More and more medium to high end cameras are being released with the added feature of being able to capture and save your pictures in RAW format. Selecting the RAW format stops the camera from processing the color separated (primary) data from the sensor and reducing the image's bit depth, and saves the picture in this unprocessed file type. This means that the full description of what the camera 'saw' is saved in the image file and is available to you for use in the production of quality pictures. Many photographers call this type of file a 'digital negative' as it has a broader dynamic range, extra colors and the ability to correct slightly inaccurate exposures.

Sounds great, doesn't it? All the quality of an information-rich image file to play with, but what is the catch? Well RAW files have to be processed before they can be used in a standard image-editing application. To access the full power of these digital negatives you will need to employ a special dedicated RAW editor. Photoshop Elements 3.0 is the first version of the program to have such an editor built into the program. Designed specifically to allow you to take the unprocessed RAW data directly from your camera's sensor and convert it into a usable image file format, the Elements RAW editor also provides access to several image characteristics that would otherwise be locked into the file format. Variables such as color depth, white balance mode, image sharpness...