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10/21/2005 08:07:48 PM · #1 |
| I'm sure there have been threads on this, but I've never seen them. I was curious what the advantage of shooting in RAW mode is? How much of a difference does it really make? I've read reviews that have compared high quality JPGs to RAW, with the same camera, and there really isn't much of a difference. I understand that RAW mode doesn't do any in-camera processing (something like that), but who cares? Does that actually affect the outcome? |
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10/21/2005 08:10:44 PM · #2 |
| I'm interested to see any posts added to this forum as that's my next goal... to understand RAW and the advantages of... |
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10/21/2005 08:14:05 PM · #3 |
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10/21/2005 08:19:21 PM · #4 |
Personally, I almost always shoot JPG. The only time I shoot RAW is when I'm in a situation with tricky white balance. If you shoot RAW, white balance is very easily adjustable in post processing. If you shoot JPG, then it's much more difficult to correct white balance in post processing.
People will go on and on about how wonderful RAW is, and will tell you that they exclusively shoot RAW. Maybe they're right, I don't know. But from personal experience, I'd say JPG is totally adequate for 90% of situations. In fact, I've taken some shots in both JPG and RAW, then post processed them both, and I've found that in many cases the JPG actually looks BETTER than the image shot in RAW.
I'm sure RAW is theoretically at least slightly better in the right hands, but for most people I think JPG is the way to go.
Besides, it takes up MUCH less space on your memory card, so you can take more shots. When shooting RAW, you need to be careful not to take too many shots and fill up your card. And we all know that one of the secrets of good photography is to take lots of pictures. :) |
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10/21/2005 08:38:33 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by Keith Maniac:
And we all know that one of the secrets of good photography is to take lots of pictures. :) |
I have the feeling you are being sarcastic.... I hope so. The major "secret" to photography is exposing the best possible composition that you can. This is done in many ways; among them, through attention to details, creative planning and if I may state the obvious, creating the highest resolution and best quality shot your camera is capable of recording. This will serve you well throughout every process in the making of your piece from initial evaluation through finished print being produced. RAW is one of the keys for the best final product a photographer can make. There are times (usually in sports related shooting) that rapid bursts of shots are needed precluding RAW formatting in many cameras. But when possible, RAW is preferred for finest finished quality photographs by those who make their living with a digital camera. If you are just shooting snapshots or need to maximize card space, that is a different issue.
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10/21/2005 08:55:15 PM · #6 |
Listen to the doctor... I took his advise some time ago, bought the book and almost never again shot anything but RAW, and the ones I shot in jpeg frustrated me because of the limitations on 'improving' my pic. But then I must say I am a less than average amateur who needs to be enabled to manipulate to improve;-) |
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10/21/2005 09:01:27 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Keith Maniac:
....Besides, it takes up MUCH less space on your memory card, so you can take more shots. When shooting RAW, you need to be careful not to take too many shots and fill up your card. And we all know that one of the secrets of good photography is to take lots of pictures. :) |
Memory is cheap these days...HD space is cheap...DVD's are cheap...Not a reason you shouldn't shoot RAW. |
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10/21/2005 09:12:47 PM · #8 |
I just can't get myself to shoot RAW. Long live jpeg. Maybe some day.
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10/21/2005 09:50:03 PM · #9 |
i used to say that - and now that's all i shoot.
it's worth it...
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10/21/2005 10:12:12 PM · #10 |
I shoot both RAW and JPG, but most of the time I don't have a lot of time for post processing and shooting in RAW just adds to that time, so I would say the mojority of time I shoot JPG. If I know I may want a large print of something I will shoot RAW to avoid loosing any quality during compression.
Message edited by author 2005-10-21 22:12:24.
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10/21/2005 10:21:03 PM · #11 |
| I mainly shoot in RAW. Maybe it's my bad technique but I like the ability to be able to do adjustments easily to my image before I even get to PS to get it looking how I want it. |
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10/21/2005 10:28:29 PM · #12 |
The doctor gives good advice.
I was a reluctant convert to RAW - too much hassle, big files, all the usual.
Then I started shooting RAW and thought - well - so what's the big deal here. Maybe I won't bother any more.
Then I bought Real World Camera RAW and the world changed. Now I do about 80% of my post processing manipulation in Camera RAW and only use PS to sharpen and for spot editing. The quality that you can get out of the images is just beyond compare vs JPEGs - especially if you want to print. You also gain dynamic range - a lot less of those blown highlights to contend with.
My suggestion - don't bother to try it unless you're willing to read through Real World Camera RAW as you probably won't see any difference.
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10/21/2005 10:50:06 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by RonBeam:
Originally posted by Keith Maniac:
And we all know that one of the secrets of good photography is to take lots of pictures. :) |
I have the feeling you are being sarcastic.... I hope so. |
No, I'm not being sarcastic. For example, when shooting for the Coffee Shop challenge, I shot tons of pictures of my wife in coffee shops. Out of all of those pictures, there was one (1) picture that stood head and shoulders above the rest. When you're capturing a fleeting moment in time, as many good photographs do, it helps to take as many shots as possible to help maximize your chances of capturing "THE" moment. Sure, if you're shooting some static object, or a landscape, or whatever, then you can take your time to determine exactly what shutter speed, aperture, etc. to use, and you may take only a few shots. But in many, many situations, it's best to just shoot a TON of photos, and hope that you get ONE that you really love. |
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10/21/2005 10:55:33 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by doctornick:
Originally posted by Keith Maniac:
....Besides, it takes up MUCH less space on your memory card, so you can take more shots. When shooting RAW, you need to be careful not to take too many shots and fill up your card. And we all know that one of the secrets of good photography is to take lots of pictures. :) |
Memory is cheap these days...HD space is cheap...DVD's are cheap...Not a reason you shouldn't shoot RAW. |
Maybe so, but I'm a cheapskate ;) |
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10/21/2005 10:56:24 PM · #15 |
| I'm in the habit of shooting raw, and have not made a jpeg from camera for several years. Not the best person to make a comparison. For me, plain and simple - I like to utilize the expanded editing options and improvement in tonality. Big files also cause you to shoot less. |
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10/22/2005 12:24:24 AM · #16 |
I shoot mostly JPG, the biggest least compressed version I can.
I shoot RAW when the shot is most important, as it gives me extra security regarding exposure and WB.
Since I use PS 7, it can't do much of anything in other than 8 bit mode, so the advantage of editing in 12 bit (as PS CS can, as RAW files are) is null and void for me.
If and when I get PS CS then I will re-evaluate my thoughts as the workflow available to me will be more suited to getting the most from a RAW capture. |
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10/22/2005 08:23:49 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by joezl:
The doctor gives good advice.
I was a reluctant convert to RAW - too much hassle, big files, all the usual.
Then I started shooting RAW and thought - well - so what's the big deal here. Maybe I won't bother any more.
Then I bought Real World Camera RAW and the world changed. Now I do about 80% of my post processing manipulation in Camera RAW and only use PS to sharpen and for spot editing. The quality that you can get out of the images is just beyond compare vs JPEGs - especially if you want to print. You also gain dynamic range - a lot less of those blown highlights to contend with.
My suggestion - don't bother to try it unless you're willing to read through Real World Camera RAW as you probably won't see any difference. |
Ditto to ALL of it.
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