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"Raw Images" vs "JPEG"???
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Can someone explain to me very simply the difference between raw and jpeg, which one do you get the best result from and when and why you would use “Raw” images.
Thanks,
Chris
This has been discussed many times.. you should try the search facility. Here’s an example of one such discussion:
https://www.photographyireland.net/viewtopic.php?t=10896
And another:
https://www.photographyireland.net/viewtopic.php?t=15005
The simple answer:
Compared to an airfix kit the RAW file is the parts, with the instructions, and the paint and the stickers. If you need to tweak the final object it can be done easier before you present the complete kit as a finished product.
The JPG is the object after it has been assembled, glued and painted. If you try to improve it then you may run the risk of leaving scars. Every time you go at it and put it down the condition of it gradually gets worse.
Of course, the parts take up the room of a big box where as the finished item is smaller so easier to store.Clear as mud, eh? I’m sure the more technically minded will go through pixels, 1’s and 0’s and all that but effectively what I put in laymans terms covers it.
Alan
Alan, at last!!!!!! someone who thinks the same way I do.
MUCH MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!!
Thanks,
Chris
Hi Chris.
I used to shoot in jpeg and everyone used to be telling me I would be better shooting in raw-
needless to say I took no notice for a while, as I didn’t know anything about raw files and how to tweak them etc.However I made the change one day and haven’t looked back. Over the period I’ve learned more on how to do the little tweak in camera raw
and I feel I have improved my post processing skills a bit. I should be a lot better but don’t simply put the time into it.That being said I feel you would be better shooting in raw, and Alans explanation above is spot on.
Best of luck.Pat
Thanks Pat, I’m glad to hear from someone in a similar situation, the only software I have tho’ is the “Picture Project ” from Nikon and the bog standard Microsoft Picture Editor.
Do you think they’d be okay, like yourself I’m a complete novice, I can do red eyes and little bits like that but anything else is kinda way over me. I had a “go” at Photoshop a couple of years ago and could barely turn the bloody thing on!!Thanks,
Chris
I don’t know anything about the ‘bog standard’ stuff you speak of, but I would perservere with Photoshop.
It is a complicated piece of software and frightened me somewhat to start with, butI really don’t put the time into it
but I get by and produce some good stuff. Having said that PS isn’t the be all and end all of photography, so don’t worry too much about it,
just concentrate on getting your settings right and composition. There are loads of tutorials on PS if you require them, check out Peter Cox’s website.Pat
Buy a copy of PS Elements (<€100) and shoot RAW. Just open the RAW images and fiddle with the sliders. It is fairly intuitive. Use Recovery to correct for over exposure and "blacks" for the shadows. In both cases press “alt” key and adjust: Recovery – Black screen, move slider until screen is black Blacks – White screen, move slider until screen is white
Boost contrast if required and vibrance. Adjust the sharpness and reduce noise a little. Open in PS, adjust curves – bingo!Cheers.
John
Very good explanations all round.
Go RAW you will not look back, i occassionally shot in jpeg now if the pics are not going to be worth much or just quick snap shots.
I also just learned recently that standard Jpegs can be open in the raw editor via a menu option in the PS bridge. Most all options work bar the setting of the custom white balance. Very handy when you wished you had went raw.Dee
guthrij wrote:
Buy a copy of PS Elements (<€100) and shoot RAW. Just open the RAW images and fiddle with the sliders. It is fairly intuitive. Use Recovery to correct for over exposure and "blacks" for the shadows.
I’d actually recommend buying Adobe Lightroom 2. It’s much better for all this stuff, and has a lot more features and functions.
It took me a good while to move from shooting jpg to shooting raw, but when I did, it took a while to get used to it. Now, I wonder why anyone would want to shoot jpg (even though I know there are many good reasons to).
Give it a try, and, if you can, shoot raw+jpg for a while, and learn from that.
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