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How to Work With Nikon NEF Files

Nikon cameras save raw camera data as NEF files, or .NEF files. This file contains the unedited, unfiltered and unprocessed image data from the camera in a large file. Photo editing programs handle NEF files differently than normal files. Edits, changes and corrections do not apply directly to the NEF file. A camera raw reader program allows the photographer to view the file and see what applied changes look like, then saves those changes as a separate file.

Instructions

- 1
  Install a photo editing program which reads camera RAW files. Programs such as Adobe Photoshop and GIMP can handle camera RAW files.
- 2
  Update any camera RAW file plugins for your chosen program. These can usually be found on the official website for the program. Updated plugins ensure that your program can handle files from the latest Nikon cameras.
- 3
  Open your .NEF file. Click on the "File" menu and select "Open," then navigate to your file. Highlight the file, then click "Open." This will open your unedited file in the camera RAW viewer. You will see an array of adjustable options for applying edits to your image such as brightness and contrast, color balance, vignetting and more.
- 4
  Apply adjustments in the camera RAW viewer by adjusting the dynamic sliders and viewing the results being applied to the preview of your image.
- 5
  Save the edited file in a standard file format. This saves the edited file as a copy which can be viewed in web browsers or may be compatible with a printer. Select "Save As" from the file menu and enter in a file name. Choose a file type, then select "Save".
- 6
  Save the original file. The adjustments save in a "sidecar" file and do not apply to the original .NEF file. When you next open a file in the camera raw viewer, the adjustments from the sidecar file appear.

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