Order of events which process first?

[ericmark]

Mainly because I had to show what I could do I have on one set of photos tried to do multi processes. I found that HDR has to be done first but after that there seems to be no rules as to what comes next. Assuming all images now saved as tiff does one convert each one to jpeg then combine to panorama or does one combine to panorama then make into jpeg?
I will admit file sizes can get big and over 500M is not unknown that was 12 pre-HDR files combined and I had to do in three stages.

With three images of a dock I first went into RAW and lightened the area under the quay not sure if when combining it used the info?

With TIFF files when combined as 16 bit they remain 16 bit but take RAW files and combine and I find result is 8 bit so should I have opened as RAW first?

Anyone tried digital negative? To date not tried and I note if one wants to get one of the print houses to print for you they will only take Jpeg. I asked why and answer was simple.

We want people in and out in shortest time and digital negative TIFF etc just take too long. So when on holiday in Turkey with in-laws I have to convert to Jpeg or take in jpeg.

So which is best? Take in RAW and Jpeg or convert to Jpeg in camera?

15 minutes taking photos and two days to process them all. Was it worth it? Is there any point in HDR and should I combine images to get better quality image or is it waist of time and should I just use Jpeg and forget RAW?

Just like to hear what others do! At moment near every image is bracketed and at home I decide if picking one is best or if I should combine. 8Gig SD card is very quickly filled.

[Iguanasan]

Sorry this question got missed. I don't have all the answers but basically the more editing you can do in TIFF or RAW the better as JPGs are a lossy format which means some of the data is missing. Once you've done all your editing then convert to JPG to print, post on the 'net, etc.

[Richard]

I think there are still a lot of opinions going around on whether to shot RAW or jpeg, or RAW+jpeg, It seems from what I've read that a lot of it comes down to personal preference, some people say I'm a photographer not a retoucher and favour jpeg.

With cheap memory cards, I'm definitely in the RAW camp, it is more flexible, it keeps all the processing decisions with the photographer, rather than relying on the cameras best guess. I also find because every shot requires processing of some kind it forces me to critique all my images and keep only the best shot, and that makes me feel like a better photographer when I look at my back catalogue.

There are times to use HDR and times when it's not worth it, If I'm unsure I will shoot bracketed for HDR and then make the decision when I have processed the two options.

If you are expecting to print large, always keep exporting to jpeg at the end of your work-flow to maintain maximum quality. At the end of the day everyone has there own digital work-flow and there is often more than one way to 'bake a cake' you need to develop a system that works for you. If you don't enjoy processing your images try and minimise it, if you like working on post production, then go for it, just don't get lazy, try and get as much right in camera.