Need to recover detail in a camera RAW photo before retouching it? Adobe Camera Raw opens and develops RAW images, with adjustments saved separately from the original image data.
Open camera files in Camera Raw
Camera Raw is an Adobe plug-in for processing camera RAW files. In a Photoshop or Bridge workflow, open a supported image to bring up its editing interface. It also handles DNG files, Adobe’s Digital Negative format.
RAW files retain camera-captured data that can be adjusted during development. Camera Raw saves editing instructions separately from the original image data, so changing exposure or color does not overwrite the untouched RAW capture.
Adjust tone and color
Use the editing controls to set exposure and white balance, then refine highlights and shadows to bring out detail in bright or dark areas.
Presets apply a saved look, while individual controls let you tune the result for a particular photo. The preview updates as settings change, so you can assess the developed image before moving on.
Reuse settings across a shoot
For a group of photos made under similar lighting, select multiple images and synchronize adjustments. Presets and synchronized settings reduce repeated work while keeping a consistent starting look across the set.
Continue editing in Photoshop
After developing a RAW photo, open it in Photoshop for further retouching or compositing. Camera Raw covers the initial RAW adjustments; Photoshop provides the next stage of the workflow.
Pros
- Adjust exposure, white balance, highlights, and shadows
- Apply presets or synchronize edits across selected photos
- Continue from RAW development into Photoshop retouching
Cons
- Support for newer camera models depends on the Camera Raw release
System requirements: Windows 10, Windows 11 · Minimum 4 GB RAM · 4 GB available disk space; additional space required for installation · 2 GHz or faster Intel/AMD processor with SSE 4.2 or later, or 2 GHz or faster 64-bit ARM processor
Does Camera Raw change the original RAW file?
Its adjustments are stored separately from the original image data, leaving the camera capture unchanged.
Can Camera Raw process several photos with the same settings?
Yes. Select images with similar conditions and synchronize adjustments, or apply a preset.
Where does Camera Raw fit in a Photoshop workflow?
Open a supported camera file in Camera Raw to develop it, then continue with retouching in Photoshop.