Here is a sample of RAW and how it can help make your photos better.
Normal RAW exposure.
Normal exposure jpg. They look pretty close because you are looking at a computer monitor. The RAW has been converted to jpg in post. The original jpg was done by the camera, a 1Ds Mk III in this case.
However, suspose you got something wrong. In this case I under exposed it by 3 stops. But it could be any condition. WB, color balance, saturation, and on and on, etc.
Corrected RAW.
Corrected jpg. But below lets look a little closer.
Especially check the shadows. Can you see the difference? Need a better look? OK, here is a 100% crop of that enlargment.
It should be blantly obivious that RAW is the way to go. All else was equal. Same camera. Same lens. Same time of day. Same, same!
Get Lightroom................
@ebiggs1 wrote:Hmmmm.........well maybe you will like this one better?
There are so many incorrect thoughts about your last post, I hardly know where to start. At this point in my beginners progress I usually let them start drawing a lot of conclusions of their own. I was/am going to let you do so, too. You will learn as you go, what works for you and what doesn't.
If you remain an amertuer or even advanced amertuer, DPP may be fine. I doubt it but it could be. Bob from Boston doesn't care one way or the other whether you use DPP or not. He is simply trying to show how it can be used and put to good use.
You can't do some of the things in post editing you are seeing because DPP can not. That is the problem, with DPP. It is so limiting and lacking in its ability. Plus, I prefer and as most pros think, ACR9 does a better job with RAW.
Even PSE 13 and LR6 will reach the limit of what they can do. The ultimate is Photoshop but it too will reach a point where it can not fix issues either.
Remember f2.8 is just one stop faster than f4.
Your pic is looks good also. Maybe it's the color (kinda drab to me), but I really like that one of the horse eye, and those birds flying over water better. I liked how you got the birds from their reflection in the water. Not saying these are not good, they are, I just like those other ones better. I may be wrong, but I think the others are even sharper. Maybe it's the color here, or the lens, I dunno.
Well on DPP, from what I can see now, I would upgrade in the near future whether I go pro or not. I can see how limited I am with DPP and I know I will want better soon. I hope we don't even talk of things with being a pro in mind, I just want to get good at photography, and I do want good gear ......no matter what. I soon get fustrated with inferior gear, so I won't waste my money even going There. In fact, I've bitten the bullet and ordered the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L Looking at the Canon EF 100mm L next in my collection unless you say it's not a good choice and another choice would be better. I'm looking at these lens along with my 24-105L being the foundation that I will work from. Later on I'm considering a few of the 3rd party Lenses you've been sanging the praises of...for longer range shots. But for now I'm looking at these 3 Canon lenses to be my main gear for most of my pics.
I don't understand what you mean in my incorrect thoughts you speak of. But what I said is how I see things for now. I'm not saying I'm correct, only it's how I see things. If there's things I said incorrectly or unclear, or need to do different, I'm more than willing to change or correct something when I'm wrong or on the wrong track. I'm not a person who will hold on to a thought or position out of stubborness. Long as I see a logical reason for change I will do so no problem. Otherwise I will keep quiet and learn my way as you say I should. But I will follow your suggestion within reason, you're the teacher, I'm the student.
@ebiggs1 wrote:"... what are you going to do with another Canon 85mm lens??? You probably got several 85mm lens already. That Canon EF 85mm f1.2L ll is very expensive for a 85mm, even a Canon L. I was looking at the Canon 100mm L and it's less than 1/2 the price of that Canon 85mm. What is it with that lens that justifies the cost???"
I do this...............
I sold the Sigma 85mm f1.4 right after I got the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM. You don't really want me to explain all the differences between the 100mm f2 and the 85mm f1.2? Do you? Just think of it this way, there are no similarities except they both fit on a Canon camera!
This is really nice Obiwan, I like it.
I'm only telling you my thoughts on lens, I'm not saying one is better than anyother, I'm not knowledgable enough to do that yet. In my thinking, since the 2 lens are so close in range, I thought either would be acceptable for closeup face shots like this one of yours here. I know there's a aperture difference, but both should be good in low light. If I'm wrong say so. Though sometimes what I say may sound like a statement, it's really just another way I ask a question. I'm merely sharing what I'm thinking, not saying I think I'm right, or that I have made a final descision on a matter.
@ebiggs1 wrote:"... what are you going to do with another Canon 85mm lens??? You probably got several 85mm lens already. That Canon EF 85mm f1.2L ll is very expensive for a 85mm, even a Canon L. I was looking at the Canon 100mm L and it's less than 1/2 the price of that Canon 85mm. What is it with that lens that justifies the cost???"
I do this...............
I sold the Sigma 85mm f1.4 right after I got the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM. You don't really want me to explain all the differences between the 100mm f2 and the 85mm f1.2? Do you? Just think of it this way, there are no similarities except they both fit on a Canon camera!
Well guess you've said it all here. But from my comment, you should guess I thought they could be compatible....either one for same shot. I want something for a pic like yours here of the little one. I suppose you would recommend the 85mm. Ok, I'll go with the 85mm.
BTW...nice pic, I like this one.
"Thanks. I did forget about the crop factor here. You're right, 85mm would be better for me. Do you think a different lens better?"
Yes, I do. A 50mm would be better. Better yet neither!!!!!!!!!! You have the 24-105mm. Do you not???? It includes 50mm and 85mm. 
