RAW vs. JPEG
Dear Bubbles:
I shoot in JPEG format. Should I be shooting in RAW?
~Julie
Dear Julie:
As with almost every question in photography, the answer is, “It depends.” You can create a successful photograph in either format! The important thing is that you know the difference between the two so that you know how to approach exposure and processing to maximize the benefits of each format. Armed with that knowledge, you “should” do whatever is best for you!
A raw file (also sometimes capitalized as a RAW file even though it is not an acronym for anything) is a large file that captures the broadest range of data possible in an uncompressed format. When you snap the shutter, your camera records “all the data” it can regarding light intensity, color, bit depth, sensor information, and other details.
A RAW file is “just” data. It is not an image. This is important! Our goal when we snap the shutter, then, is to record as much data as possible during the exposure—and not necessarily get the best image in camera. There’s a difference! We record as much data as possible by exposing our histogram to the right without blowing out the highlights, a technique referred to as “Expose to the Right,” or ETTR. (For a refresher on histograms, visit my earlier column “Histogram is Out of Shape” at https://dearbubbles.com/2020/03/histogram-is-out-of-shape.)
The camera does not process this data in-camera. The camera does not convert it into an image or anything else. The file is too large. The camera’s processing and battery power isn’t strong enough to do so. A RAW file is literally a dump of raw data. A lot of it too.
(As a side note, the camera does process a compressed JPEG thumbnail and includes this thumbnail within the uncompressed RAW data set. You’ll see this saved JPEG thumbnail—and not the actual RAW file—when you review your image on the LCD screen on your camera and when you see your images in thumbnails in processing software like Adobe Lightroom and/or Bridge. Camera settings like white balance, color space, and color profile do not affect a RAW file. They do, however, affect the JPEG thumbnail you see on the LCD screen—without changing any of the RAW data. I know, it’s confusing sometimes…)
In order for the RAW data file to become an image, the photographer must use external software to translate this data into an image file before a computer or other output device can read/use it. This conversion usually occurs in processing software like Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom.
A RAW file is considered a lossless format. This means processing and editing the image in software is non-destructive to the file. You can adjust exposure, contrast, color balance, and whatever else to your heart’s content without negatively impacting the file’s data quality. (As you do so, you might reduce the quantity of data—i.e., subtract pixels—from the file when you decide to make adjustments, like darkening an image, but the data’s quality is not degraded). Because the RAW file contains an abundance of usable data, especially if you’re adhering to the ETTR technique, RAW files offer photographers the most options and flexibility in processing.
On the flip side, a JPEG (which stands for “Joint Photographic Experts Group”) is a smaller file that contains a compressed subset of the RAW data. When you snap the shutter, your camera records “all the data” regarding light intensity, color, bit depth, sensor information, and other sensor details like it did with the RAW format. However, the camera goes another step further: it converts it into a compressed image from that data.
The camera makes decisions on what data to keep or toss without any input from the photographer. Which is cool and convenient if you’re short on time and need to get an image out into the world (e.g. a newspaper photographer with a timely snap). It’s not so cool if you’re a control freak and want to be involved with as much of the process of developing your data into a final photograph. I digress…
JPEG is an image file, so our goal for JPEG is different than our goal with RAW when we snap the shutter. We want to ensure we record a proper exposure for the image (which is not the same as maximizing data as we do with RAW). For JPEG files, we try to ensure the histogram shape (whatever shape it is) appears centered between the two ends of the graph. It’s not too far to the left, not too far to the right. It should evenly distributed perfectly in the middle with equal distance from the left and right. Also, as I referred to earlier, camera settings like white balance, color space, and color profile do affect how the JPEG renders—both on the LCD screen on your camera AND your computer.
A JPEG file requires no further conversion to be viewed, shared, or edited—it’s already been converted by the camera into a universally compatible image format. This means that JPEGS are immediately recognizable by output devices like computers, printers, mobile devices, social media, etc. Because of the compression, a JPEG contains less data than a RAW which makes them even easier to view and share.
Not only do JPEGs contain less data and are already converted into images, but they are also considered a lossy format. This means processing and editing in processing software is destructive to the image quality. You could still adjust things like exposure, contrast, color balance, and more in software. However, every time you make an adjustment, you’ll degrade the image data quality (and, depending on the adjustment, reduce the image data quantity as well).
Given this limitation, photographers photographing in JPEG format tend not to process their images. Instead, they pay more attention to getting the exposure, contrast, color balance, etc. in camera when they snap the shutter.
Look at it this way: a RAW file is like a whole blueberry pie coming out of the oven. It might need some finishing touches (“processing”) before serving. You could add ice cream, whipped cream, or more blueberries. Or eat it straight. You could eat it warmed or cooled or something in between. You have options and can go in many directions in enjoying your pie. JPEG is a slice of that pie already prepared with ice cream, whipped cream, and more blueberries added as finishing touches. It’s ready to eat! Both the whole pie and the slice of pie are absolutely delicious, but one may be more appropriate in different contexts.
Since there are additional factors and contrasts to consider in choosing a format—plus, I love a good spreadsheet as much as I love bubbles and pie!—here’s a table comparing different aspects of RAW and JPEG formats:
In short, RAW is typically a better format choice for those who are willing to spend the time and energy processing their files, are more patient in sharing their work with the outside world, are more likely to print (especially in larger dimensions), and are willing to invest in large amounts of storage space.
JPEG is a better format choice for those who have are not interested in processing their files, aren’t likely to print (or will do so in smaller dimensions), and don’t want to invest in large amounts of storage space but wish to share their photographs immediately with the outside world (via email, on social media, etc.)
Both formats are right answers but for different reasons. It’s up to you which is the right answer for you and your preferences.
If you are undecided as to which format to use, you can choose to shoot in both RAW and JPEG. Just know that you’ll need to expose the RAW differently than the JPEG if you wish to optimize the benefits of each format. This will result in at least four frames: RAW+JPEG for to optimize the RAW data capture (two frames), then another RAW+JEPG to balance the exposure for the JPEG format (two more frames). This approach obviously results in a lot of pixels which will take up more space on your memory card and other storage devices. But, it will give you plenty of options while you explore which format works best for you.
If you do not photograph in RAW now, but think there’s a possibility you might change your mind down the road, you might consider photographing in both RAW and JPEG now to give yourself options later. It’s like having your pie and eating it too!
Whatever you decide, keep shooting! And keep having fun!
Be well, be brave, be wild,
~Bubbles
Have a question about photography and/or the creative life? Need some advice? Looking for inspiration? Send your question to Dear Bubbles at colleen@colleenminiuk.com to be possibly featured in a future column post. (If you’d prefer a different display name than your real first name, please include your preferred nickname in your note.)
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