RAW vs JPEG | does it really matter?

Do you really need to shoot in RAW??
-Eric
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[@jantorbeck-bean3759]

This is great info. I have been in graphic design for decades and have had to photoshop many photos over the years. Typically they were reproduced for electronic processing via a jpeg file and hard edges rarely exist. The issue that I always ran into was placing a portion of one image onto another. If the clip is done with a hard edge, it is very noticeable. I would slightly feather the clip so that the background image could 'blend' from behind into the new layer just as if the camera had taken the picture. The RAW image here even after editing has such sharper definition which would make creating a clipping mask so much easier. Additionally, there may be little difference at certain printing scale, but to me the raw edited image had much more dimension. Compared to the edited JPEG, the RAW file looks 3-dimensional.

[@Earlyb33]

Great video as always Eric. I have been following you and Bill for just over a year now and I have learnt and been influenced a lot from you guys including getting a Canon M50. This video also taught me how to copy settings from Lightroom to another image. I didn't even know that was possible until now!

[@BillEricPhotography]

That’s great to hear, thanks!

[@michael-4k4000]

It’s best to shoot in what your comfortable with and what you understand. RAW photos need to be edited and eventually converted to jpeg files, jpegs don’t. You absolutely have more editing options with RAW files. But not all files need editing, personally I think people go into Lightroom and Photoshop and over edit their pictures. It’s like when you go for a haircut and you say take a little off the top and then when they’re done you have no hair left. Another problem with editing is there is NO correct way to edit, you essentially keep adjusting the file until you are happy with the results or till you get bored. Editing is not like a math equation where you keep working until you complete an equation. Some people are naturally good at editing and they enjoy editing files. I personally do not enjoy editing, I enjoy taking pictures. There is no right or wrong here, do what you like, if you want to edit one file all day then do that and be happy. 99% of clients don’t care about jpeg or RAW, they are how they look and if the end result will achieve there goal. I.e. my wife took real estate pictures and help sell the house in one day, the realtor loved the pics. She shot them in jpeg. Could the pictures have come out a little bit better if we shot them in raw? Yes, was it necessary? No, especially for what she was being paid lol.

[@BillEricPhotography]

All good points but I like to shoot in raw! I enjoy editing and I like the extra info I have to edit with but it is another step.

[@jimwlouavl]

Good demonstration. Thanks. Seeing the artifacts in the jpeg really helped me see what I’ve long been told could happen.

[@BillEricPhotography]

You really have to zoom in to see them but they are there. For most people in most situations I don't think it's a big deal.

[@brandonprescott5753]

Since switching to Fuji last year, I only shoot JPEG given that the Fuji JPEGs processed in camera combined with the Fuji film simulations make for excellent photos. Sometimes I may tweak in Lightroom.

[@BillEricPhotography]

Good to know that Fuji jpegs are so good!

[@Edwin1947D]

Those more inclined to use jpegs out of camera with only minor tweaks should consider capturing RAW + jpeg - so for specific images the RAW file is available if the jpeg is more "off" than can be adjusted successfully - kind of gives the best of both worlds.

[@BillEricPhotography]

Totally agree, that's a great way to shoot. Especially if you want to quickly get them out of the camera and onto social media.

[@JET-Photo]

I didn’t start using jpg images until I bought into Fuji. The Fuji cameras process jpgs so well inside the camera with film simulations and in camera tweaks. I still shoot raw too just in case I need the extra editing power. Fuji is about the only system I’ve used that does this well.

[@BillEricPhotography]

Good to know thanks

[@hogynmon]

Good job Eric......it's RAW for me every time, but you've got a valid point for using jpeg's..Each to his own 👍

[@BillEricPhotography]

Exactly right, thanks!

[@guyyowell8547]

Another very informative video Eric! Although I always shoot in RAW, I must say that I am always impressed with the Nikon JPEGs right out of the camera. I experienced this when I first starting shooting with the D850, and the RAW converter wasn’t yet available in Lightroom. I still saved both RAW and JPEG versions of each photo, so later on I was able to edit the RAW files when Lightroom was updated to include the converter although it took some work to get the same image from the RAW file. But I totally agree that when you look closely, there is definitely more detail and better color rendition from the RAW file. Thanks again for the great content.

[@BillEricPhotography]

Thanks Guy! I guess the takeaway here is that if you have to shoot jpeg for some reason it’s no big deal you’re not missing out on that much. I’ll still be shooting raw!

[@paulk329]

Great vlog Eric very interesting comparison between Raw and Jpeg.

[@BillEricPhotography]

Thanks Paul!

[@cpnock]

Thanks, really good informative video. I am a JPEG shooter, i find it easier and to be honest editing to me is something I have to do, but don't enjoy, so its quick and amendments to some templates is my way to go. Have had a go with RAW because its the "right thing" but keep coming back to JPEG.

[@BillEricPhotography]

By shooting jpegs you’re not missing out on much. There’s going to come a point in the future where the jpeg files are as good as the raw, and then you’ll just have a bunch of old-timers sticking to raw because that’s “how it’s done”.

[@BillEricPhotography]

Everyone finds what works for them! But if you ever need to do some really heavy editing raw is definitely the way to go!

[@cpnock]

@@BillEricPhotography Even mobile / cell phones have RAW so someone must think it has a future. Although I think that time is getting closer with the new sensors and processors. Takes you back to home developing (RAW) against taking it down to local shop (JPEG).

[@robertb.3651]

I never shoot RAW because the pics came right out of my camera as i want them to be most of the time. Nikon spend millions to make their JPEGS look great and they did a very good job, at least for me.....

[@BillEricPhotography]

They will look fine in most situations. But if you want to do any advanced editing there's much more information in the raw file.

[@edc5338]

Great video again! I shoot Raw 98% of the time, but if I am doing some family events like parties, etc., I do shoot Jpeg. I may even shoot in Auto for those!😀 I just shot a birthday party with my Sony A6600 in Jpeg in Auto and auto ISO indoors and the pics were at ISO 6400. I was amazed at the quality. I did tweak the WB a bit in LR. I am a Nikon shooter, but the smaller, lighter camera is nice at events like this.

[@BillEricPhotography]

Greet points thanks!

[@bennettalack5234]

What do settings do you recommend for capturing sky detail without losing focus on your subject? Especially when it’s bright?

[@BillEricPhotography]

In that situation I would probably take multiple exposures and then blending them in Lightroom. It's hard to get everything exposed properly in a picture when the sky is bright You need to underexpose to get the sky but then you're subject will be dark.

[@paganphil100]

Anybody here shoot TIFF files?

[@cooloox]

No, but I used to do with my 20D, back in the day. Do you shoot TIFF files?

[@Mr09260]

Jpegs are for Happy Snappers

[@cooloox]

Not really. I shoot raw all the time, but this video demonstrates how versatile JPEGs are too and how they are much closer to raw than one might think. If you make a habit of getting the best possible exposure for the scene and lighting conditions, JPEGs could be perfectly fine in most situations.