Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks so much. Please come back soon and share your work!

🥰

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Wasn't she talking to me??

MJPerini

This was a 'Fortuitous Accident', It is important to understand the difference between RAW & JPEG.
There is nothing wrong with your shooting JPEG, if you would rather not be tied to post processing every RAW file.
You can also shoot RAW + JPEG and use JPEG output most of the time and only go to RAW files when more processing seems necessary to you.
While it is true that most experienced Photographers shoot RAW files for the most flexibility and the most image data, Modern Cameras produce very good JPEG results. A casual photographer is probably better off shooting JPEGs
Your 'Accident' showed the difference clearly.
Now the 'full disclosure part' You will notice that JPEG files are much smaller than RAW files. Jopeg files use what is called "Lossy Compression" meaning that once the file is compressed in camera (according to the settings you make) the file is compressed and all data not used for that 'LOOK' is mostly discarded. As much as 80%.
That sounds worse than it is. If you are happy with the look, and not having to edit, then all is good.
If you want to revisit and re edit the file, you cannot re-create the data that was thrown away. So editing is more limited.
If this is a hobby, and you would rather not edit, JPEGs are great. JPEGs are even required in some professional circumstances like Spot News, Reportage and some Sports.
As long as you understand the tradeoff, do what is easiest for you.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

May be a little confusing to the OP? NX Studio will allow you to make some adjustments to JPGs (contrast, brightness, etc.), but raw will give you the ability to adjust considerably more.

dustie Loc: Nose to the grindstone

NAAAHH....
....srt101fan, probably (pg 1)......no??

bearontheair Loc: San Francisco, CA

For you old-timers…the vivid setting on a digital camera reminds me of Kodachrome 25; the natural setting reminds me of Ektachrome 64. Depending on what camera you have, your mileage may vary.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yup, depends on the manufacturer, the way they set those selections.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

After I posted I realised the possible ambiguity so I posted THIS to clarify. It makes it clearer that if you import the raw file into NX Studio it will apply the Picture Control adjustments by default unless you cancel them. It's also possible to see the exact adjustments used and to readjust if wanted. That stands in contrast to the jpeg file which has the Picture Control adjustments baked in and it is then compressed so it's not possible to return to the raw file from the jpeg.

ELNikkor

Most of my photos look just right when I shoot on jpeg "Standard", which is a little tweaked from jpeg "Neutral". I only shoot RAW when the situation looks like it might need more processing and possible marketing. Once I spent 1/2 hour processing a RAW image and it was saved as a jpeg that looked just like the SOOC jpeg. In-camera jpegs can save a lot of time.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I shoot both, Raw,and Jpeg. Memory cards are cheap and reusable so the majority of file size is in the RAW and the little the Jpeg adds is a nonfactor.
I like the raw option because as my skills grow I can always go back to them and process with my new skills I've learned.
It also makes sharing photos easier and no time is spent processing them

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I knew there’d be at least one. It has nothing to do with “fixing pictures”. It’s about understanding how to look at a scene and plan your shot to get the best results. It’s about controlling the processing for your vision, not the engineers that created the processing algorithm for your in camera JPEG. Yesterday I was shooting a Peregrine falcon sitting on a ledge. The sun was to my right and just enough was hitting the white breast of the falcon to completely blow out the highlights while the rest of the bird and scene was in shadow. There is no way to take a decent JPEG of that scene. I knew that shooting raw I could adjust the exposure down by two stops to avoid blown highlights and still have enough latitude to pull the detail out of the shadows.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Just look two posts above yours. It already started.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

When I shoot in RAW, I am a photographer.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Why would you make a TIFF? Just process from the raw.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Actually with a 8 bit JPEG you’re throwing away over 98% of the data from a 14 bit raw file even before compression.