Hi Mike,
So what you are saying is that I don't have to do anything with most raws,once they are downloaded,correct?
That is correct. It depends on the original conditions at time of taking. If it's a high contrast image or white balance is off, then it's more likely refine is required to get the full tone range in bright and shadow areas.
Mikes profile is auto processing the raws ?
If you mean the Camera icc profile, not really. The icc profile converts the colours as the camera "sees" them for your monitor or printer. Most camera profiles have a wide gamut compared to say sRGB or Adobe RGB so you benefit in that way.
If need be,I can edit them further if I want.?
Yes.
Mike's auto processing is how his programming magic "looks" at the tonal range and exposure of the image and adjusts it to look good. With "difficult" images it's not necessarily perfect so that's when you use the Refine screen.
There's even more scope by using the editor after refine, especially with Tone Targeted Sharpening but the normal editing functions are there too.
No need to convert to 16 bit tiffs for printing,then...just print the raw .
That's right.
Raw images are 12 or 14 bit and most printers are 8 bit so QU only does 8 bit printing. Check out Mike's articles for more information.
http://ddisoftware.com/tech/articles/september-2009-digital-photography-reality-check-308/http://ddisoftware.com/tech/articles/december-2006-hype-or-hero-take-2-16-bit-printers/If you need help with the Refine process, I wrote a guide a little while ago but it is now out of date because the Refine screen now has new features. It will be of some help on things not fully covered in the new videos.
You can see that here
http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/Qimage%20RAW%20-%20A%20Guide%20R6.pdfThe up-to-date information for QU Raw processing is on the learning videos, "Lightning Raw" and "Raw Refine"
http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage-u/learn.htmTerry