Photoshop Digital camera Uncooked Filter: The Final Information
10 min read

Trying to study all the pieces there’s to learn about Photoshop’s Digital camera Uncooked filter? Properly, haven’t any concern, as a result of the final word information to the CR filter is right here!
If you happen to’ve solely simply began out post-processing your photographs in Photoshop, chances are you’ll fear that the CR filter is a little bit too superior – however that’s a mistake. Actually, the CR filter generally is a game-changer for even probably the most inexperienced of photographers.
In different phrases, you don’t need to be a Photoshop knowledgeable to make use of this {powerful} software. And that’s the place this information is available in. We’re going to interrupt down all the pieces it is advisable to know concerning the CR filter in a manner that’s simple to know. Particularly, we focus on:
- What the filter really is
- Easy methods to entry the filter
- A handful of how to make use of it in your post-processing workflow
So for those who’re prepared to start out utilizing Photoshop’s CR filter like a professional, then let’s dive proper in!
What’s the Photoshop Digital camera Uncooked filter?

At its most elementary, this filter lets you use the features of the Adobe Digital camera Uncooked (ACR) interface inside Photoshop. You may primarily make changes inside ACR at any time throughout your workflow, relatively than limiting its utilization to the RAW processing stage solely.
It’s price noting that for those who had been to import your working file into Lightroom to make the identical changes, it could be a cumbersome step. However with the Digital camera Uncooked filter in Photoshop, you should utilize these instruments with none additional effort.

To seek out the filter, merely choose Filter>Digital camera Uncooked Filter, and the dialog field will pop up. Nevertheless, earlier than you do that, chances are you’ll wish to stamp all of the layers by urgent Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+Alt/Decide+E. It will mix your whole layers into a brand new layer from which you’ll be able to work.

Digital camera Uncooked filter limitations
Whereas the Digital camera Uncooked filter is a good software, there are some limitations you want to pay attention to.
For instance, you’ll lose some performance of the white steadiness adjustment in ACR since you’re not working from a RAW file. You may nonetheless make drastic modifications to the temperature of your photographs with this software, nevertheless it received’t be as versatile as while you’re engaged on a RAW file in ACR. You’ll additionally lose the Crop and Rotate instruments that you simply usually have entry to when engaged on RAW information.

It’s additionally vital to comprehend that since you’re not working with a RAW file at this stage, you received’t have the identical versatility that you’d when enhancing in ACR. As a substitute, the method shall be extra like enhancing a JPEG file in Lightroom or ACR. This implies you’ll have much less info to work with.
Backside line: If you wish to benefit from the Digital camera Uncooked filter, it is advisable to get issues as near excellent as attainable within the RAW stage of post-processing. That manner, you’ll have loads of info to work with – and, consequently, added versatility – while you use the filter in Photoshop.
How can the Digital camera Uncooked filter be used?
The CR filter is full of instruments – a lot in order that there’s no solution to make something resembling an entire record of its efficient makes use of. However listed here are a couple of methods I apply the filter:
- To fine-tune changes after RAW processing
- To use sure changes which might be tough to do in Photoshop’s essential interface
- To make fast changes that apply to sure components of the picture
- So as to add fast and simple vignettes
- To make closing tweaks earlier than ending your picture
Now let’s take an in-depth have a look at every method:
1. High quality-tune changes after RAW processing

If you happen to’re something like me, you prefer to make choices on the spot while you’re processing your RAW information. However have you ever ever come again to a photograph after a day or two and realized that you simply not just like the changes you made? It occurs to the perfect of us.
The issue, in fact, is that you simply can’t return to ACR for those who’ve already began making changes in Photoshop. You don’t wish to lose all of your laborious work, in spite of everything!
Properly, right here’s a fast and simple answer: Stamp the layers to a brand new layer and run the Digital camera Uncooked filter. That manner, you may make any ACR-type changes you need, and it received’t have an effect on your unique work.
This trick works nice for fast edits like publicity, distinction, and vibrancy. It additionally turns out to be useful for those who discover that you simply wish to cut back the highlights or whites earlier than diving into extra intensive enhancing. (I exploit this system on a regular basis!)
2. Make trickier changes

Photoshop may be omnipotent by itself, however ACR (and Lightroom by extension) does make a few issues simpler. For instance, the Readability slider is hard to copy in Photoshop. Utilizing the Photoshop Digital camera Uncooked filter to make Readability changes is less complicated and might save a variety of time.
One other instance is using the Highlights, Whites, Darks, and Blacks sliders to make fast, intuitive international distinction changes. Utilizing these instruments is particularly helpful for those who’re not but absolutely acquainted or snug with Photoshop’s Curves and Ranges changes.
3. Apply native changes

