Shooting in RAW

[703Methane]

Hey TPF,

I just a a quick question. Through the 6-8 months that I've had my camera, I've never shot in RAW. Now ever since I've joined this forum, I noticed that a lot of people shoot RAW and usually recommend it.
I saw a post that someone posted up giving an example with a ruler. It was very helpful. But I want to know more...

Sooo..... What is the difference and how this is 'better' that shooting without it.

Thanks

 

[lyonsroar]

Way more room for adjustment in RAW.
Your sig says you have LR, so why not?

Understanding RAW Files Explained
Why Should I Shoot in RAW Mode? - DigitalDarrell.com
RAW vs JPG

 

[703Methane]

Thanks for the links. Starting to read now.

 

[Jcampbelll]

When shooting in Jpeg your camera compresses the file, losing data. RAW doesn't do that, making each pictures bigger in size. Watch this video by Jared Polin, he takes two same pictures but one shot in RAW other in Jpeg. He edits the two pictures and you can see the difference in how much more detail the RAW has.

YouTube - Photography Raw vs Jpeg 1

 

[Alex Chicago]

This is great info, especially for a newbie like me.

 

[703Methane]

When shooting in Jpeg your camera compresses the file, losing data. RAW doesn't do that, making each pictures bigger in size. Watch this video by Jared Polin, he takes two same pictures but one shot in RAW other in Jpeg. He edits the two pictures and you can see the difference in how much more detail the RAW has.

YouTube - Photography Raw vs Jpeg 1

Thanks for the Youtube link, saves me from reading.

 

[scotch59]

When you shoot in raw you have full control of the white balance after the shot, so say you you get the white balance a bit off, you have full control of changing the WB to whatever you would like, incandescent, shade, flash, etc... thats the best part in my opinion, and the image is much higher quality, but of course a much larger file, so your memory card wont be able to hold as many opposed to Jpeg.

 

[703Methane]

Yeah thats the only disadvantage that i've noticed with JPEG shots I can get up to 500 shots with a 4gb
And only 150 shots with my 4gb.

BUT ! I've just learned, as scotch just mentioned, that I will have Complete control over everything in my picture. And editing will become more crisp. This was very helpful guys I appreciate everyones help.

 

[703Methane]

Heres something that also help me see things more clearly with comparing the two.


A 12 Bit raw File
Within the first F/Stop, which contains the Brightest Tones
2048 levels available
Within the second F/Stop, which contains Bright Tones
1024 levels available
Within the third F/Stop, which contains the Mid-Tones
512 levels available
Within the fourth F/Stop, which contains Dark Tones
256 levels available
Within the fifth F/Stop, which contains the Darkest Tones
128 levels available
Figure #1


An 8 Bit JPG File
Within the first F/Stop, which contains the Brightest Tones
69 levels available
Within the second F/Stop, which contains Bright Tones
50 levels available
Within the third F/Stop, which contains the Mid-Tones
37 levels available
Within the fourth F/Stop, which contains Dark Tones
27 levels available
Within the fifth F/Stop, which contains the Darkest Tones
20 levels available

 

[Trever1t]

I compare RAW files to using a negative to make prints in a darkroom. There's much more that you can do to breath life into a shot. I shoot predominantly in 14-bit RAW. Of course this means more time in the 'dark-room' but I think it's well worth it.

 

[clanthar]

Heres something that also help me see things more clearly with comparing the two.


A 12 Bit raw File
Within the first F/Stop, which contains the Brightest Tones
2048 levels available
Within the second F/Stop, which contains Bright Tones
1024 levels available
Within the third F/Stop, which contains the Mid-Tones
512 levels available
Within the fourth F/Stop, which contains Dark Tones
256 levels available
Within the fifth F/Stop, which contains the Darkest Tones
128 levels available
Figure #1


An 8 Bit JPG File
Within the first F/Stop, which contains the Brightest Tones
69 levels available
Within the second F/Stop, which contains Bright Tones
50 levels available
Within the third F/Stop, which contains the Mid-Tones
37 levels available
Within the fourth F/Stop, which contains Dark Tones
27 levels available
Within the fifth F/Stop, which contains the Darkest Tones
20 levels available

That's it plain as day, and as Trever noted we now have cameras that capture in 14 bit RAW -- even more than the 12 noted here.

The trick is that you can't keep it all. Not only will that info not transfer to a print, but you can't even display it on your monitor. The process then is one of reduction. With a skilled photographer in control of the software that reduction process can produce amazing results. Hand the job over to a computer (in camera or on the desk) and you usually get a botch job.

Joe

 

[sobolik]

Forget RAW
( RAW vs JPG )

unless you are required to by someone like a buyer.
(http://www.arizonahighways.com/images/default/Downloadable%20Docs/DigitalGuidelines.pdf )

I think many people shoot RAW because they think it will make them a great photographer just like many think that buying expensive equipment will make them a great photographer.

 

[703Methane]

Forget RAW
( RAW vs JPG )

unless you are required to by someone like a buyer.
(http://www.arizonahighways.com/images/default/Downloadable%20Docs/DigitalGuidelines.pdf )

I think many people shoot RAW because they think it will make them a great photographer just like many think that buying expensive equipment will make them a great photographer.

I agree, But i'm a big time editor and I like being able to edit everything in the picture rather than only be able to be in control of certain things.
I'm not only going to shoot in J-peg now. But when I shoot portraits and other important photos I will most likely be shooting in RAW rather than JPEG.

 

[Jcampbelll]

Forget RAW
( RAW vs JPG )

unless you are required to by someone like a buyer.
(http://www.arizonahighways.com/images/default/Downloadable%20Docs/DigitalGuidelines.pdf )

I think many people shoot RAW because they think it will make them a great photographer just like many think that buying expensive equipment will make them a great photographer.

I wouldn't follow everything from Rockwell. He is very controversial. I have never been limited by how many shots I can take with RAW. Spend $20 and you got yourself 1000 RAW shots worth of sd cards.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Forget RAW
( RAW vs JPG )

unless you are required to by someone like a buyer.
(http://www.arizonahighways.com/images/default/Downloadable%20Docs/DigitalGuidelines.pdf )

I think many people shoot RAW because they think it will make them a great photographer just like many think that buying expensive equipment will make them a great photographer.

I wouldn't follow everything from Sobolik. He is very controversial.

Fixed. :lmao: