RAW or JPEG?
RAW or JPEG
In this guide, we talk about the common question and topic regarding photographing in RAW and JPEG formats.
First off
You’ll usually find this topic titled “RAW VS JPEG” but, we prefer RAW or JPEG. Although they’re file formats they have different uses making their application situational.
What are they?
RAW and JPEG are two common file formats used in digital photography.
These formats can be changed in the menu of the camera with options to, only shoot RAW, only shoot JPEG or a combination of both, RAW and JPEG.
WHAT IS JPEG And why use it?
A JPEG is a commonly used file format in photography that utilises lossy compression to reduce file size. It is widely supported across various devices and platforms, making it easy to share and view images. Photographers often use JPEG format when they need to store a large number of images due to its smaller file size compared to other formats like RAW.
Each camera has its built-in editing algorithm which processes your image’s colour. When shooting in JPEG the camera uses this algorithm to produce your image but in RAW the image is unaffected and essentially, raw data.
Additionally, JPEG files are ideal for images that do not require extensive editing or post-processing, as the compression can result in a loss of image quality when edited multiple times.
What is RAW and why use it?
The RAW format in photography is a file type that contains minimally processed data from the camera's sensor. Unlike JPEG, which applies in-camera processing to the image, RAW files preserve all the original information captured by the sensor. This format allows photographers greater flexibility in post-processing, as they have more control over adjusting elements such as exposure, white balance, and sharpness without compromising image quality.
RAW files are significantly larger than JPEG files and require specialised software to view and edit as well as a decent computer to be able to process the data efficiently.
Professional photographers often prefer shooting in RAW to achieve the highest level of customisation and image quality in their work.
Additionally, if shooting at high frames per second you may need a high-quality memory card so no buffering takes place.
CONCLUSION
The image needs to be processed
Large file size
Greater editing flexibility
RAW
Image processed by the camera
Small file size
Restricted editing, especially in shadows
JPEG
In a nutshell, please think about your image before you take it. Will it require post-processing to achieve my vision and desired outcome? If not, then you’re most probably fine with JPEG.
Most modern cameras can save an image in both RAW and JPEG formats. We recommend doing this as even if you’re currently not in the position to process RAW files, you might be later on as you progress. That way you have some of your favourite shots ready for processing, should you wish.
