RAW files impact more than just the...

RAW files impact more than just the photogs.
My name is Chris Kitze and my website is www.chriskitze.com. I believe an Open RAW format is the basis of what I call the Digital Original, which has the potential to revolutionize the way photography is distributed/consumed and potentially the perception of reality.
I won't rehash all the quality and creative issues that have been well covered at this site, but this has serious implications far beyond what most people imagine.
Making the original file as captured by the camera available as a download by the public makes every lack of RAW standards a huge issue that not only effects me personally, but also the thousands of members of the general public who download my imagery.
I have been in the software business for over 20 years and have seen this same game played by hardware manufacturers in CD-ROM, CD-Video, DVD, PC Video boards, etc. every time there is a new "standard" to set.
There is a solution. OpenRAW will need to organize a forum and rent a room at the next trade show (PMA, etc.) and invite all the software and camera manufacturers into a room full of upset professional photogs. You might be able to get Adobe and some of the other software developers to contribute to the cost of this.
OpenRAW should also design a logo and consider licensing it to all manufacturers and software developers who follow the OpenRAW guidelines. This informs consumers that the camera they purchase will work with most all software and that the photos they take will be able to be read into the future.
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http://www.chriskitze.com

Chris Kitze – Mon, 2005/04/25 – 1:41pm

Great suggestions....

Great suggestions.

Scott Bennett – Mon, 2005/04/25 – 1:51pm

Hear, hear! I'm not sure about the room full of angry...

Hear, hear!

I'm not sure about the room full of angry photographers, however. I'm thinking more of a round table discussion.

If they don't listen when we ask politely, then it's time to bring out the angry photographers.

jean Dudley – Mon, 2005/04/25 – 2:43pm