Processing RAW files

[mike21]

A Raw file contains all of the data captured by the sensor, unlike a JPG. Is it necessary to process it as far as possible in the Develop persona or is the same data still there if it is developed straight away and all processing done in the Photo persona, where it can be done in a non-destructive manner.

[Old Bruce]

The same data is not there, it has been converted into either an 8, 16 or 32 bit (depth) image. Do as little as you want to or as much as you want to.

Try not to overthink this stuff. It really truly is a purely subjective personal choice. You will hear that it is necessary to do x, y and z but not a, b or c. And you will hear the opposite. 

I process my raw files to what I consider a good starting point for further work in the photo persona. Myself, I will do exposure fixing and nail the lower end and higher end. Fix the White Balance and the various lens distortions.  I don't use the Black and White section in the Develop Persona even when I am processing a raw file which I want as a Black and White image, there is no reason for this other than I choose not to. I don't do much in the way of cleaning up spots etc either.

[uneMule]

Bonjour @mike21 et @Old Bruce,

d'autant que les réglages effectués au fichier Raw ne sont pas des modifications. Le fichier raw reste tel qu'il est.
Ce qui est également intéressant, c'est de pouvoir bénéficier des évolutions des logiciels de "développement" et obtenir toujours de meilleurs résultat dans le traitement des raw anciens.
Pour compléter, un fichier raw peut est codé entre 12 et 16 bits. Cela peut changer, entre autre, en fonctions de certains paramètres lors de la prise de vue. Ce format de fichier peut supporter une correction de +/- 2 EV.
Personnellement, je vais plus loin que @Old Bruce dans le traitement. Mais chacun fait comme il l'entend, selon son organisation.

*****

especially since the adjustments made to the Raw file are not modifications. The raw file remains as it is.
What is also interesting is to be able to benefit from the evolutions of the "development" software and to obtain always better results in the processing of old raw.
To complete, a raw file can be coded between 12 and 16 bits. This can change, among other things, depending on certain parameters during the shooting. This file format can support a correction of +/- 2 EV.
Personally, I go further than @Old Bruce in processing. But as they say, everyone does what they want, according to their organisation.

[mike21]

Thank you for both replies - very helpful

 

[IanSG]

My approach is much the same as @Old Bruce's, but I often add a bit of clarity to perform capture sharpening.