Last Friday, I got a couple of photography requests for discussion. Brandon asked,
I have a request for your next post on photography. Would you mind explaining the differences between shooting in RAW vs. JPEG format? I had someone mention it to me the other day, but never got a great explanation of what the advantages were for either of them.
Below you will find some more technical information about the difference between shooting RAW versus JPEG, but let me make a few personal comments. First, most point-and-shoot cameras do not offer the capability of shooting RAW, so unless you have a D-SLR, you are stuck with JPEG. Second, you cannot shoot in RAW mode in automatic camera mode. You must shoot in either Manual (M), Program (P), aperture priority (Av), or shutter priority (Tv). Third, most photography software do not read RAW files, so you need to make sure you get the appropriate plug-in’s (for Photoshop check out this one) or proprietary software (for Canon there is Digital Photo Professional and for Nikon there is Nikon Capture) to benefit from shooting with RAW. Fourth, check back for frequent updates on software because RAW software development is continually getting better (my DPP has upgraded three times in the past two years). Fifth, some cameras allow you to shoot RAW+JPEG which is nice but eats up your memory card. I know a wedding photographer who shoots RAW+JPEG (small) because if the memory card becomes corrupted, JPEGS are much easier to recover than RAW files, and certain moments like a kiss at a wedding ceremony a photographer must have.
Now, a basic definition of RAW and JPEG is in order. A simple way to understand RAW files is that they are uncompressed, unformated files which maximizes the data (pixels) from the image sensor. RAW images have a high dynamic range and are recorded in either 8-bit or 12-bit color. Basically, RAW files are the digital negatives that must be processed or converted as they are attributed proprietary names (Canon RAW is .CRW and Nikon is .NEF). Basically RAW gives you a clean place to start editing, a prior point of reference, and a greater options for post-processing.
A JPEG file is the normal compression for a digital image. Because it is compressed, it is fairly smaller in size and not all the pixels are available in the image. JPEG’s can be viewed through any software program or computer and file sharing as well as camera-to-printer options are much easier. At one time, shooting JPEG was much preferable for those who did not have much memory, but given the increasing drop of memory cards, the argument for shooting JPEG over RAW because of saving file space appears illegitimate.
Now, if you can’t tell already, I only shoot in RAW, regardless of the setting. I do this for several reasons. First, the most important aspects of getting a good image is making sure it is in focus, good composition, and properly exposed. I am not thinking about white balance (WB), conversion to black or white, sepia, etc. If you shoot fast and often, shooting RAW gives you the ability to process the details of the photo on the back end while concerning yourself with only the most important features of a quality image. Now, when shooting RAW images, you need a fast-reading memory card (at least a Sandisk Ultra II if not Extreme III), and the images are rather large (for my 20D, there come to be about 10MB per image). For a 2GB card, I get around 220 images, and for a 4GB card, I get around 500 images.
There are, of course, disadvantages to shooting RAW. First, it requires more work. You have additional steps you need to take in post-processing, but you do not need to process each image individually. If you want to go ahead and convert them all to JPEG, you can do a batch process and make them all JPEG’s with just a few clicks on your mouse. The time it takes to convert them will depend on the speed of your computer. Now, the key is mastering a nice digital workflow that will enable you to save time and reap the benefits of shooting RAW. Some RAW editing software you might want to check out include Breeze Downloader Pro (for uploading onto your hardrive), Breeze Browser Pro (for viewing), and Phase One Capture One (for editing RAW images). There is of course the other RAW editing proprietary programs for Canon and Nikon as well (I use Canon’s DPP all the time). A second disadvantage is the need to backup your RAW files, which usually means getting an additional external hard drive. Right now, I have approximately 200GB of RAW files stored on my 300GB external hard drive. Third, image sharing will not be as easy with RAW files. For instance, if I shoot a wedding or event with another photographer who shoots Nikon, he will not be able to read my .CRW files with his Nikon Capture (he will if he has Adobe’s RAW plug-in). Therefore, it will be likely that you will need to batch process your photos into JPEG files to share with others.
In summary, I find there to be far greater benefits for shooting RAW than JPEG. It gives me an uncompressed image to start with and greater options (especially exposure correction, white balance adjustment, and contast/saturation tweaking). In fact, every professional photographer I know shoots only RAW, so if there is a professional opinion, it is basically unanimous. I would say, however, that if you are not looking to produce fine photos with a touch of excellence, then going with JPEG would certainly be fine for everyday shooting. But then again, you wouldn’t have taken the time to read this article either.
Additional Resources:
Understanding Digital RAW Capture by Adobe
RAW Capture, Linear Gamma, and Exposure by Adobe
Understanding RAW Files by The Luminous Landscape
RAW vs. JPEG: Which Format Should You Shoot? by Pop Photo
JPEG vs. RAW: Advantanges and Disadvantages Explained by Pop Photo
RAW vs. JPEG by Digital Photography School
JPEG vs. RAW: Getting It Right the First Time by Ken Rockwell
RAW vs. JPEG: Is Shooting RAW for Me? by Jim Goldstein
Found this helpful? Let me know what you think. Now go take some pictures (me included)!
This helps me a ton, man. Thanks.
If we have Adobe Lightroom and the standard Photoshop elements that came with our 20D’s, will that be enough to edit RAW files, or not? You mentioned being able to do better white balance editing etc. with RAW files, and I know Lightroom does some of those things, but I did not know if we needed anything additional to edit RAW files.
