Don’t spend a lot of brain power on converting to DNG or not. Get past all this file format, algorithm, conversion, techie, non-creative stuff as fast as you can. I always say this but I’ll say it again here. From what I can see it makes no visible difference on your photos. Does that mean I should change my workflow?Ī. So that’s why you’ve probably seen DNG files from me. While I think it’s helpful for you to practice on the same raw files I use, you don’t need to practice on a full 42 Megapixel file to see the results of whatever lesson I’m giving. Imagine the file size of the downloads for that. I often include 20, 30 or even 50 raw files in a big course of mine. DNG let’s me knock that down to 2000 pixels which reduces the size A LOT. I shoot a 42 Megapixel camera and my uncompressed raw files are over 80 MB each and 7000 pixels wide. That’s because DNG gives you the option to reduce the size of the raw file significantly. Yes, I convert my raw files to DNG for my course downloads. Matt, I’ve bought your courses and I’ve noticed many of the download files you give are DNG?Ī. So it just doesn’t serve any purpose (for me) to save all of my keywords/edits in the DNG file because I’m going to use LR to look at them anyway. No other program would be able to do anything with my LR settings that were stored in the DNG anyway (raw edits are propriety so other programs can’t use them). As for my raw/develop settings, I use Lightroom… My photos stay in LR. Next, I don’t keyword, so having keywords get saved with the file doesn’t do much for me. If I move/copy my files somewhere having the XMP file tag along just isn’t a problem I’ve faced. First, dealing with the XMP file isn’t difficult for me. But again, that just doesn’t matter to me. I say “can” because this option isn’t on by default and you need to turn it on in the Catalog Prefs in Lightroom. But it may be for you, so that’s okay.Ģ) DNG files “can” save your edits, metadata, and keywords directly in the file without the. If “So-and-So” recommended it and you follow it, you’re happy, and everything works for you, I wouldn’t change a thing.Īnd if you’re wondering why some folks recommend it over others, there’s 2 main reasons:ġ) The files are smaller – as I mentioned, storage space is cheap, and that’s not a good enough reason for me. As I mentioned before, I have zero logical and documented reasoning behind my lack of converting to DNG. But I read an article or watched a video where “So-and-So” recommended I convert to DNG. But hey… I could be wrong (I usually am) □ And since the whole DNG thing never really “took”, I don’t see them rushing to make a DNG converter built in to their programs. But a lot of folks are using other programs that don’t convert to DNG (even though they support opening it). I have the option to convert to DNG whenever I want. Storage is cheap.įinally, here’s a reason that doesn’t affect me but may affect some of you. Nor do I have reason enough to ever try to get it, because I’m perfectly happy with my raw files and the space they take. But, it’s supposed to be the same quality. See, DNG is supposed to be 20% smaller than the original raw file. I guess I have a fundamental block against something I just don’t understand. When my camera shoots in DNG, then I’ll probably use it.Īlso, I just trust my camera manufacturer and the raw files they give me. And if every camera and software company adopted it, I’d be all for it. But that problem doesn’t exist today, and I’m just not worried that it’ll happen in 30 years either. So in 30 years if your camera manufacturer isn’t around or some one decides to stop supporting your raw format, DNG will theoretically always be able to be read. I get why it was created – because it’s a non-proprietary raw format. Next, I believe it’s trying to solve a problem that just doesn’t exist. So then I’d have to do an extra step later. I don’t use LR’s import dialog because I like to manually put my photos where I want them. I have absolutely zero documented and founded reason for not doing it. If you find something where I said I was, it was a LONG time ago (like 8+ years) and I’ve since changed.Ī. I’ve never really been on board with DNG. I just found an article I wrote 8 years ago where I wrote almost the same thing I’m writing here. Matt, didn’t you used to recommend converting to DNG?Ī. I got a lot of questions about it so I figured it called for a quick Q&A. I did a video the other day and mentioned something about DNG and how I don’t convert to it.
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