rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Those are both very good images. I find RAW the better format for initial exposure and use it exclusively. The difference between RAW and jpg can be likened to wanting a cake. One way is the purchase the ingredients and mix them to your preference and taste. jpg is purchasing a cake from the bakery. Not much you can do but enjoy it from there.
--Bob

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

For me, yes.
I like to peruse the JPEGs in Windows Explorer and if I want, edit the RAW.
(I don't use a cataloger and it's simpler for me to peruse them in Explorer.)

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I shoot both.
Keep only Raw.
JPEG is if wife wants something immediately.
Then JPEGs are deleted along with the Raw I do not like.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

When I first started with digital I shot jpg because it was what I knew. When I switched to raw I shot raw+jpg. When I finally got the hang of using Lightroom for organizing my photos I dropped the jpg. That meant I had to convert the raw to jpg in order to use it. That meant I had to put everything into Lightroom. That meant that I could find things later (since I keyword all my photos). Without that ability, my memory is bad enough that it took me hours to find a photo that I knew I took. With Lightroom and keywords, I can even find relevant photos I forgot that I took.

There are cases in which I use jpg, but they are rare. My iPhone shoots jpeg or heic. There are apps that will shoot raw but I'm just starting to learn them.

The only time I intentionally shoot raw is when I'm taking a blank field photo to look for dust on my sensor. No need to postprocess throwaway images.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

I loved your analogy

At most JPG would be those boxed cake mixes. You may add some flavoring to the mix, or improve the frosting, but not much more!

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

With Windows 10 there is a free Microsoft app that will show the RAW embedded JPEG in file folders.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Hmmm. Nice to know. I only replace computers when they croak, still have Win 7 on two.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Lightroom is highly recommended. For working professionals I recommend Lightroom as the first, best option, but with the caveat that there are alternatives and given individual needs and workflow preferences an investigation into the alternatives could be worth the effort.

Sharpening in a raw workflow should be applied in stages. A basic input or capture sharpening is indicated for all raw files. Output sharpening is further applied to the final image in the amount and using the method that is best indicated by the intended use of the image. There is no universal best output sharpening. If you look at the options for example in Lightroom when exporting an image you can select output sharpening for three different use options (screen, matte, or glossy paper) and at three different levels for each. One size does not fit all.

The topic is complex enough to have warranted writting a book: https://www.amazon.com/World-Sharpening-Photoshop-Camera-Lightroom-dp-0321637550/dp/0321637550/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

So ideally you begin with a light to moderate hand applying input sharpening. The raw processing software will typically apply a default amount of input sharpening. Then when you know how the image will be used you apply appropriate output sharpening during export.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Sharpening should be done when you think it's needed.
As for shooting both raw and jpg, it gives you a chance to compare all the work you do on the raw file to what you can do to just the jpg. Depending on your camera, editor, shooting and editing skills, you might learn something. Once you know everything, you probably will just shoot one or the other, depending on circumstances.

drjuice

I usually shoot both because my camera won't display RAW and I want to be certain I've got the shot I wanted left to right and top to bottom. I can take care of color balance and other issues when I display the default raw settings in my Corel or Faststone software. I'm jes' sayin'.
drjuice

Ourspolair

If you want to share your photos straight out of the camera, you should shoot RAW + jpeg. When you get back to your computer, you will find that post-processing in RAW gives you more to work with since there is less compression in the data. As you become more proficient in processing, you will discover how limiting jpegs are as your starting file.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

Not by everyone. There are many excellent other options not in the Adobe family. Even in the Adobe family I prefer Elements. If you decide to do post processing Raw files I would suggest researching professional reviewers recommendations and then use the free trial offers that many developers of processing programs offer and find out what works best for you.

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

BS.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

The name says it all.

Some people are jpg enthusiasts and hate raw processing. Others are diametrically opposite.

De gustibus non est disputandem.

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

There is a W7 codec available, but it only goes up to cameras of 2012 vintage or so.