RAW vs JEPG: I still a newbie, but I'd like to know what advantage there is in shooting RAW as oppose to JEPG. RAW is to get better photos with more detail in the photo, as I...

JoeM Loc: Sacramento, California

I still a newbie, but I'd like to know what advantage there is in shooting RAW as oppose to JEPG. RAW is to get better photos with more detail in the photo, as I understand it. Since I do not print large photos at home I send them out to places like Vista Print, Costco and such. But these companies only deal in JEPG's. I'm sure this must have been discussed before and I've must have missed it, but why shoot RAW if not for commercial use?
What am I missing?

TucsonCoyote Loc: Tucson AZ

JoeM wrote:

I still a newbie, but I'd like to know what advantage there is in shooting RAW as oppose to JEPG. RAW is to get better photos with more detail in the photo, as I understand it. Since I do not print large photos at home I send them out to places like Vista Print, Costco and such. But these companies only deal in JEPG's. I'm sure this must have been discussed before and I've must have missed it, but why shoot RAW if not for commercial use?
What am I missing?

Do a search and read for the next 3 months I would say. :)

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=RAW+vs+JEPG&u=&s=0

heyrob Loc: Western Washington

You're right it's been discussed at length, this might help...
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=RAW+vs+JEPG&u=&s=0

TucsonCoyote Loc: Tucson AZ

heyrob wrote:

You're right it's been discussed at length, this might help...
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=RAW+vs+JEPG&u=&s=0

Smart ass Rob ! :thumbup:

wilikioti Loc: Deep South, USA

Very, very basic. Shoot in RAW and make your adjustments in the RAW format. When you are satisfied with your picture, save a copy in the JPEG format for prints.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Might want to read about it the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-26507-1.html

People recommend shooting in raw for best results but a lot forget to mention that you will need to learn how to adjust those files before they look better than a JPEG.
For some things, JPEG files are just fine.
For serious work, raw files are usually the way to go.
Again, learning how to do those adjustments is critical.

BTW: You CAN adjust several aspects of a JPEG file but you won't have as much data to work with as a RAW file.

JPEG= Joint Photographic Experts Group
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/formatsjpeg/a/jpegmythsfacts.htm

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I like to work in RAW because it gives me control of the exposure, color, brightness, clarity, etc. Then I save the image as a jpeg and let my friends on the forum see what I have done, or I print them. Works for me.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Might want to read about it the frequently asked q... (show quote)

Has it been a week already? :-)

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

mdorn wrote:

Has it been a week already? :-)

Not quite...

heyrob Loc: Western Washington

TucsonCoyote wrote:

Smart ass Rob ! :thumbup:

Well thanks for the compliment, but I can't lay claim to that title. You see, I can't really tell what flavor the ice cream is by sitting on it. :lol:

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

heyrob wrote:

Well thanks for the compliment, but I can't lay claim to that title. You see, I can't really tell what flavor the ice cream is by sitting on it. :lol:

LOL!!!!
That's almost too much info!

heyrob Loc: Western Washington

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Might want to read about it the frequently asked q... (show quote)

I on the other hand, treat my RAW files as my digital negatives. I convert them to a basic .JPG, and then save my RAW files untouched. All adjustments are then done to the .jpg's and I always have my untouched RAW 'negative" if I ever need it.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

heyrob wrote:

I on the other hand, treat my RAW files as my digital negatives. I convert them to a basic .JPG, and then save my RAW files untouched. All adjustments are then done to the .jpg's and I always have my untouched RAW 'negative" if I ever need it.

By doing it this way, there is NO advantage to taking them in RAW!!
Just save in JPG-FINE and you will be at the same point.

If you know how to take the picture with 'proper' settings in the first place, JPG is all you need!

heyrob Loc: Western Washington

Wahawk wrote:

By doing it this way, there is NO advantage to taking them in RAW!!
Just save in JPG-FINE and you will be at the same point.

If you know how to take the picture with 'proper' settings in the first place, JPG is all you need!

Not true, if you shoot jpg only, the camera makes all the decisions. With RAW, that file has every pixel just the way the camera saw it, nothing is lost from that original RAW image if you choose to go back and redo it. I make the decisions how the initial jpg is processed, not the camera manufacturer.

And yes I know the technical aspects too, so you assume a great deal with that last comment. Besides that, have you ever taken a quick off hand shot, then gone home to find that a camera setting had been bumped? With a RAW image I have a lot better chance of recovering from a bad setting with a RAW image, than whatever is left in that in camera jpg.

peteaaa Loc: weiser, Idaho

Hi I don't know what camera you have I have to nikon D90's and I set mine to store the highest res and to store both nef raw and highest res jpg. Don't quote me but on my cameras the raw nef files will show all the focusing points the metering system uses when the pic was taken. I will say by storing both it takes a lot of space although the price of the sd cards are not that expensive so I like to keep extras.
have great day.