Raw vs Jpeg

ood evening everyone and welcome to another edition of “Taking Photos”. Tonight we’re going to look at Raw files and Jpeg files. People often ask me what the differences are between Jpeg files, and Raw files. Let’s start with Jpeg files. Jpeg stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. The compression algorithm is lossy, meaning some image quality is lost during the compression process. (*1)

“JPG files, also known as JPEGs, are a common file format used primarily for digital photographs and other complex still images. JPG is pronounced "jay-peg" and stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, the committee that created the file type. JPG files have the file extension .jpg or .jpeg and are, in fact also called JPEGs. They are the most common file type for images taken with digital cameras and are widely used for photos and other graphics used on websites. When JPG files are saved, they use a "lossy" compression, meaning that image quality is lost as file size decreases. When web designers put together a web page that contains photographs, they choose the level of compression for a JPG file: the more compression, the faster the image loads and the better the user's experience with the page — but as the compression increases, image quality is lost.” (*2) In layman’s terms, the image that you are left with after image processing techniques have been used either by you, or the computer. There will be resolution loss of some kind. If you compare the jpeg file to the original Raw file, you will notice that the Raw file can be 2 to 6 times larger than the Jpeg file. Depending on the camera make and model, the files can even be larger than that.

“A raw file is a collection of unprocessed data. This means the file has not been altered, compressed, or manipulated in any way by the computer. Raw files are often used as data files by software programs that load and process the data. A popular type of raw file is "Camera RAW," which is generated by a digital camera. Instead of processing the image captured by the camera, the data is left unprocessed and uncompressed until it is opened with a computer program.” (*1) In layman’s terms, Raw files are the original, unedited images that will give you the highest resolution. Raw files enable you to make the necessary corrections that will give you the best looking photo after digital processing. If you are shooting Raw files, you will want to shoot with a large memory card. A large memory card will enable you to store lots of images, including lots of Jpeg-Raw images. When I am talking to my students, I also like to describe Raw files as “untouched negatives” similar to unprocessed film if you needed something to visualize. For Raw files you will need a software program capable of opening the Raw files, and capable of making the necessary corrections to make the photo look good. When I am talking about a good looking photo, the exposure is not too bright, and not too dark. The color tones are in sync. The colors are not too saturated or washed out. There is no digital noise present in the photo. (Digital noise is the graininess, or very subtle dots/specs that you see in the image. Be aware that some people do not mind digital noise. It is also a corrective feature in Photoshop)

A Raw file usually ranges between 17 and 25 megabytes. Raw files are so large in resolution that you usually cannot share more than two or three of them in an email. You will also need a program like Lightroom to edit the files. If you purchase a digital camera capable of taking Raw images, the manufacturer usually includes a software program capable of editing Raw files. You can also use Photoshop to edit Raw files. If you’re thinking that working with Raw files requires too much work, get that thought out of your head. One of the benefits of working wit Raw files is having more control over what your images look like. If you want to take things a little slower and are not yet ready to completely commit to shooting Raw files, camera manufacturers allow you to shoot Jpeg and Raw files simultaneously. The setting on your camera should be found in the image quality section. You will select “Jpeg-Raw”. When you look at both images together, you will notice that the Raw images are two to three times larger than the Jpeg images. What you are looking at in the Jpeg file is the way the image looks after the computer in the camera decides what the image should look like. One of the drawbacks to this is not being able to make too many adjustments. However, with the Raw images, you have complete control over the adjustments. If you’re new to editing Raw images using Jpeg-Raw files will also provide you with an opportunity to see how the computer thinks the image(s) should look, and you can edit your images similar to these. You will have more resolution in your images, and you will also have more options for editing your images. I personally use Lightroom when I’m editing my Raw files. The key to editing Raw images is to practice, practice, practice. When I first started attending ICP, they were using Lightroom. I was already using Lightroom prior to attending ICP. I learned about several additional features that enabled me to work faster on my computer. After working with multiple images every week, this enabled me to edit my images even faster. After a while, editing Raw images became very easy. I also enjoyed it.

Editing my own images is very important to me since I was the person taking them. There are image editing companies that will do all the editing work for you allowing you to do what you love, taking pictures. I highly recommend sending out your photos for editing if you do not have the time, nor the desire to edit your photos. Editing photos can take several hours so you may want to consider finding someone else to edit them for you. I recently took some photos of my colleague’s daughter. I photographed her using Jpeg-Raw. The file that I decided to use was file number 1262.

In its Raw state, the file has 19.6 megabytes, in its Jpeg state it has 6.1 megabytes. If you were looking at the size of each file, the Raw image is a little over 3x the size as the Jpeg image. Ironically after the Raw file has been edited in Lightroom and converted to Jpeg, it still measures 11.7 megabytes. This image was converted from a Raw file to a Jpeg. Even though it has been reduced in size, it is still a large file.

So, in summarizing everything that we learned about Raw and Jpeg files today: • Don’t be afraid to shoot in Raw • If you are concerned about not editing Raw files correctly, shoot Jpeg-Raw • Raw files are very large files so you may want to purchase a memory card of 16gb or more. • Raw files need the appropriate software fro editing such as Lightroom • Jpeg files are compressed so they will lose some resolution • Raw files provide you with more options to edit your photos (*1) Tech Terms found on Google (*2) About Money-http://graphicdesign.about.com/od/Definitions/g/Jpg-Files.htm