Hi Friends,
I needed a new digital camera to be able to shoot high resolution images of my paintings for a company that sells prints of my work. They require 24 megapixel images, and my older DSLR camera is only 10.2 megapixels.
Updating technology can be a can of worms, but I consider myself to be fairly tech savvy, and I didn’t think it would be a problem. I researched cameras, found one that’s compatible with my Nikon lenses and fit all of the requirements, and bought it.
It took several days to learn how to use the Nikon D5600 camera. When I finally felt competent, I set up my backdrop, lighting and tripod, and thought I was good to go.
Nope! It turns out that the RAW files the camera generates are not compatible with the CS6 version of Photoshop I use. No problem. Take a deep breath and go to the Adobe website to download the latest camera RAW plug-ins.
No go on that one as well. It turns out that the latest version of the plug-ins are not compatible with my older Windows 7 computer.
OK. Another deep breath. Surely there’s a workaround. Adobe Lightroom Classic? Not compatible with Windows 7. Convert the RAW files to TIFF files? It didn’t work and gave an error. I tried half a dozen other approaches, none of which solved the problem.
After many hours of Google searches and mind-boggling technical jargon my head was spinning and I was ready to scream. This high-tech stuff can be crazy making. The problem with upgrading one component is that it’s often not compatible with other older components.
This is not the part of being an artist that I enjoy!
In the meantime, the camera does take lovely JPEG images, which are low resolution and can’t be used for prints. JPEG images work fine for the Internet, but a 24 megapixel camera is overkill for the Internet! Here’s my latest painting photographed with my new camera in low resolution. The colors are perfect and the detail is better than it was with my older camera.
“Waves of Love,” 30 x 30 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
Let me know if you’re knowledgeable about digital cameras and the various file formats for Photoshop CS6. Maybe you’ve run into a similar problem and have some ideas about how to make this work.
What kind of crazy have you had to deal with lately? I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts. You can share them with us in the comments section below.
With love and appreciation,
Cassandra
Why not update your computer program?
Isn’t it time?
Hi Helga. I would have to buy a new computer and switch to Photoshop on the Cloud, both of which are quite expensive. I didn’t really want to spend that additional money right now. I’m still hoping to find a workaround.
Cassie, I feel your pain. I’ve been wrestling with technology all year producing yoga classes from my bedroom via zoom. Bought a new computer for better camera only to find that it had inferior microphone, etc. It goes on and on. And it always feels like your alone on a desert island. Only that would be so much better! I hope you find your way out of the conundrum soon. xo
Hi Rama! Yes, being alone on a desert island does sound preferable, or at least more peaceful. The technology stuff can be insanely complicated, and who wants to know everything there is to know about it? I just want it to work, I don’t want to become an expert in it! Crazy making.
Bought a “low end” Nikon at Costco… Connected it with my computer. Took a few photos. Was not overly impressed with the results. Put it and its numerous accessories in a drawer, and went back to using my convenient little Lumix, also from Costco, (has manual settings and a Leica lens). Since I mostly photograph nature, seldom make prints – and send them out when I do, the picture quality usually suits my needs. I also can fix some things in Photoshop. My Pixel phone camera also takes decent pictures, even though its ‘cloud storage’ now restricts file size, diminishing quality level. My biggest problem of late, is not being able to SEE the electronic viewfinder screens in the sunlight. Effectively, I’m doing “point and shoot” photos these days! Tech headaches on a different level.
Yes, I can’t see my phone screen in the sunlight, either. So when you’re taking a picture you have no idea what’s in the frame and not in the frame. Aggravating, for sure!
i am completely cluless about everything i need to know in order to photograph and download pictures…i can google i can facebook i can yahoo…ican shop…but beyond that cluless….i have a garage full of pour paintings ..i have been at it for a couple of years…and they just live in the garage with a 30 year collection of quilting fabrics…I also do not have a smart phone……I am leaving the decision to my step kids…to deal with when i am not longer around…Toni T
Hi Toni. I hear you. I have hundreds of paintings and collages, hundreds of cans of paint, and tons of other stuff in my studio. It’s going to be a nightmare for someone! Are there people who you know that might enjoy having some of your paintings? Maybe family or friends?
You need to update to Windows 10. Windows 7 is not being supported any longer. So nothing is updated any longer on Windows 7. All the stuff that you have tried thus far probably would have worked on updating your operating system. I would wonder if your computer is old enough that it would support Windows 10. Anyway, that’s my input. I had to update mine to Windows 10 too. Works great.
PS Windows 7 support ended on 1-14-20. Check out this link for info:
http://www.cnet.com
Article you want is from 6-17-21(how to download Windows 10 for free)
Good luck
Thanks for the info, Susan. Yeah, I know that support for Windows 7 ended a year or so ago, but I’m pretty sure updating to Windows 10 will mess up a bunch of other stuff! That’s why I haven’t done it. Eventually I’ll buy a new computer, but not today. In the meantime I’m doing my best to make what I have work! And everything is fine for the time being except this new camera.
Bonjour Cassandre,
Vos fichiers .raw peuvent être ouvert avec Photoshop CC2019 qui peut s’installer sous Windows 7.
Si cela peut vous aider c’est avec plaisir.
J’apprécie beaucoup vos peintures.
Cordialement Jean-Michel
Thanks for the info, Jean-Michel. I had not heard of Photoshop CC2019 before, and will give it a try.