Raw vs JPG for event type photography.
Of course for the best results you should shoot RAW but you don't want to PP that many images as well as you don't feel you are paid for nor have time to. So I would suggest shoot RAW+JPEG (make sure that doesn't slow you down) and aim for the JPEG. Use the RAW to fix the few problem images.
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
Resqu2 wrote:
I know most of us shoot RAW when we want the very best photograph but I’m wondering what y’all do for events that will be 500-1000 photos taken. I have been getting into race day photography (Running) where your basically documenting the event and the crazy faces you can catch at the finish line. The last two I shot RAW but I’m really considering switching to JPG for these just to save time processing. What do y’all shoot similar things in?
I don't know how to shoot raw.
I also do all sorts of events - sometimes I come home with close to 2K images of Hunter-Jumper horse competitions. Shooting raw provides me with better product, and way faster proofs. I use Lightroom.
DirtFarmer
Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
Events are fast-paced things, and there are a lot of nonrepeatable shots. That calls for raw, not because you want the best photos (which, of course you do), but because you may wind up with a significantly less than good shot from a grab shot that turns out to be important. Having the added latitude of the raw file will make it easier to get something out of those shots.
If raw is not your thing, shoot raw+jpg. Best of both worlds and only about a 30% hit in card storage on average. If that's a problem, buy more cards.
I may shoot 1000 or more shots a day at a drag race. I shoot in RAW and PP later. But the pros that are sending stuff to websites or social media shoot a lot of JPEGs so they can get them out faster during the race. I think the quality is less but it may be seen as sufficient by most for online posting. If I had that need I might shoot RAW and JPEG. To me it really depends on what you want and need to satisfy yourself or your customers.
Resqu2 wrote:
I know most of us shoot RAW when we want the very best photograph but I’m wondering what y’all do for events that will be 500-1000 photos taken. I have been getting into race day photography (Running) where your basically documenting the event and the crazy faces you can catch at the finish line. The last two I shot RAW but I’m really considering switching to JPG for these just to save time processing. What do y’all shoot similar things in?
I do horse shows, as am amateur. Have 2xD500s. Main has 70-200mm f2.8. Have been doing indoors recently so @500th and ISO up to 5-8000 but noise can be good or bad at any level. Raw on QLD (64GB) and JPG on SD (32GB) as back-up. Cards fill and battery flat after 1200-1500 shots (then all change), all taken in bursts over the fences. Not unusual to have 1,500 plus in a day. Raw are culled quickly back in the office (dont chimp as I may miss a shot) and then edited in LR (rough crop and tone auto button) at the rate of 3 or 4 per min and posted on my fb page as "proofs" complete with camera file name for ordering. Orders are produced from the original raw files suitable for social media and small prints. (2048 on the long side) giving a file of about 2MB and are then emailed to clients. Sold for 5NZD each.This has paid for the cameras and lenses mentioned, a Sigma 17-70mm macro and a Kenko 1.4 handy to extend the 70-200mm in an emergency without too much loss. Has also paid for a laptop upgrade for editing. 16GM ram separate 8GB video card 256GB SSD. Plus an e-bike to get round the shows easier. Its only a hobby but fun.
For event photography you are looking for clear and sharp shots. Converted Raw pics are no more clear and sharp than JPGS. If you have a proprietary edit program JPGs will be all you need.
The rest is down to you as a photographer.
Jeffcs
Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
I shoot high school events, I shoot both RAW & JPGS, the camera JPG are good enough for year book photos and kids & families can purchase prints through smugmug. I can’t see process 500 RAW files, I only shoot them as insurance.
Resqu2 wrote:
I know most of us shoot RAW when we want the very best photograph but I’m wondering what y’all do for events that will be 500-1000 photos taken. I have been getting into race day photography (Running) where your basically documenting the event and the crazy faces you can catch at the finish line. The last two I shot RAW but I’m really considering switching to JPG for these just to save time processing. What do y’all shoot similar things in?
You are the one taking and the one who will spend their time. You know the time involved RAW ve jpeg. It's up to you. You don't need anyone eleses view.
Resqu2 wrote:
I know most of us shoot RAW when we want the very best photograph but I’m wondering what y’all do for events that will be 500-1000 photos taken. I have been getting into race day photography (Running) where your basically documenting the event and the crazy faces you can catch at the finish line. The last two I shot RAW but I’m really considering switching to JPG for these just to save time processing. What do y’all shoot similar things in?
Lately I just shoot H.Res Jpegs......I am not doing any PP and until I get resettled in the new residence I am just shooting for friends on facebook and stuff like that. Moving is a real pain and there's a lot of loose ends to tie-up again.
Blair Shaw Jr wrote:
Lately I just shoot H.Res Jpegs......I am not doing any PP and until I get resettled in the new residence I am just shooting for friends on facebook and stuff like that. Moving is a real pain and there's a lot of loose ends to tie-up again.
Good luck with your move, it’s no fun at all and even after the big heavy stuff is done it takes forever to get settled in.
Resqu2 wrote:
I know most of us shoot RAW when we want the very best photograph but I’m wondering what y’all do for events that will be 500-1000 photos taken. I have been getting into race day photography (Running) where your basically documenting the event and the crazy faces you can catch at the finish line. The last two I shot RAW but I’m really considering switching to JPG for these just to save time processing. What do y’all shoot similar things in?
I am thinking, which may not be with others here, but if Shooting any Photos that you want to share or give to friends and family, will they really appreciate the difference between a JPEG image or a P.P. RAW image or even the time and extra effort you made in the RAW image P.P.??
A Canon camera has a setting to capture both RAW and JPEG file formats at the same time. This setting could prove useful depending on the situation.
Resqu2 wrote:
I know most of us shoot RAW when we want the very best photograph but I’m wondering what y’all do for events that will be 500-1000 photos taken. I have been getting into race day photography (Running) where your basically documenting the event and the crazy faces you can catch at the finish line. The last two I shot RAW but I’m really considering switching to JPG for these just to save time processing. What do y’all shoot similar things in?
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
Delderby wrote:
For event photography you are looking for clear and sharp shots. Converted Raw pics are no more clear and sharp than JPGS. If you have a proprietary edit program JPGs will be all you need.
The rest is down to you as a photographer.
Actually, converted and correctly processed can visibly surpass the quality of untouched jpegs. I will concede that a jpeg shot in a studio setting with 100% control over lighting and contrast, the differences are hard to find, but if you aren't seeing the difference properly exposed and processed raw files, then there must be something else going on.
DirtFarmer
Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
Delderby wrote:
...The rest is down to you as a photographer.
All the more reason to shoot raw.
DirtFarmer
Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
Jeffcs wrote:
... I can’t see process 500 RAW files, I only shoot them as insurance.
In my experience it takes the same amount of time to process N raw files as it does to process N jpgs. I use Lightroom. I suspect other software would be similar but I don't have any recent experience that way.
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