Photography Masterclass: RAW vs JPEG

What is RAW?

RAW is a file format that stores ALL of the information captured by the camera's sensor. It is a digital negative that can be processed in a number of ways to produce a final image. RAW files are not compressed and do not have any in-camera processing applied, so they contain all the data captured by the camera's sensor. This means that RAW files have a higher dynamic range and more tonal information than JPEGs, which allows for greater flexibility when adjusting exposure and recovering details in the highlights and shadows. RAW files also allow for more extensive post-processing and editing without causing degradation of image quality.

What are the main advantages of using RAW?

The main advantages of using RAW mode are:

• Retaining maximum image quality: RAW files are uncompressed and retain all of the data captured by the camera's sensor. This means they have a wider dynamic range and color depth, resulting in higher quality images.
• Greater flexibility in post-processing: RAW images provide more flexibility in post-processing, allowing you to make adjustments such as white balance, exposure, and color correction without losing image quality.
• Preserving color depth and dynamic range: RAW files retain all the original data, they are ideal for editing and producing high-quality prints. This allows you to retain the full range of colors and brightness levels captured by your camera, which can help to produce more detailed and accurate images.
• Possibility of more control on the final image: With RAW, you can have more control over the final image by adjusting white balance, exposure, noise reduction, sharpening and other settings.
• The ability to recover details: Because RAW files retain all the original data, it's possible to recover details from overexposed or underexposed images that would be lost in a JPEG.
• Future-proofing your images: Since RAW files retain all the original data, they are considered future-proof and can be edited and re-edited in the future with new software and technology.

What are the main disadvantages of using RAW?

The main disadvantages of using RAW mode are:

• Larger file sizes: RAW files are larger in file size and take up more space on your memory card. This means you'll need to have more storage space and backup your images more often to avoid losing them.
• Post-processing is required: RAW images require post-processing software to be converted into a viewable format. This can be time-consuming, and you'll need to learn how to use the software to get the most out of your images.
• Not as easy to share: RAW files are not as easy to share or upload online as JPEGs. They require more time and effort to process before they can be shared.
• Slower workflow: Because of the larger file sizes and the need for post-processing, shooting in RAW mode can slow down your workflow. It requires more time to process the images and to transfer them from the memory card to your computer.
• Not suitable for all scenarios: RAW mode is not always the best choice for all scenarios, for example, if you need to quickly share images on social media or if you need to print images in low quality.
• More hardware requirements: Since RAW files are larger, it may require more powerful computer, or hardware to store and process them efficiently.

What is JPEG?

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is a compressed image file format. It was developed in the early 1990s as a standard for digital images. JPEG is widely used for storing and sharing photographs and other types of digital images.

JPEG uses lossy compression, which means that some image data is lost during the compression process. The amount of compression can be adjusted, with more compression resulting in smaller file sizes but lower image quality. The degree of compression can be adjusted by the user depending on the desired trade-off between image quality and file size.

JPEGs are useful for sharing or displaying images online or in print, but they are not ideal for editing. Because JPEGs are already compressed, editing them will result in further loss of quality. JPEG files are smaller in file size than RAW files and are more easily shared and uploaded online. They are ready to be viewed without any post-processing required.

What are the main advantages of using JPEG?

The main advantages of using JPEG are:

• Smaller file sizes: JPEG files are smaller in file size than RAW files, which makes them ideal for sharing or displaying images online or in print.
• No post-processing required: JPEG images are ready to be viewed without any post-processing required. This makes them more convenient for sharing and displaying images.
• Faster workflow: Shooting in JPEG mode is generally faster and requires less memory than RAW mode. This can be beneficial if you need to quickly share images on social media or if you need to print images in low quality.
• Suitable for most scenarios: JPEG mode is suitable for most scenarios, and it's the most commonly used format for general photography.
• Backwards compatibility: JPEG is a widely used format, and it's supported by most image editing software, web browsers, and operating systems. This means that you can share your JPEG images with a wide range of devices and platforms.
• Lower hardware requirements: Since JPEG files are smaller in size, they require less storage space and can be processed efficiently on lower-end computers or mobile devices.

What are the main disadvantages of using JPEG?

The main disadvantages of using JPEG are:

• Lossy compression: JPEG uses lossy compression, which means that some image data is lost during the compression process. This results in lower image quality, especially in areas of high detail or high contrast.
• Narrower dynamic range and color depth: JPEGs have a narrower dynamic range and color depth than RAW images, which means they can't capture as much detail and color information as RAW images.
• Limited editing capabilities: Because JPEGs are already compressed, editing them will result in further loss of quality. They are not ideal for editing and producing high-quality prints.
• Lower image quality: The compression applied to JPEG images can lead to a loss of image quality and artifacts, particularly if the image is compressed too much.
• No ability to recover details: Because JPEGs have lost some of the data during compression, it's impossible to recover details from overexposed or underexposed images as you can with RAW.
• Not Future-proof: Since JPEG has lost some data during compression, the image quality may degrade over time. They are not considered future-proof, and can't be edited and re-edited in the future with new software and technology.

What are the main advantages of using RAW over JPEG?