This is great stuff to be learning. My wife and I are probably shooting our first wedding coming up in July. I’d love any help you can offer.
Thanks again for the post,
Brandon
Brandon,
Glad to help. I noticed that one of the photo mag’s did a review of Adobe’s Lightroom. I am not familiar with it, so I did not reference it in the post. Perhaps it would be a nice replacement some where in the digital workflow.
Did you get Canon’s Digital Photo Professional software with your 20D? You should have, unless they have replaced it with the Lightroom. If they did, I am assuming the Lightroom is much better than DPP. In that case, Lightroom and Elements should work just fine. I think most photographers know and use less than 5% of what Photoshop can do, and of that 5% being used, I’m pretty sure that Elements offers it as well.
Basically, I would do my RAW editing in DPP, convert it to JPEG, and then go into Photoshop. I do have the PS plug-in for RAW, but I am not sold on it really (though I am still experimenting).
What I would do is take RAW image and see if your Lightroom software will read it. If it does, then you are game. If not, I would go back to the box and see if DPP was included. Personally, I don’t think it would make sense for Canon to sell a camera like the 20D and not include their proprietary software. But I might be wrong!
Let me know what you come up with.
Check that. I just went to Adobe’s website and noticed that indeed, Lightroom offers much more than DPP. That came with your camera?! They have it listed for $299! If so, that’s quite the deal. Me need one. 😉
Oh and about that wedding, email me the date, and perhaps we can hang out either then or before and talk photography.
For those curious, to explore Adobe’s lightroom, go here:
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom/
Hey Guys:
I have been using Lightroom for about two months now. It is incredible. It beats DPP hands down. I paid $95 for it through Academic Superstore (assuming you are a student). I now use LR for about 95% of my workflow.
The only things I really don’t like is the sharpening and noise reduction controls which they are reportedly fixing with the soon to be released update 1.1.
What I like about it:
1. The ability to tag and mark your photos for organization with flags, stars and colors. This allows for a diversity of organizational structures within LR itself to help keep things uncluttered.
2. Of course it is a RAW program so you are not altering the final state of your files. If you mess them up you can always return to the original. As a side note, the flexibility of RAW was the main reason why I bought a DSLR.
3. You can tag photos with keywords and change the metadata of a photo or group of photos. For example when you import photos into LR I have a copyright metadata preset so it automatically applies my copyright signature to all my photos when it brings them into LR.
4. Having more than two lenses I like that I can organize my photos by lens. This also goes for cameras if you have more than two.
5. Basically all the major adjustment features that one would do in Photoshop can be done in LR’s Develop module. And no layers are needed since we are working with indestructible RAW files. You can change the exposure by + or – 4 stops, use the tone curve, do split toning, add fill light. I also love the recovery tool which helps recover over exposed highlights.
6. I could go on and on but those are just a few things I really like. Just one last thing. They have a lights out feature which darkens the whole screen around the photo so you can view the photo alone against a black back drop. This is very cool!
In short, I would download the trial and play with it for 30 days. Be sure to also check out these links. http://www.whibalhost.com/_Tutorials/Photoshop_LR/01/index.html
http://www.ononesoftware.com/photopresets-wow.php
Let me put your mind at ease: No Lightroom did not come with the camera. That would have been sweet. Actually we were recommended the program by a photographer that my wife studied under and it’s outstanding. It makes some mediocre shots turn out looking professional.
However, I need to check to see if Lightroom converts RAW to jpeg or not. I’ll update you when I find out.
Also, hanging out and learning from you would be great. Let me know when your schedule is open. As of now, I’m just preparing for J-terms and working.
Talk to you soon,
Brandon
p.s. – in RAW, do you shoot large-fine, large-normal….?
Lightroom can import and edit RAW, and then it exports them as jpegs, tiffs, etc.
Next month will be really busy. I too have a J-term, shooting two weddings, family vacation, and then the Founders National Conference. But July is looking pretty open.
I need to look more into Lightroom. The review and now this give me enough impetus to perhaps check out the free trial version.
As far as my RAW settings, my screen just says “RAW”. I normally do not shoot RAW+JPEG, but if I do, I always shoot the RAW+JPEG small (normal) setting. Does that make sense?
William,
Sorry for the post delay. It got stuck in the moderation pool, and I just realized it!
One of the things I have wrestled with is a good noise reduction software. I have tried Photoshop’s abilities and looked at Noise Ninja and Neat Image. Perhaps Adobe can wow us with a nice update on that.
I guess I am really old school with DPP. I thought I was hip when I downloaded the latest version. 😐
Great post on the differences between RAW and JPG! I’m still a “wannabe” D-SLR owner – currently just shooting with film on Nikon N70 when it’s a special occasion. Hopefully this summer I will be able to cross over. In the meantime, I am soaking up all I can learn on using DSLR, so thanks for sharing!!
Bretta,
You’re welcome. I unfortunately never got into film. My friends who made the transition to digital told me that you’re not a true photographer until you can shoot and develop your own film. So I join you in the “wannabe” status. 😉
I do have a point and shoot digital camera, but when it’s special I use the film. And, uh, I DON’T develop my own film! I usually just get a cd processed with no prints and then photoshop them at home and THEN get prints.