lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

I would suggest shooting in raw or at a minimum the best jpg your camera can produce. Memory is cheap, both in camera and on computer disk. As far as importing and processing in LR is concerned, you could shoot raw, import with Auto Tone enabled and then review. Any that you want to print or share could be identified by a Pick for further processing. Then during Export (only if sharing or posting to the web) you can select the file type and, if jpg, the dimensions, quality level or total file size. This permits you to utilize the full quality capabilities of your camera but only spend time post processing your best images.

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

Shoot large fine. Storage is inexpensive. You have spent $2,000 to $3,000+ on equipment. Why would you want to reduce the quality of your images to save $30?

If you want the best quality, shoot large RAW, lossless compressed.

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

I only process my best RAW shots. If you want to process RAW files efficiently, consider presets for tasks you routinely perform on every image.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Shoot raw (always and save them always) and when you have an image that you want to print, keep the size as large as possible for quality. If you have an image you want to share, save as sRGB jpg and reduce the size of image to somewhere between 2000ppi on the long side to 1000ppi on the long side. Reduce the quality (increases compression) to 60%-80% so they are small enough to email and or post.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

The problem with reducing the size of the photo is it is then going to be forever small and one day you may want the full size for your computer screen. I don't reduce my photo's size ever just for that reason. If you need more storage space why not burn your photo folders to a DVD and later, view from there.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Memory cards and hard drive storage are cheap. I always shoot max resolution RAW files and only make smaller, reduced size copies for specific purposes, converting to whatever file type is needed (usually JPEG), keeping and archiving the original full size file.

Burning things to a DVD is risky.... DVDs are rated for about ten years' life, after which they can fail, losing whatever is stored on them. (Some "gold" DVDs are rated for 25 years.)

But, hard drives aren't totally reliable, either. A backup plan is essential!

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

wsa111 - It is obvious from the responses that most prefer saving RAW. I don't. It all boils down to need. I almost never print, and when I do, never more than 8 X 10 so the IQ advantage of RAW is not of concern to me. With today's cameras, even "high" .jpg files are huge and contain enough data for MY purposes.

It boils down to need. You haven't indicated what you do with your photos, so not knowing your needs, it is impossible to advise. Suffice it to say, ANY file compression is considered "lossy". If such loss is tolerable, than compress. Compress to the largest size you may need in the future. Only edit copies of what is saved, as each save of a compressed file losses again.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I've not photo DVD's that go back to around 1998 and they run just fine on my computer. Call me lucky?

chevman Loc: Matthews, North Carolina

I understand about your concern for space, but if it can be helped at all take your pictures in raw format best quality possible. I have found it is easy to just remove SD card from and insert it in the card reader on the computer while Lightroom is open. As soon as the SD card is detected LR should switch into the import mode. While in import mode you can choose the destination where you want the photos saved. Keep in mind that if you choose a storage facility that is removable you will have to have it connected when you open Lightroom and want to view or work on those images. Lightroom imports the raw images and then converts them to .dng (digital negative) which is a non compressed lossless file format and is very large. Once the photos are all loaded in and converted I usually select all and make a virtual copy. Adobe says that this does not take any additional disc space. I then bring each one up to full view and check them to be sure it is worth keeping. If not I black flag (with the "x") them and when finished checking all I hit delete all the flagged images. There is a dialogue box that pops up and asks if you want to delete from disc or not. If you reduce your .dng images to any compressed lossy format such as .jpeg just remember what you have lost in the process is not recoverable and is an inferrior image. Also editing a lossy compressed image is limited greatly.
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Jerry in NC

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

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IS what I do all the time.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Shoot RAW, you can't go back and add data if you decide later that you made a great shot. Delete the looters from the RAW file if you are sure. Size and convert as appropriate to each image,

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

I usually shoot RAW plus jpeg. Rarely touch the jpegs, but if someone wants an immediate image, they'll get that one. Otherwise RAW get my attention. With my Nikons I set both cards to record the same. Having had a bad card on two occasions, I just won't take the chance. Unfortunately my Sony only has one card slot. That is a single point of failure problem.

canon Lee

HI I always keep large files ( RAW. high resolution). The reason I do this is because I never know if I might need at a later date a large print. I suggest that you save as a TIFF file on a disc or external drive.

canon Lee

[quote=canon Lee]HI I always keep large files ( RAW. high resolution). The reason I do this is because I never know if I might need at a later date a large print. I suggest that you save as a TIFF file on a disc or external drive. you can always make smaller prints but not larger ones easily..

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Shooting in RAW will give you the absolute best files with the easiest and best ability for further processing as needed. Using a D810 and storing files any other way is a total waste of money. Sure, it takes some time for processing, but quality takes time and it is worth it. I regularly return with 2000 raw files. The good news is that I can transfer them into LightRoom and get them ready for further processing while I'm doing something else. Best of luck.