RAW vs Jpeg (All in one thread)

13 years 2 months ago - 12 years 7 months ago #12910 by dalbert
I hear lots of people talking about RAW files and that RAW's the only way to go. Why?


(I don't usually edit people's posts, but since this guy is long gone I thought it would be OK. I noticed there was actually a few threads called "Why RAW?" or RAW vs Jpeg so instead of spreading the discussion over many excellent threads, I thought I'd combine them into one super thread... thanks for your understanding ~ Stealthy Ninja).


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13 years 2 months ago #12911 by Scotty

dalbert wrote: I hear lots of people talking about RAW files and that RAW's the only way to go. Why?


Raws contain the most information out of any file type. They handle the best in editing.

When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.

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13 years 2 months ago #12942 by bhowdy
if you don’t shoot RAW you’re missing out on lots of photo processing power. Even if you don’t make the switch permanently, try shooting RAW captures and processing them in Photoshop, Aperture or Lightroom. You’ll start to see what all the buzz is about once you turn underexposures into perfect exposures, and once color, contrast and sharpness are ideal every time. (from DP magazine)

Bob Howdeshell

"If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera" ~ Lewis Hine

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13 years 2 months ago #12947 by Scotty

bhowdy wrote: if you don’t shoot RAW you’re missing out on lots of photo processing power. Even if you don’t make the switch permanently, try shooting RAW captures and processing them in Photoshop, Aperture or Lightroom. You’ll start to see what all the buzz is about once you turn underexposures into perfect exposures, and once color, contrast and sharpness are ideal every time. (from DP magazine)


Couldn't agree more.

When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.

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13 years 2 months ago #12954 by Moe
Much larger files, but so much more options for the images later.


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13 years 2 months ago #12983 by effron
I always shoot raw, however there are some who don't or can't spend the time for whatever reason, to process raw files. They ALL need some post processing.
You don't mention what you have for hardware, software, etc., so if I were to offer blind advice, I'd say shoot both, raw and jpeg, and see what works for you.
See this.......
www.kenrockwell.com/tech/raw.htm

Why so serious?
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13 years 2 months ago #12985 by photobod
I think it depends on what you want to use your images for, if its just snaps and personal stuff for the web the jpeg is fine, you can still work on them in photoshop if you want, but if you are doing work for a client or something you are going to display maybe enter a competition then Raw is the only way to go, as others have said a raw file holds more information so you can do so much more with it, give it a go and you will discover a whole new world, by the way there are other software packages out there other than photoshop, but you will be hard pushed to find one better, it all depends on your budget of course. have fun thats what photography is about

www.dcimages.org.uk
"A good photograph is one that communicate a fact, touches the heart, leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective." - Irving Penn

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13 years 2 months ago #13142 by luckywish1
what does raw mean on pictures


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13 years 2 months ago #13159 by Scotty

effron wrote: I always shoot raw, however there are some who don't or can't spend the time for whatever reason, to process raw files. They ALL need some post processing.
You don't mention what you have for hardware, software, etc., so if I were to offer blind advice, I'd say shoot both, raw and jpeg, and see what works for you.
See this.......
www.kenrockwell.com/tech/raw.htm


I agree there is times when you want to shoot Jpeg, if you're in a hurry. Kenrockwell is kind of the joke of the photography world....so I take his articles with pretty much a grain of salt.

RAW holds so much more information that some type of editing would be close to impossible to do without it.

When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.

Photo Comments
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13 years 2 months ago - 13 years 2 months ago #13319 by Stealthy Ninja
RAW = all the information is kept regardless of the settings you choose in camera.

jpeg = the camera (not the computer) does the processing.

Myself, I'd rather have control over the final product.


Oh and don't quote Ken Rockwell if you want to be taken seriously. LOL

Now, here's a bunch of videos to tell you why:









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13 years 2 months ago #13323 by luckywish1
what does the raw do?


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13 years 2 months ago #13326 by Scotty

luckywish1 wrote: what does the raw do?


Read, it's been explained on page one.

When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.

Photo Comments
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13 years 2 months ago #13328 by Stealthy Ninja

luckywish1 wrote: what does the raw do?


Look at it this way.

Jpeg is like a printed photo. NOt much you can do to it
RAW is like a negative. Much more possibilities.
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13 years 2 months ago #13378 by scarman1313
If you shoot in raw do you need to take your cloths off. :)


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13 years 2 months ago #13386 by Scotty

scarman1313 wrote: If you shoot in raw do you need to take your cloths off. :)


Very true.

When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.

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