I would like to ask the resident experts what the basis is for the Camera Raw's auto function (CS2 version). Are the Camera raw settings exclusively determined by the software separate from the actual exposure settings? I understand these are optimal settings; but what's the basis? TIA.

Hi Arnell, basically the basis of Camera Raw's auto function is your image's histogram; Raw exif as well as the loaded camera profile in the version of ACR you are working on... Based on all these cumulative data, ACR's algorithms try to come up with an image which is as adequately exposed as possible...

Hope this somehow helps. :)

Camera Raw uses an Auto Adjustments option that applies image settings to a file by evaluating the image data in addition to using the Camera Raw default settings and the EXIF data.

Thanks for the response guys.

Now if I understand what you wrote correctly, the program tries to optimize regardless of your preferred exposure setting. What do I do so that it reverts to my settings during exposure - turn camera raw off? TIA

Thanks for the response guys.

Now if I understand what you wrote correctly, the program tries to optimize regardless of your preferred exposure setting. What do I do so that it reverts to my settings during exposure - turn camera raw off? TIA

Hi Arnell, I'm just curious... what settings are you specifically referring too? In-camera exposure or Raw settings inside PS? Or are you referring to your custom settings in-camera? :)

Based on my own observation only, the auto setting tends to make every shot look the same.
The auto actually does a good job, but unless you want all pics to have the same look it's not ideal.
Drove me nuts initially since i was expecting the RAW's to be RAW, how come it's editing itself in front of my eyes.

You can actually switch off the ACR auto function which is what i prefer.
You can press cmd/cntrl U to switch off the auto function or toggle back and forth.
and if you want to always have it off, click on the right faced triangle besides settings to saw it as a default. works great! I feel transferring the "recipe" changes from one to another is more consistent.
Note though that you have to do this for every camera since it resets to auto for a new camera, but it's pretty painless.

Based on my own observation only, the auto setting tends to make every shot look the same.
The auto actually does a good job, but unless you want all pics to have the same look it's not ideal.
Drove me nuts initially since i was expecting the RAW's to be RAW, how come it's editing itself in front of my eyes.

You can actually switch off the ACR auto function which is what i prefer.
You can press cmd/cntrl U to switch off the auto function or toggle back and forth.
and if you want to always have it off, click on the right faced triangle besides settings to saw it as a default. works great! I feel transferring the "recipe" changes from one to another is more consistent.
Note though that you have to do this for every camera since it resets to auto for a new camera, but it's pretty painless.
I see your point... simply put, ACR's auto function is its suggestion of an optimized Raw image file... After decoding your Raw file without running it in your native camera's Raw format SDK... It presents you within the auto format it's pre-edited rendition or interpretetion of what your pic should be (according to the plugin)... But of course you can bypass this to revert to Raw defaults anytime you like. :)

Thanks guys. Just wanted to confirm what I suspected.

Happy snaps. :)