Jonathan

I have a high megapixel Canon which I love. I shoot in RAW; mostly scenics. However, after I process a shot, regardless of the program--Lightroom, Photoshop, PhotoScape--it's saved in jpeg.

So, what is the point of having all those megapixels? In my old chemical darkroom, I knew what I would do before I ever took the shot.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Why drink good wine when cheap rotgut produces the same output?

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I just exported a DNG file from LR to computer hard drive in a TIFF. I could have exported in it several different formats including a JPEG. On the export page from LR you can change the export format. That option is about midway down the page.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

First off, in LR and Photoshop, your image is NOT saved as a jpeg. After you process your raw image, you still have a raw image that you can unprocess, process more, make virtual copies of or do anything you like and you still have the original. This is just like the film negative. You will always have your raw file, just like you'ld always have your negative. As to what you have when finished, you have choices as to what file format you want to use when you output the final image. It doesn't have to be jpeg.

As far as knowing what you are going to do with an image before you take your shot, what's the difference between digital or film? You can still do much to an image afterwards. You can think of it the same as film. You can dodge, burn, push the exposure, and MUCH more with digital.

I don't see why you are making these statements.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

The choice of file that you save your image to is an option. you could just as well save it as a .tif
RAW is not about the final file type but how you arrive at the final image

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Deleted - misread OP's post.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Then you have some settings wrong. When you exit the Photoshop raw converter (Adobe Camera Raw, or ACR) you open the image in Photoshop. THEN when you save it YOU pick the format and while you cannot save a raw file, you can save it as either a TIFF or PSD which essentially preserves that high-quality image.

In LIghtroom, you do this when you Export. Again it is YOU who choose the format, so if you are always saving as jpg, it is what you are telling it to do.

You mentioned the number of pixels—a jpeg has the same number of pixels as the raw file unless YOU change that, so the resolution of a jpg is the same as the raw file.

Saving as a PSD or TIFF when doing additional processing is a good idea as there is a LOT more data there. But saving as a jpg for final output is fine.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Why export to JPEG? I always export to TIFF, and only create a JPEG copy if I'm uploading the image to the internet or sending it by email.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

It is about who is in control.

If you goal is a JPEG file, you can let the camera process the raw light data without your help or do it with your influence using software.

In our old darkrooms we had only one product choice -- the print on paper. Now we can make have everything from prints to internet sharing to slide shows on our amazing TV screens. Each can be optimized for its intended purpose. Starting with raw data you have more control for what each intended viewer sees.

That said, don't bother with Canon RAW if you like the Canon produced JPEGs. It may be a waste of your time.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

During import into LR, I convert all my .NEF files to the DNG (Adobe's raw) format. Then I do all my processing. When finished with the processing, I do nothing more. I have all raw images stored and that's what will be there from now on.

Someone may want copies of photos I took at an event. I will export those, typically to JPG files, and share them. But, I still have my raw files in LR. In my opinion, I have no reason to keep a JPG file in the normal course of things.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Hi Jonathon. I would encourage you to use Canon's DPP program that comes with the camera (or can be downloaded from the Canon site) as your first step in working with .cr raw files.

Why "shoot raw?" There are a number of reasons that may or may not be of value to you. Only you can decide what will work best for you.

1. Greater exposure latitude

This does not merely mean "saving bad shots," as you will see if you open Canon raw files in DPP. You will have much better control over contrast, shadows and highlights, white balance, etc.

2. Better rendition of color gradations

3. Much more flexibility in post processing

Your question is a good one. Why work with raw files if you are going to wind up with a JPEG anyway? First, if you are going to print images there is no need to go to JPEG at all and you will get better prints from a TIFF file. Secondly, I prefer to make my own JPEGS because I can do a better job of that step than the camera can easier and more quickly.

That reflects my experience, and what works for me. It is not necessarily the "right "way or the "best" way. For some of us, breaking the hold that JPEG has on our images is like being let out of jail, and working with raw files makes all of the difference in the world. For others, that is not important. Experiment and find what works best for you to get the results you are after.

One more comment - I recommend ignoring the chronic and bitter "raw versus JPEG" argument that always erupts when we try to discuss this topic.

Hope that helps.

Mike

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Hard to tell. What does "it's saved in jpeg" mean in that context? I may have misunderstood the OP as well.

Mike

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

The point of having all those megapixels is...um...you have all those megapixels? And processing yields whatever I want it to.

Is there a point of having less megapixels and nothing but an oversharpened overcolored JPG?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Sounds like a Hunter S. Thompson quote to me...

Too bad he never wrote, "Fear and Loathing in the Darkroom." Or "Fear and Loathing in the Lightroom," for that matter.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Exactly the same for me works well !


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