RAW images to JPEG: I am a newbie, so I'm learning and perhaps my questions is kind of simple. When I edit a RAW image and save it in JPEG, do I lose some of the information contained...

augieg27 Loc: Central California

I am a newbie, so I'm learning and perhaps my questions is kind of simple.
When I edit a RAW image and save it in JPEG, do I lose some of the information contained in the original RAW image?
I am using Faststone editor and just purchased PSE 15 which I need to learn.
Thanks.

Bill_de Loc: US

Never mind. I misunderstood the question.

--

rplain1 Loc: Dayton, Oh.

augieg27 wrote:

I am a newbie, so I'm learning and perhaps my questions is kind of simple.
When I edit a RAW image and save it in JPEG, do I lose some of the information contained in the original RAW image?
I am using Faststone editor and just purchased PSE 15 which I need to learn.
Thanks.

Yes, anytime you convert to jpeg you will lose some information even if you save to the largest jpeg file. However, I always save the RAW file in addition.

rplain1 Loc: Dayton, Oh.

Bill de is correct - the RAW file is unchanged as long as you save it also.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

In PSE 15 when you save your RAW file as a JPG, the RAW stays intact you lose nothing. The JPG is written as a second file and yes the JPG doesnt have as much info as the RAW.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

augieg27 wrote:

I am a newbie, so I'm learning and perhaps my questions is kind of simple.
When I edit a RAW image and save it in JPEG, do I lose some of the information contained in the original RAW image?
I am using Faststone editor and just purchased PSE 15 which I need to learn.
Thanks.

Yes and no.
Yes: because the JPG is a mess (personal opinion), use PNG instead (preaching).
No: because the raw file is (almost) always intact.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

The idea of using Raw is to allow you 'greater ability' to manipulate the image. But you cannot print a Raw image so have to convert a copy of it into another printable file like a Jpg (and others) You should keep the raw file too (as your skills improve - so can your 'old images' if you go back and re-process them)

Different printable file systems exist...so it is worth considering looking at the options available.

Have fun

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

augieg27 wrote:

I am a newbie, so I'm learning and perhaps my questions is kind of simple.
When I edit a RAW image and save it in JPEG, do I lose some of the information contained in the original RAW image?
I am using Faststone editor and just purchased PSE 15 which I need to learn.
Thanks.

Part of the question is whether you or your audience can see the “loss”.

augieg27 Loc: Central California

It's hard for me being a novice to notice the difference.
Thank you all for your comments, I'd learned a lot from this discussion.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

augieg27 wrote:

I am a newbie, so I'm learning and perhaps my questions is kind of simple.
When I edit a RAW image and save it in JPEG, do I lose some of the information contained in the original RAW image?
I am using Faststone editor and just purchased PSE 15 which I need to learn.
Thanks.

You will at some point convert your RAW. Depending on your image, you will probably want to adjust WB (white balance) and colour temp and tone before converting. This will not affect your original RAW. When you convert, you can choose which format. Best to save (export) as TIFF to start with. You will not lose RAW info if you do, and you can print a TIFF. BUT TIFF is a big file. If you save as JPG you will discard info you DO NOT NEED. Which ever file format you choose, you can carry on editing - even WB! but you might wish to adjust contrast, brighten a bit more, etc. You will certainly wish to sharpen - several methods to do this, including unsharp mask. You need JPG for sharing.
Learn to use layers and filter layers. When you have done that, sharpen using a high pass filter. Do not delete your original RAW and nothing is lost while you practice.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The RAW file stays unchanged. In fact, when I do my initial transfer from card to computer, I protect my RAW files by changing the permissions to read only. So, if any process tried to write to the file, it would be stopped. I've never had that happen.

Now, on to jpg files. Open and just close the file, no change. Open and save the file, change.
--Bob

augieg27 wrote:

I am a newbie, so I'm learning and perhaps my questions is kind of simple.
When I edit a RAW image and save it in JPEG, do I lose some of the information contained in the original RAW image?
I am using Faststone editor and just purchased PSE 15 which I need to learn.
Thanks.

augieg27 Loc: Central California

Wow! Very interesting subject. I again, appreciate your comments and advice.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

augieg27 wrote:

Wow! Very interesting subject. I again, appreciate your comments and advice.

A further thought on TIFF. If you convert to TIFF you can carry on editing - then save to the TIFF file and you lose no data. You can re-open it and save again - you still lose no data.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Delderby wrote:

A further thought on TIFF. If you convert to TIFF you can carry on editing - then save to the TIFF file and you lose no data. You can re-open it and save again - you still lose no data.

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

Delderby wrote:

A further thought on TIFF. If you convert to TIFF you can carry on editing - then save to the TIFF file and you lose no data. You can re-open it and save again - you still lose no data.

Are you sure about that?