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swdrew12
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RAW files are super dark in LR

Apr 23, 2012 12:07 PM

Tags: #color #raw #mac #processing #rawvalue #lr4 #lightroom4

I am new to shooting in RAW and have noticed when import my photos into LR (they are all perfect exposures) they are super dark. I had read somewhere that RAW files would look muddied and dark before processing them. I am not sure, how do you get the color and brightness back into the image? I have tried adjusting brightness/exposure/ etc. and it just is not true the the original perfect exposure of the image. Am I missing a step here? I have been searching online for an answer to no avail. Any help is so appreciated!

695 Views   5 Replies   Latest reply: -Agfaclack-, Apr 23, 2012 3:12 PM
 
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  • Ian Lyons
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    1. Ian Lyons,
    Apr 23, 2012 12:20 PM   in reply to swdrew12
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    There are a couple of possiblities.

     

    1. You are applying a develop preset during import - check that the Develop Settings option in Import window (right side panel labelled Apply During Import) is set to None (see first screenshot below).

     

    2. You have inadvertently set Lr to automatically apply a non standard Default development setting - select one of the affected images then switch to Develop module. Choose Set Default Settings from Develop menu and hit button labelled Restore Adobe Default Settings (see second screenshot below)

     

     

    develop.png

     

     

    develop-2.png

     
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  • dj_paige
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    2. dj_paige,
    Apr 23, 2012 12:22 PM   in reply to swdrew12
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    There are a few possibilities

     

    1. Your monitor needs to be calibrated
    2. You are accidentally applying an import preset (you can tell if you sliders are not in the default position when you first open the photo in the Develop Module, the default for exposure should be zero)
     
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  • b_gossweiler
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    3. b_gossweiler,
    Apr 23, 2012 2:28 PM   in reply to swdrew12
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    I'll throw one more possible cause into the mix:

     

    Depending on the camera you're using, it could be that you have "Auto Lighting Optimizer" (Canon), "Adaptive D-Lighting" (Nikon) or something similar on another camera active.

     

    Beat

     
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  • Lee Jay
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    4. Lee Jay,
    Apr 23, 2012 2:29 PM   in reply to swdrew12
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    You could be using one of those camera modes that intentionally under exposes the raw files (Nikon D-Lighting, Fuji high-dynamic range, etc.).

     
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  • -Agfaclack-
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    5. -Agfaclack-,
    Apr 23, 2012 3:12 PM   in reply to Lee Jay
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    i doubt that any auto lighting optimizer or similiar feature would make all images "super dark".

    the effect (as far as i noticed) is more subtle.

     

    but without examples that´s hard to judge.

     

    true is that what you see on you camera LCD will not be the same as you see in LR.

    the LCD shows a JPG preview that is processed in camera.

     

    as to how to "fix " you RAW images.. well that is the topic of many books and video tutorials.

    as beginner in RAW photography i would go to a bookstore and look for good books.
    LYNDA and KELBY training videos are a good source too.

     

    there are even some good tutorials on youtube.

     
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