Silverman Loc: Michigan

I am a Hobbist in DSLR Photography, at the young age of 68, + 5 months. I have a Nikon D3300 and want to learn RAW Photography, although I presently am not knowledgeable in the Post processing of RAW images. So, my question to you all is; Would you advise me to shoot RAW +JPEG now or wait until I have learned the Post processing of RAW images. I am also color defient in Red, Green, & Brown, so I am not to confident in my future Post Processing ability. I am looking forward to some up building encouragement and advice.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

The only 'downsides' to shooting RAW + jpeg is the extra storage space for files and that shooting RAW may reduce the number of shots you can accomplish when in burst mode. For the vast majority of us I would think these two reasons are totally insignificant.

Look at it this way, if you don't capture a RAW file you may find that one day you capture that absolutely fantastic image that a RAW file would have allowed you to improve in post even more than the jpeg you have.

User ID

Storage media is cheap. Raw+jpeg
is highly recommended for multiple
reasons not worth detailing here ...
cuz countless further posts will do
that anywho :-)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I shoot RAW+JPEG.
I peruse the JPEGS in Windows Explorer to see what i want to work on and edit the RAW.
I don't use a catalogger.

Silverman Loc: Michigan

At the present time, I am doubtful I will find a need to shoot "Burst" images.
So, if I shoot with a 32gb or possibly a 64gb memory card, in my Nikon D3300 DSLR Camera, what would be a reasonable amount of RAW +JPEG images might I expect to be able to capture?

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

You can address your colorblindness by shooting a WB target. You can wait until your finished taking the photo(s) so as not to interfere. You can purchase a commercial WB target that may be as good as a piece of white Styrofoam but white Styrofoam is free. I just cut rectangles out of food trays and make sure they're always available with my cameras. In the photo here you see me grabbing a snap of a WB target. The process is simple: To process the raw file first open the photo of the target. Read the WB from the target (temperature and tint values) and simply transfer those values to the photo you want to process.

The storage issue saving raw + JPEG is of little consequence. There is another concern that many choose to ignore. Most of our cameras' JPEG processing software is designed with a safety "fudge" factor that under-utilizes the sensor. The result is that you get a good SOOC JPEG and the raw file could probably have benefited from more exposure. Right now don't worry about that one -- just store it away for reference and if you enjoy and get good at raw file PP then later you can consider that your raw files might be better with more exposure.

Joe

User ID

Just shoot a few R+J and do the rithmatik

Or, if mathemaphobic, RTFM.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

From the D3300 manual for a 16 GB SanDisk Extreme Pro Card :

Image quality : NEF (RAW) + JPEG Fine
Image Size : Large (that's the jpeg)
File Size : 31.5 MB (approx)
No of images : 345
Buffer capacity : 6

repleo Loc: Boston

One of my biggest regrets in life is that I didn’t start to shoot RAW + jpeg when I first had the chance. I tried it once and was totally disappointed with the unprocessed RAW images that I felt it was a waste of storage space. Much later, I started to get into PP and discovered the potential of RAW. I have so many jpeg shots that could have been so much improved if I had captured the RAW files at the time.
I am in Spain at the moment revisiting some of the places I had previously shot but saving the RAW files this time.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, shoot both until you are comfortable processing raw. Raw files require processing; JPEGs don't require processing, so they are ready to go as soon as they are shot.

sergio

I shoot RAW only. One exception: if I need to extend the zoom beyond 1360mm, since with JPEG I can go over 2000mm (equivalent) with still good image quality (cropping and enlarging to make Super B prints). But this only when using the Canon SX70HS.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I would think that black and white photography would be an ideal medium for you to work. RAW just takes a bit of time to to become a comfortable path to take. I would suggest that you take a RAW photograph and process it using various settings. Eventually, you'll find the ideal steps to take to accomplish a good photograph. Trying to learn on too many photos at one time could be counterproductive.
--Bob

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Shooting just jpeg I captured a quick snap of a pair of swallow tail kites sharing a lizard. Having been shooting darker swamp critters in manual mode this shot was just a bit overexposed and blew out the top of their white heads. RAW would have held enough info to recover the "bald spot." Didn't have that available in just jpeg. Started using both, saved a few great photos. Later using both I shot a gator on a log with light colored tree fungus, in the jpegs the fungus were burned out beyond recovery but the RAW files produced texture in the fungus as well as the dark gator hide. SOLD on RAW + JPG, most times JPEG covers it but when it doesn't OH WELL!

Silverman Loc: Michigan

I have been shooting JPEG for a few years now, mainly because I do not understand the Post Processing of RAW images. I am going to start shooting RAW + JPEG and have my Grandson help me to learn the Post Processing of my RAW images. Will I still be able to view and download my JEPG images for friends and family to view.??