Readers Respond: When shooting digital photos, do you prefer JPEG or Raw for your camera files?

Responses: 32

By Sue Chastain, About.com Guide

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Really a no-brainer. A computer is far more powerful than a camera processor. RAW is the complete data, Jpeg or Tiff is a limited RAW. Time consuming? Well no, use the right software and efficient workflow. We use Capture One (by Phase One) and each of us here can process about 80 RAW-files per hour into the final product. In our perception Capture One has just some more 'flavor' than others. And it's of no use to keep all the processed files. C1 makes a sidecar directory within the directory where the RAWs reside, and put scripts for the final output in there. So, each time you push the button C1 does exactly the same processing. You can store variants, if you want. And it is possible to process from the same 'negative' different outputs simultaneously. A sRGB Jpeg for web, a ECI-V2-RGB for printing a billboard and a 8x10" sRGB Jpeg version for presentation. Just keep the RAWs together with the scripts, that's all folks. And save a lot of time for some beer...
—Guest Jur

I have been shooting mostly RAW for about 3 months now. For post processing you can get much more color vibrance out of a photo. You also have more control over the exposure. When shooting in harsh light I can under expose down to two stops if need be and then bring the exposure back in processing. RAW does have its drawbacks though. Storage, RAW takes up more space on your cards as well as computer. Managing more photos and files is time consuming. Then it comes to software. The software you have today might not read your RAW files from your new camera 2-3 years from now. So now you upgrade your software and the new software might not support your old RAW files. There are freebie shareware software programs that read and allow editing of RAW but they are limited with available functions. For everyday snapshots with family, etc. I use the highest JPEG setting. I can still get enough color or exposure as needed.
—Guest Shane

I would love to shoot in raw, but with all the feuding between Apple and Canon, I can't redeem the raw format off my new T2i. Something about codec and copyright. It pisses me off that I spring for a new camera, and have to wait months for software to catch up. Maybe one day I can stop shooting in jpg.
—Guest SaviourSix

I shoot mostly in RAW for the versatility when developing images. I will shoot JPEG for family and friends shots or for doing HDR or panoramic images.
—Balayage

The pro photographer is right... RAW is a bit of a myth. If you know what you are doing in the first place, JPEG at its highest level is fine for web, newspapers, mags, etc.
—Guest Ted

Always shoot RAW together with the smallest JPEG file. RAW for the information, JPEG for administration.
—Guest Volker Schenk

The more you learn the less you know with the bottomless pit that is photographic knowledge. I tend to shoot in highest possible resolution in combined RAW/JPEG format. Like negatives, the RAW image is always available for maximum adjustment and the JPEG version of the same image provides ease of reference and sharing. Recently I took home studio shots of my niece and images downloaded directly to laptop. Her daughter, out of range of Bowens studio flash, was laughing at laptop images and I was able to capture her relaxed, happy expression. The RAW data made the very dark shots 'salvageable' and some delightful images were captured from the shadows. I love spontaneous and relaxed portraits like that but JPEG would have been unable to produce the goods. Certain action photography and motor drive mean shooting in JPEG is essential. Such a fabulous hobby. Like music, the images are a universal language. Happy shooting. Dave
—Guest Davemac

As scuba diver I use RAW format as it allows me to make changes to the color balance. I don't like to use color correction filters when diving as applying them takes me too much time.
—Guest Peter

I've been shooting digital for only about 2 years & I love it. I've been photographing for over 30 years in film & digital is pretty new to me. I'm a retired pro photographer & I'm still learning more about the digital cameras. Since I'm retired I bought a Canon XTI which I think is great. Small, light & takes very good photos in JPEG. Have done some raw, but it takes too much room in the cards. JPEG on the other hand doesn't take much room. Still like JPEG more than raw.
—Guest Dig1

That was educational AND to the point. I have just taken up this new hobby and am still learning the basics of photography. Friends have told me to use RAW as you can play around with the detail on your PC Software but after reading your comments on RAW and JPEG I shall make my own mind up, thankyou.
—Guest Fred O'Neill

I recently managed to get all of the family together for group photos in the garden. In Aperture Priority at F5.6 I inadvertently left the hotshoe flash ON from the indoor session. Everything 2 stops over exposed. Get out of that shooting in JPEG.
—Guest RayB

JPEG is for shooters who need speed or CAN'T translate from RAW in the field, such as photo-journalists. I import to Lightroom into DNG format, but keep the RAW file as my original backed up. JPEG is letting the camera decide how to post-process the original data...
—Guest drsPIX

RAW is tougher, but it's rather like being in a darkroom again (without the chemical mess). I take theatre pics and the ability to find extra detail in shadows and tame highlights is a joy. I also use DxO which gives me many more options.
—Aniarb

I just returned from White Pocket near Page, AZ. This is a photographer's dream -- geologic rock formations of unparalleled beauty. I call it "God's Finger Painting". Sunrise and sunset light creates what appears to be an entirely different scene. Being able to "CAPTURE" all of these nuances in RAW is important.
—Sebastian612

A Raw image is a true digital negative that has much more "data" than a jpg image at 12 or 14 bits instead of 8 bits, so it captures more tones and colors than a jpg file. It is not processed in the camera as to white balance, sharpness, color saturation, etc. as are jpg files. Raw offers more dynamic range from black to white and is less likely to clip highlights than jpg. Since you process the photos yourself, you can set the white balance and fix color casts, apply sharpening, adjust color saturation and you have more ability to salvage under- or over-exposed images. Jpg images area already "baked" when they come out of the camera so there is not as much leeway for making corrections to the image.
—Digidiva100

With my Canon S 50 I shot RAW because it allowed me to create larger images from the 5MP files of this camera. With my Nikon D300 I shoot RAW because I archive my images as Adobe DNG in Lightroom. This is a cross platform format for archiving RAW files. If I were taking production images in a fixed set up I would be using jpeg for the smaller file size. Memory is so inexpensive that RAW storage is affordable, and gives you more options.
—romanticf16

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Sue Chastain
Graphics Software Guide