Why Use Adobe Camera Raw?

Question

I prefer to edit photos in Photoshop. However, my photos nowadays are all raw. So, when I open them, Photoshop forces me first into Adobe Camera Raw. It automatically adjusts various aspects of the image. For example, the tint slider is never at 0. For the image I'm working on now, it's set to +16. Does that mean Camera Raw is adding a red tint to the image? Or does it mean the original image has a red tint to it? Likewise, it always defaults to sharpening the image. I'm thinking of just setting all the sliders to 0 and then clicking "Open image" to do my editing in Photoshop. Is there any disadvantage to doing that?

Answer 1

I prefer Lightroom, so if I use Photoshop, I want the Adobe Camera RAW feature if possible. I'll start in Lightroom and then hit the option in Lightroom to further edit in Photoshop. This is typically the workflow if editing hundreds of photos, but it's a few here in there I'm intrigued by your question. This is different then most to not want this feature, so I did some searching.

I found a thread that says unfortunately Photoshop cannot deal with the RAW information as is, so it has to go through the Camera RAW pop up. I did notice that the As Shot option doesn't have a redish tint as the Auto "White Balance" selection does for the particular photo that I opened just now. I usually manually do this, or in Lightroom, I'll manually update one photo and mass edit the changes to the rest of the shoot.

https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/how-can-i-bypass-camera-raw-and-go-directly-to-photoshop.415318/

It seems that around 2010, when the thread was written that this feature (Camera RAW) was implemented. Unlike the previous version, the RAW photos could open directly into Photoshop like you are requesting.

I will note that you do have more control in the Camera RAW since these are features that come from Lightroom. I would check it out and see if you end up liking it. It may save you from having to make several layers in your Photoshop file and for me it has saved me time.