me.

[davidedric]

Fine. I just thought it easier for the OP, and maybe good enough. I hope we haven't scared him off!

[edithelp]

Welcome.

The posted image is hard to assess (a bit small).

I would push the highlights slider to the left a lot because of the loss of contrast over the entire building (except in the shadows). Or apply an upside-down 'S' curve. What application is that?

We would be able to help much better if you were able to post the raw file somewhere like DropBox and give us a link.

Thank you for the reply, I will upload the RAW file in a bit and provide its link. It'll be a great help. I'm a newbie and want to learn about things.

[edithelp]

Hello and welcome.

You've clearly already done some editing. It would be best if you imported your RAW into Lightroom (which you've obviously already done), and without making any changes, Export it with the long side set to 1200, say.

Then post the photo itself. See this thread if you need to know how HELP THREAD: How can I post images here?

Then I am sure we can help.

Dave

I haven't done any editing, I just pressed the auto button to see the file.

[edithelp]

Welcome.

The posted image is hard to assess (a bit small).

I would push the highlights slider to the left a lot because of the loss of contrast over the entire building (except in the shadows). Or apply an upside-down 'S' curve. What application is that?

We would be able to help much better if you were able to post the raw file somewhere like DropBox and give us a link.

Here's the link to the RAW file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6h...ew?usp=sharing

[davidedric]

The Auto button changes a whole lot of things! That's why the sliders aren't all at zero. It's basically Lightroom's best guess, and with a challenging image like this it's likely a bad one. (Personally, I find it of no practical help, but others differ.)

Dave

[Black Pearl]

I haven't done any editing, I just pressed the auto button to see the file.

Why did you need to press the auto button to see the file?

[edithelp]

Why did you need to press the auto button to see the file?

Because the file wasn't opening properly in Lightroom. Later when I opened it again, it opened as it was shot.