Five Reasons You Should Shoot In JPEG And Five Reasons You Should Shoot In RAW
Words by Scott Bourne - A Platypod Pro
Edited by Eryka Bagwell
When you are a digital photographer, one of the first decisions you need to make concerns file format. The two most common file formats are JPEG and RAW. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right one can greatly affect the quality of your photos. In this blog post, we will discuss five reasons to shoot in JPEG and five reasons to shoot in RAW.
Five Reasons to Shoot in JPEG:
1. Smaller File Size: JPEGs are compressed files, which means that they are smaller in size than RAW files. This is great for photographers who need to store a large number of photos on their hard drive or memory card.
2. Easy to Share: JPEGs are the most common file format used for sharing photos online. They are supported by nearly all web browsers and image viewers, making it easy to share your photos with others.
3. Quick Editing: JPEGs can be edited quickly and easily in photo editing software. This is because the files are already processed by the camera, which means that the colors and exposure are already adjusted.
4. In-Camera Processing: Many modern cameras have advanced processing features that can be applied to JPEG files in-camera, such as white balance and noise reduction. This can save time in post-processing and can result in better-looking photos.
5. Less Storage Space: Because JPEGs are compressed, they take up less storage space than RAW files. This is especially important for photographers who shoot in bursts or who need to store a large number of photos on their hard drive or memory card.
Five Reasons to Shoot in RAW:
1. Greater Flexibility: RAW files contain much more data than JPEGs, which means that they offer greater flexibility in post-processing. This is because RAW files contain all of the data that the camera captured, including details in the shadows and highlights.
2. Better Image Quality: Because RAW files contain more data, they generally offer better image quality than JPEGs. This is especially true when it comes to color depth and dynamic range.
3. Non-Destructive Editing: When you edit a RAW file, you are not actually changing the original file. Instead, you are creating a new file that contains the changes. This means that you can always go back to the original RAW file if you need to make further edits.
4. White Balance Adjustment: With RAW files, you can easily adjust the white balance after the fact. This is great for photographers who shoot in mixed lighting conditions or who forgot to set the correct white balance in-camera.
5. Future Proofing: RAW files are future proof, meaning that as technology advances and new software becomes available, you will be able to take advantage of it. This is because RAW files contain all of the data that the camera captured, which means that you can always go back and re-edit your photos with new software.
CONCLUSION
The choice between JPEG and RAW will depend on your own personal preferences and the specific needs of your project. However, understanding the differences between these two file formats can help you make an informed decision that will lead to better-looking photos.
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