• Increased dynamic range: RAW images contain more tonal information, which allows for greater flexibility when adjusting exposure and recovering details in the highlights and shadows.
• More editing options: Because RAW files contain more data, they allow for more extensive post-processing and editing without causing degradation of image quality.
• Non-destructive editing: Because RAW files are not compressed and do not have any in-camera processing applied, edits made to the file do not result in any loss of quality, unlike JPEGs which do lose quality when re-saved
• Better Color representation : RAW files store all the color data captured by the sensor, giving you more color information and more control over color adjustments during post-processing.
• Ability to change white balance after capture : JPEG files embed white balance settings, so once the image is captured, the white balance can't be changed without degrading image quality. With a RAW file, you can adjust white balance after the fact with minimal loss of quality.
• More control over noise reduction : RAW files allow for more granular control over noise reduction during post-processing, which can lead to more pleasing results than the noise reduction applied by the camera in JPEG mode.
• Better for High ISO : Since RAW files have more data, the camera can produce cleaner images in high-ISO situations.
• Possibility to create multiple versions : Having a RAW file means having the original image data, You can process it differently and create multiple versions of a photograph.
• Future-proofing your images : RAW files allow you to make the most of new technology and software advancements, as well as giving you the ability to come back to an image in the future to re-edit it if you want to.

Tips for shooting in RAW

Shooting in RAW mode is a great way to capture high-quality images and retain maximum image data. However, it can also be a bit more challenging than shooting in JPEG mode. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your RAW images:

• Understand your camera's settings: Before you start shooting in RAW, make sure you understand your camera's settings and how to adjust them. This includes things like ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.
• Use a tripod: Shooting in RAW mode often requires longer shutter speeds, which can result in camera shake and blur. To prevent this, use a tripod to keep your camera steady.
• Experiment with exposure: RAW images have a wider dynamic range than JPEGs, so you have more room to experiment with exposure. Try underexposing and overexposing your shots to see how it affects the final image.
• Use a polarizing filter: A polarizing filter can help reduce glare and improve color saturation in your images. This is particularly useful when shooting landscapes or other outdoor scenes.
• Take multiple shots: With RAW mode, you have the flexibility to take multiple shots and choose the best one later. This can be especially useful when shooting in challenging lighting conditions.
• Use post-processing software: RAW images require post-processing software to be converted into a viewable format. Some popular choices include Lightroom, Adobe Camera Raw and Capture One.
• Learn to use your software: If you want to get the most out of your RAW images, you need to learn how to use your post-processing software. Take the time to experiment and learn the different tools and features available.
• Backup your images: RAW images are large in size, and they take up a lot of space on your memory card. Make sure to backup your images regularly to avoid losing them.

Shooting in RAW mode takes a bit more time and effort than shooting in JPEG mode, but the results are well worth it. With the right approach and the right post-processing software, you can create stunning, high-quality images that truly capture the beauty of the world around you.

Tips for shooting in JPEG

Here are some tips for shooting in JPEG mode:

• Use your camera's automatic settings: Most cameras have automatic settings that can adjust the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture for you. This can be helpful when shooting in JPEG mode, as it allows you to focus on the composition of your shot.
• Use a higher ISO: When shooting in low light, using a higher ISO can help to reduce blur caused by slow shutter speeds. However, keep in mind that high ISO can also introduce noise to the image.
• Use the right white balance: White balance is the way your camera adjusts for the color temperature of different lighting situations. Make sure to adjust your white balance settings to match the lighting conditions you're shooting in.
• Use the right metering mode: Metering mode determines how your camera measures light. The most common metering modes are center-weighted and spot metering. Experiment with different metering modes to see which one works best for your situation.
• Adjust the image quality settings: Most cameras allow you to adjust the image quality settings for JPEGs. Experiment with different settings to see which one produces the best results for your specific situation.
• Use a polarizing filter: A polarizing filter can help reduce glare and improve color saturation in your images. This is particularly useful when shooting landscapes or other outdoor scenes.
• Take multiple shots: With JPEG mode, you can take multiple shots of the same scene and choose the best one later. This can be especially useful when shooting in challenging lighting conditions.
• Be mindful of the storage space: JPEG images are smaller in size than RAW images, but they still take up some space on your memory card. Keep in mind the storage space when shooting in JPEG mode.
• Learn your camera's settings: In order to get the best results from JPEG mode, it's important to understand your camera's settings and how to adjust them. Take the time to learn how to use your camera.
• Edit your images: Even though JPEG images are ready to be viewed without any post-processing required, editing them can still improve the final image. Some basic adjustments such as cropping, color correction, and sharpening can enhance the final image.

So, RAW or JPEG, which one should you use?

RAW and JPEG are two of the most common image formats used by photographers. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it's important to understand the differences between them before you start shooting.

RAW is the preferred format for professional photographers, as it contains the most information and provides the greatest flexibility for editing. JPEG files are much more widely used, since they are smaller in size and can be easily shared over the internet. The main advantage of RAW files is that they allow for greater post-processing flexibility, while JPEGs are more convenient for sharing. Ultimately, the choice of file format will depend your particular needs and preferences.