Yes raw gives you the most image data and quality to work with. Ansel would have surely shot raw before any post processing. Folks need to understand that they will NEVER know all the best quality they can get out of their camera sensors and lenses unless they shoot raw.

As an award-winning pro of over 44 years in the business who shot film in 35mm, medium format and view camera size formats as large as 11X14 inch sheet film, raw gives you that kind of quality that Ansel got with his view camera in places like Yosemite.

We have gotten used to jpegs and their quality has improved but the camera's internal processor compresses jpeg images, and you lose dynamic range. Ansel was all about dynamic range and he used his zone system of exposure and film development to give his negatives maximum dynamic range, even before he worked in the darkroom for his final prints.

Ansel would NOT have wanted his modern camera's internal processor and algorithms to decide for him things like sharpness, color, dynamic range, noise reduction, camera bit depth, while throwing away some data.

Raw images record ALL the image data and quality your camera's sensor and lens can record, leaving it up to you to decide what choices you want to make in post processing.

As a pro I shoot raw+jpeg all the time. I use the jpegs for quick sharing and review,, and as backup images, but process the raw captures for my final image output. I want to reap the rewards for my money I have spent on top quality cameras and lenses.

FYI, I own two Ansel Adams image from Yosemite, prints that were made from the original negatives, printed by Ansel's son. They were gifts from my first marriage. I treasure those prints and they are truly amazing in their depth, clarity, and dynamic range. You wouldn't get this today from any jpeg image. Here is one humble shot of my own from Yosemite, from the raw image of my 61megapixel Sony A7RIV camera, using my Sigma Art 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN lens with a polarizing filter. Shot March 2, 2020. This is the classic "Tunnel View" with left, El Capitan; center-rear, Half Dome with a small rising moon; right, Bridal Veil Falls. Click on the image to see the better quality. Cheers. https://www.facebook.com/GSWilliamsPhotography