Shooting RAW, thoughts?

luvmyfamily · Mar 23, 2012

I've considered shooting RAW vs. Jpeg. Thoughts? Is this a poor excuse for fixing image issues as obviously RAW has more PP capabilities? Or should you just get it right the first time in Jpeg?

Judobreaker · Mar 23, 2012

RAW > JPG.

Always.

JPG simply means your camera will shoot a RAW and process it for you.
Automatic processing is done by general settings which the manufacturer thought most people would like in most cases.
RAW means you have full control over the processing, enabling you to go about it your own way and not in the way some programmer did it.

luvmyfamily · Mar 23, 2012

Judobreaker said:
RAW > JPG.

Always.

JPG simply means your camera will shoot a RAW and process it for you.
Automatic processing is done by general settings which the manufacturer thought most people would like in most cases.
RAW means you have full control over the processing, enabling you to go about it your own way and not in the way some programmer did it.

Thank you, I get conflicting advice on here at times. I am told you should "get it right the first time," that "PP is a way to enhance an image, not to fix issues." Just as some people enjoy curling up reading a book on a rainy day, I enjoy PP and find it therapeuatic....that's just me.

Judobreaker · Mar 23, 2012

Every good image is post processed in some way. ^^
I believe people telling you to get it completely correct in camera have too little experience with post processing.
Sharpening, slight contrast changes, noise reduction... All part of post processing. Shooting in JPG just lets the camera do those for you, the image will still be post processed.

usayit · Mar 23, 2012

I Shoot RAW always...

Note: The quality of the JPG images out of camera are highly dependent on the camera. I have one camera that has earned a good reputation for JPG's so I tried it one time for just snapshots while out and about. It was pretty nice considering zero time to process. Still... I will most likely shoot raw exclusively.

480sparky · Mar 23, 2012

Fact of the matter is: Everyone shoots raw. Yes, it's true. Every image starts out as raw. The difference is whether you choose to save it as jpeg only by using the in-camera conversion.

It's really a matter of whether you choose to save the raw data, or let some engineer in some far-away land who has no interest in how you images are rendered perform the jpeg conversion for you.

luvmyfamily · Mar 23, 2012

Judobreaker said:
Every good image is post processed in some way. ^^
I believe people telling you to get it completely correct in camera have too little experience with post processing.
Sharpening, slight contrast changes, noise reduction... All part of post processing. Shooting in JPG just lets the camera do those for you, the image will still be post processed.

I know a lot of GREAT photographers but really stink at PP.....just sayn....

Trever1t · Mar 23, 2012

Those that shoot jpg (only) just don't understand clearly. There are times when shooting jpg might be of benefit, rapid fire sports or simple snapshots but otherwise it's RAW.

luvmyfamily · Mar 23, 2012

Trever1t said:
Those that shoot jpg (only) just don't understand clearly. There are times when shooting jpg might be of benefit, rapid fire sports or simple snapshots but otherwise it's RAW.

Because RAW files sizes are large, if you were doing a photo session, (I did a senior and had 198 images after the session) I am assuming I would need to carry an extra card for space? I have shot RAW before but not for an entire session.

davidchurch · Mar 23, 2012

A friend recommened this to me.

If your camera has the capability to capture RAW and JPEG at the same time use this mode, then PP the RAW image yourself and compare it to the JPEG which the camera converted for you, then your mind will be made.

However, I try not to be ridgid, I shoot RAW most of the time but their are times when i choose JPEG, if I'm uploading straight to the web, need the image in a rush or casually shooting the family I choose jpeg because I don't want to spend days converting all my images one by one, but if your a PP junkie then you could knock yourself out.

Joey_Ricard · Mar 23, 2012

luvmyfamily said:
Judobreaker said:

Every good image is post processed in some way. ^^
I believe people telling you to get it completely correct in camera have too little experience with post processing.
Sharpening, slight contrast changes, noise reduction... All part of post processing. Shooting in JPG just lets the camera do those for you, the image will still be post processed.

Click to expand...

I know a lot of GREAT photographers but really stink at PP.....just sayn....

It is in your best interest to do as much as you can to capture the image as you intend it to be
This can be directly related to using filters, fill lighting etc etc while shooting.

With that said, it is still better to be able to make any adjustments "easier and cleaner" after the fact with a Raw file then it is to only have a predisposed JPG file.
Sure, you can do what you want, but with Raw, you absolutely have more control.

Sure, sometimes I don't shoot raw - (for outdoor festivals in good light, races, etc etc) where I know my exposure is not a challenge, but for low light, night and unpredictable lighting conditions and especially early and late sun and fog Raw is a great thing to have.

DiskoJoe · Mar 23, 2012

I shoot raw. Always. If you need more memory to make this happen the buy extra cards and a external hard drive.

Judobreaker · Mar 23, 2012

luvmyfamily said:
Judobreaker said:

Every good image is post processed in some way. ^^
I believe people telling you to get it completely correct in camera have too little experience with post processing.
Sharpening, slight contrast changes, noise reduction... All part of post processing. Shooting in JPG just lets the camera do those for you, the image will still be post processed.

Click to expand...

I know a lot of GREAT photographers but really stink at PP.....just sayn....