Why shoot in RAW rather than JPEG - short video: The following link takes you to a short video covering the basic benefits of shooting in RAW. It compares RAW vs. JPEG versions of the...

jak86094

The following link takes you to a short video covering the basic benefits of shooting in RAW. It compares RAW vs. JPEG versions of the same photo and shows the benefits and limits of the formats. It even ends with a recommendation to shoot in RAW, modify, then export as JPEG for distribution, though I export into .TIF since the image is not degraded of you have to open and save the image multiple times in .TIF format as it will in JPEG.

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/how-to/raw-photography.html

Charlie'smom

Well. I’m now a “raw” woman. Thank you!!!!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

It is obvious that a RAW file has more flexibility than a JPEG file. I for sure prefer to nail exposure on the highlights rather than to work with them in post. Once those highlights clip there is no way to fix them.
RAW files require especial software to develop them and require expertise editing them. I never had issues changing the WB of my JPEG images and I do not use JPEG files for everything.
I do not use Lightroom either.

cdayton

Kinda beating the dead horse. If you can’t get exposure and WB correct, then definitely shoot RAW. After a trip and a 1000 or so shoots, I have better uses for my time than spending dozens of hours in front of a computer just to see what I really captured. Yes, there is JPEG+RAW but I find I so rarely have to go to the RAW that’s it’s a waste of card space (yes, I shoot lots of bad pictures but that’s what the Del key is for). By the way, when I see these videos, I always wonder what is being displayed as the RAW image since it’s just a big set of 0s and 1s. Of course, all just imo.

bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

I use to shoot Raw + Jpeg. I found that after spending a lot of time PP the Raw file and comparing it to my Jpeg that I wasted a lot of time so now all I shoot is Jpeg and that only requires a very little time of PP.....Rich

leftj Loc: Texas

jak86094 wrote:

The following link takes you to a short video cove... (show quote)

In some respects a good video but to a newbe in photography it makes it seem like you can only do this in lightroom.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Preaching to the choir here.
--Bob

jak86094 wrote:

The following link takes you to a short video cove... (show quote)

marine73 Loc: Modesto California

I shoot JPEG + RAW. I am here do very little PP. JPEG is so I can let my DIL have the images via the computer after I am get home. I am here have the RAW file available if I am here want to do any PP. It actually comes down to each individuals requirements/needs and whether they want to do any PP. Think back to the days of film and if you ever did any hand coloring or sepia printing. This was a method of PP only with film.

leftj Loc: Texas

marine73 wrote:

I shoot JPEG + RAW. I am here do very little PP. JPEG is so I can let my DIL have the images via the computer after I am get home. I am here have the RAW file available if I am here want to do any PP. It actually comes down to each individuals requirements/needs and whether they want to do any PP. Think back to the days of film and if you ever did any hand coloring or sepia printing. This was a method of PP only with film.

Remedial composition class for you.

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

A good photograph should have detail in the highlights as well in the shadows. burned out highlights or/and blacked shadows maks for a poor quality photo. Therefore, raw gives you a more complete range of exposure density. Yes, sometimes they need processing in PS or LR. But what do you want? Snapshots or good looking photographs? Yes, it's possible to work with JPEG, but it's density range is very limited. Don't worry, I have to work with both because my favorite camera only shoots JPEG.

jak86094

The purpose of the original post was to share what I found to be a clear, short video explanation and demonstration of how RAW might be useful in capturing detail in the extreme ends of the density range. UHH has posted numerous discussions full of photo lingo and technical talk, yet there continue to be numerous requests for why RAW or JPEG might be better. I just found this to be the clearest visual demonstration of some benefits to be gleaned from RAW format pictures. Congratulations to anyone who gets the results they want taking JPEG photos. I've done it both ways and know that JPEGs can produce beautiful results. Enjoy your photography and don't worry if others RAW to be a useful alternative. Happy shooting!