What is the difference between Raw and JPEG files?
What is the difference between Raw and JPEG files?
JPEG, TIFF, and RAW are image file formats supported by most DSLR cameras. Entry-level cameras usually only offer JPEG, but some digital cameras shoot in both JPEG and RAW at the same time. Of course, you probably won’t find many cameras that offer TIFF photography, only some of the most advanced cameras include this exact image format. The most important difference between the three formats JPEG, TIFF and RAW is the amount of detail and information they hold. JPEG loses the most detail and information through compression, but takes up less space in return. As the name suggests, RAW (Raw Image Files) does not compress or process the image data in any way, which means that the files in this format are much bulkier and larger.
What is a RAW image?
A RAW image—also known as a “digital negative”—is an image file that contains unprocessed or minimally processed data from a digital camera’s sensor. Similar to raw food ingredients that must be prepared and cooked before consumption, a RAW image must be processed in software before it is ready to be printed, shared, or displayed on a display device. Unlike JPEG files, which are easily opened, viewed and printed by most viewing, image editing programs, RAW is a proprietary format tied to a specific camera model. Therefore, in order for the software to work with a RAW file, it must be compatible with the specific camera with which the RAW image was captured. Post-processed RAW images can provide greater dynamic range (with better highlight and shadow recovery options), superior colors, and in some cases even more detail compared to JPEG images.
What is a JPEG image?
JPEG is an image format that uses compression to store and display digital images. Thanks to its high compression efficiency, it is the most popular and accepted image format today because it can be used with most display devices and software with built-in capabilities to read and display JPEG images. A different level of quality (typically in percentage) can be applied to compress JPEG images, which affects the overall quality and final size of the image. Low quality conversion results in increased compression, smaller files, while images saved at higher quality settings will be more efficient for printing and display. But anyway, our hand is more open.
In short, by not shooting in raw, you’re making your images completely unusable. Most photos taken in JPEG will look fine as long as you just want to take snapshots. But to enhance your images, you need to maintain your ability to fully enhance them. Letting the camera make the editing decisions for you also takes some of the fun out of taking pictures. It’s the skill and mastery of learning how to get the best out of them in your photo editor of choice. The only way to do this is to shoot in Raw. So, from now on, only shoot in Raw and see how much it affects your photography process.