Can someone point me to information about using the nine squares in the Refine Raw window or give an explanation of what can and can't be done using the nine squares. I am wondering if they can be changed separately from the whole image or why they even exist. Can I apply a global adjustment and then an adjustment within one or more of the nine squares or is selecting a square akin to using the exposure in that square as the "whole image" for an image wide exposure adjustment? I hope what I am trying to say is clear.
Andy, Hi
There are 10 exposure adjustments available to you.
Refine chooses the most likely exposure value for you. Let's say the camera got fooled by some strong backlighting, or you want to keep the beautiful clouds in the shot, but because the camera exposed for the sky and clouds, the people were too dark.
If you want to keep the clouds, you select a grid square with the clouds, and then add fill light.
If you want some other contingency to be the part that gets the exposure adjustment, then you click on that grid square, and add + FILL light or - minus Fill light until you get what you wanted.
Those 10 exposure settings plus infinite fill plus and minus, covers it all.
It's fun to experiment and try the different settings.
The darker the square you choose, the lighter the image.
BTW, the FILL is not just lighter or darker.
It is a very complex algorithm/formula that Mike wrote that adjusts saturation, gamma, contrast etc along varying and intersecting curves.
You will love it to death!
Fred