After I’m utilizing the Photoshop Digital camera Uncooked filter, one among my favourite methods is to make focused changes to particular areas, just like the background. As soon as I’ve bought the changes dialed in, I can use a layer masks to make sure they solely have an effect on the components of the picture I need.
This method works nice for textured backgrounds as a result of I can tweak the readability and distinction to my coronary heart’s content material with out worrying about messing up the topic. With a well-crafted layer masks, I can relaxation assured that my edits received’t bleed into areas they’re not needed.
4. Add a vignette

There are tons of how to create a vignette in Photoshop. In my view, nevertheless, the Vignette software – supplied within the Digital camera Uncooked filter – is by far the simplest, quickest, and most intuitive to make use of.
Merely head into the Results panel, discover the Publish Crop Vignetting possibility, then alter the sliders till you produce an impact you want!
By taking this method, you possibly can create a delicate – or, for those who want, an excessive – vignette in just some seconds. Additionally, if any a part of the vignette is interfering together with your topic, you possibly can all the time masks it out later utilizing Photoshop’s subtle masking choices.
5. Make closing tweaks

One other helpful solution to apply the Photoshop Digital camera Uncooked filter? Use it so as to add closing tweaks to your completed photographs.
When you’ve edited your picture in Photoshop, you possibly can run the filter and see if there are any extra changes you’d prefer to make. Tiny shifts to the file’s publicity, distinction, readability, and vibrance can all assist give a picture a little bit additional polish. Certain, you possibly can apply these changes in Photoshop, however the CR filter – with its array of easy-to-use sliders – is quicker and extra intuitive.
Bear in mind: By this level in your workflow, your picture must be principally completed. Goal to maintain any changes at this stage small and delicate, particularly because you’re not working with a RAW file.
Just the start

With a software just like the Photoshop Digital camera Uncooked filter at your disposal, you possibly can apply all types of changes with relative ease.
For probably the most half, if you are able to do it in Adobe Digital camera Uncooked (or in Lightroom’s Develop module), you are able to do it with the CR filter inside Photoshop. Be at liberty to make use of it nevertheless it is advisable to obtain the outcomes that you really want.

Last tip: Use Good Objects
Utilizing Photoshop Digital camera Uncooked filter as a Good Object may simply be the lacking piece of the puzzle in your workflow. It may be a game-changer on your post-processing model, supplying you with the flexibleness to come back again and tweak any changes that you simply’ve made.

Organising a Good Object is easy: simply right-click on the layer that you simply wish to work with and select Convert to Good Object.
From there, run the Digital camera Uncooked filter as regular. Make any changes you need, and when you’re pleased, click on OK. Within the Layers palette, underneath the layer you’re engaged on, you’ll see the identify of the filter under the Good Filters field. If you happen to double-click on it, you’ll be taken again to the Digital camera Uncooked filter dialog field the place you possibly can alter any of the settings you’ve beforehand tweaked.
This system is extremely helpful for those who are inclined to second-guess your choices in a while. Good Objects provide the freedom to make modifications with out having to start out over again.

In fact, Good Objects could not work for each photographer’s workflow. If you happen to like to make use of a variety of stamped layers, you could have already created and labored on a brand new stamped layer by the point you see one thing you wish to modify. On this state of affairs, any changes made to a Good Object wouldn’t be seen.
However generally, utilizing Good Objects could make an enormous distinction to your workflow. They supply flexibility and prevent time in the long term, permitting you to give attention to the inventive course of. Give it a try to see the way it works for you!
The Photoshop Digital camera Uncooked filter: closing phrases

If you happen to’re seeking to up your picture enhancing recreation, the Digital camera Uncooked filter is important. This {powerful} software seamlessly integrates Adobe Digital camera Uncooked into Photoshop, permitting you to make changes to your photographs at any level in your workflow with out the necessity to change between packages.
Whereas it is probably not pretty much as good as the unique Adobe Digital camera Uncooked utility in the case of white steadiness changes or cropping, the Digital camera Uncooked filter nonetheless affords a variety of performance that may allow you to obtain the proper search for your photographs.
So, subsequent time you’re enhancing a picture in Photoshop, why not give the Digital camera Uncooked filter a shot? You may be stunned at simply how a lot it might improve your enhancing capabilities!
Bear in mind, pictures is all about experimentation and making an attempt out new methods. Don’t be afraid to mess around with the Digital camera Uncooked filter and see what sort of outcomes you possibly can obtain. Who is aware of, you may even uncover a brand new enhancing trick or two alongside the way in which!
Go forward and provides it a attempt. Your photographs (and your viewers) will thanks for it. Glad enhancing!