JD750 Loc: SoCal

This post is for those who are new to photography and might ask "why shoot raw vs jpeg"? I know it's been done before but every now and then it's nice to repeat a theme for the newer people to the site to see. If you are reading this and know which format you like and why you like it you can stop reading now.

For those still reading, I inadvertently left the camera on raw+JPEG rather than just raw, so I ended up with both sets and I thought, why not use them to illustrate to others who are curious the differences between the formats.

First a disclaimer: I shoot jpeg often. I like the format. It is a fine format. I will also shoot raw when the situation warrants. Everybody has their preference, based on the camera, skill level, what they like to shoot. For those starting, out they will want make their own decisions. First when switching to raw from JPEG, chords are not going to play from the heavens. There is a slight difference, but that difference can be worth the effort in some cases.

The attached are snapshots of a lenticular cloud. I want to bring out detail of the cloud and Mt Rose in the background. Here in this image, based on the scene, the camera's auto exposure function slightly overexposed the clouds. Note the blown highlights in the JPEG image, and by the way, that cannot be 'fixed' in post (not that you would have to if the clouds were exposed correctly). But see how the raw image has captured additional texture and detail in the clouds. Bear in mind, there is a very fine line between overexposure and good exposure, and and shooting raw is no substitute for good exposure. But it can help, as you can see below.

SOOC JPEG format from camera

(Download)

SOOC raw format from camera

(Download)

Tonally adjusted JPEG format from camera - hideous

(Download)

Tonally adjusted raw format from camera

(Download)

Godessof2 Loc: Port Jeff Sta NY

Thanks I don't think I have seen such clear specific examples of the differences before! Thanks for making it so clear to understand!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Your welcome.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

So, your exposure was optimized for raw not jpeg and what camera were you using ??

JD750 Loc: SoCal

It was a little overexposed due the dark area in the scene. Those images were taken with a Panasonic DMC-GH1, M43 camera.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

That is sorta what I thought ......

Jim Bob

Well thanks for proving absolutely nothing, especially without providing camera settings.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Your comprehension is paper this these days it seems. Please read the thread title and the very first sentence. Also, the thread is for those new to photography, not for old goats like you, who has been pressing the shutter 7 decades. You should know by now how to take such photo. The demonstration is for raw vs JPEG, not what settings you need to take such a picture.

Sorry OP!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

You are very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it and felt a burning need to reply with your scartistic comment.

EXIF info is included in the images.

I knew it was a mistake to post here, just because of comments like this. I'm outta here.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

I have to say that, my subjective opinion of the above is that the better pics (both JPG and RAW) were the originals before adjustment. Also, as you say, the exposure was not good, and we read often here that if the pic is not good you cannot make it good.
At least your post demonstrates that you cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

jimbo70 Loc: Orange Park, FL.

I had a Panny GH2 and it produced the worse Jpeg images of any camera I have ever owned. So working with raw will certainly be an advantage. I now have a Fuji X100S and those that do take the time to work with raw find it difficult to get better images than there Fuji's will produce OOC Jpegs.

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

They were better before you messed with them. Destroyed them.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

Very nice examples, bringing out the detail in the cloud in the RAW really paid off. Judging from the SOOC JPG and even the PP JPG the RAW is much better. Thanks for posting.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

I believe your motive was right and good but the examples not so great. The jpeg image taken into a good editing program, I took it into Camera Raw, reveal as much detail in the Jpeg as you have in the Raw file.