When jpegs are better than RAW

[@thisisfrankie]

Finally someone who talks sense when it comes to the importance of JPEGs rather than trashing those who use them and are RAW elitists. Yes, always shoot RAW but sometimes JPEG is the only way to go. Well done mate 👍

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks so much Frankie!! 😁👍

[@MrRensan404]

I try to get my settings right at the start so I prefer JPEGs to RAW. You can still adjust in Lightroom, shots in JPEG to a limited degree. But if settings are right at the start, minor tweaks in Lightroom is enough to produce great photos.

[@kanaadpathak]

This is honestly my new favorite photography channel on KZbin

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks so much Kanaad! 😁👍

[@BGTuyau]

This video presents a fine selection of photographic essentials nicely explained -and as such, it's not only must-viewing for beginning photographers but also offers a useful review for the more experienced.

[@andreazevedo8325]

Hi Mike, hope all is well with you. About your question, for me personally I have started to shoot RAW + JPEG ever since I changed from a DSLR to my Fujifilm XT2 mirrorless câmera... The more I shoot with mirrorless the lesser I use RAW files. Nowadays to be honest I only probably use the RAW file when editing landscape or astrophotography photos. Both with my Fujifilm XT2 and my Olympus em10 mk iii I try and get almost everything right on camera (what you see is what you get with mirrorless) and just do some minor tweaks in either Snapseed or lightroom on the JPEGs. The newer cameras have a great auto white balance and the semi-manual modes work tremendously well in figuring out exposure in my opinion, so seldom rarely I have go get the RAW to edit a photo.

[@mikesphotography]

That's great to hear Andre! You're right, Jpegs have come a long way over the past 10 years and if the light is right and you get the settings right in camera, they will do a perfectly good job. In my latest video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZLThH6Edpedgac at 55seconds, the vertical shot of the lightning was shot as a 6Mp jpeg (I forgot to switch it back to RAW after going through the settings from Jpeg video! 😆)...I was so surprised as to how much detail I could get back in the shadows and highlights ... and also how good it looked on my monitor even though it was only a 6Mp image! It is such a good exercise as well to get it right in camera. THen when you do shoot in RAW, and want to do a heavy edit, you'll have more to work with. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@sarahbatsford4791]

Loving this channel. Was using raw + jpeg but editing raw so why did I need the jpeg? Just put my camera on raw & from this video I can swap when I want!! Many thanks.

[@paulm8157]

Good bundle of info on frequent YT photo topic, Mike. I shoot Raw. Gets complicated w/some cams offering compressed raw, in-cam RAW editing to make JPGs post shoot (Fuji, Nikon) in cam, smartphone cam raw format, etc. (Etc is my cop-out😁 but you get the idea.). More convincing when sporting your trademark t-shirt. Cheers!

[@mikesphotography]

Haha!! I like to be inconspicuous on Thursdays!! 😆 You're right, there are so many different types of the RAW format...I actually forgot to set the camera back to RAW after shooting this video and the portrait orientation image at 55 seconds kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZLThH6Edpedgac in this video was shot as a 6Mp jpeg...it was amazing to see how much detail I could get back from it...not quite as much as the RAW files but I was surprised. I still prefer raw though as sometimes I get lazy behind the camera...😆

[@PrimeMatt]

I'd be really interested to see a properly exposed RAW and JPEG side by side, and edited, to see the real difference when rescuing highlights etc is not an issue. Maybe a couple of different types, landscape, portrait etc

[@mikesphotography]

Hey Matt, that is a great idea! I'd say there probably is very little difference...maybe even get a few different pro photographers to try it as well...🤔 I'll see what I can do...thanks for the great suggestion! 😁👍

[@ekevanderzee9538]

One more possible reason: due to “Exessive tampering” or editing to the point of significantly changing the story, some press offices have started accepting only out of camera .jpgs.

[@mikesphotography]

Most definitely. 👍

[@hurleygreen927]

Many thanks, Mike! I'm a Nikon kind of JPEG guy, but I can also see the advantages of shooting in RAW (like in portraits) although it takes up a lot of space and takes a longer time to download! Again, THANKS for this information...

[@pictureeyecandy]

It all depends on the final use or needs but mostly RAW. Jpeg is like taking your 35mm film and letting a pharmacy develop my photos. I'm not letting the computer (Camera) decide what to delete out to make a smaller file if I can. Raw is like when I did my film in a darkroom I control everything to get the final image that I want.

[@mikesphotography]

That is a good analogy Alvin... and you're right, it all depends on the final use of the photo. However, it is amazing how jpegs have developed over the years...after making this video, I forgot to set my camera back to raw and I was surprised as to how much detail I got back from the shadows and highlights in the jpegs it saved when editing afterwards. I do much prefer raw though, but shooting in Jpeg seems to come down to when people might need a stupidly fast workflow or haven't learned the editing process properly yet. Thanks for watching and thanks for sharing your thoughts, much appreciated 😁👍

[@pictureeyecandy]

@@mikesphotography Thank you for creating good content for us photographers.

[@mikafoxx2717]

True, but for most people, most of the time, the drug store print is enough! And you have the digital negatives you can keep the best shots of if you ever do want to do specific edits for important photos. Jpegs are also basically like slide film.

[@JonDeneweth]

Love this video. I have never heard anyone say what you have. I shoot in JPEG and because of this fact I often wear a paper bag over my head when shooting near other photographers to keep my identity a secret so as to not shame my family, but I may consider taking it off next outing and just refer the bullies to your video. Thanks for the great video!

[@mikesphotography]

Haha!! The paper bag technique is a habit you really need to try and shake...especially when crossing the road! 😆 Send the bullies my way...I'll have a lot of fun with them!! 😁👍 Thanks for watching Jon 😁👍

[@kirkp_nextguitar]

Another great video. I appreciate that shooting RAW is the best way to control the outcome. But I find shooting much more fulfilling than processing and for my style of amateur photography jpeg is usually fine. For high contrast environments I might leave the camera in bracket mode for every shot or occasionally HDR. I know I’m leaving some creative control on the table, but it’s a constraint I can live with most of the time.

[@mikesphotography]

Being behind the camera is much more fun than sitting in front of the computer isn't it...and if you can get it close to right in camera, then that means more time behind the camera!! Great to hear you have a way that works for you!! Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@stephenwoodburn2970]

I have been shooting JPEG/RAW for a while now. When I see a photo that I really want to play with as far as editing. I edit the RAW. As always, great content, Mike. I hope you guys are doing well.

[@mikesphotography]

Great to hear Stephen! It's always good to have the RAW so when you do want to get heavy with the editing, the info is there. We're all good thanks...got a new style of video coming out this thursday as well so it'll be interesting to see what you think! 😁👍

[@onikaimu]

Great video, Mike. Speed is the main thing here. I am glad you mentioned about press photos. Many times with me they care more about the photo getting to them quickly and not that one tiny piece of it being perfectly exposed. This was the first thing I learned, each place wants something different, and most know what to do with jpegs. All computers will open it, so both the editors and the graphic designers can view it. Stay safe.

[@mikesphotography]

Exactly, it's down to speed and accessibility! 😁👍

[@revolverocelot2063]

Could u make a video one taking moon photography with just manual mount that would be helpful for the people who doesn't have trackers and all those stuffs.please

[@mikesphotography]

I'll see what I can do. 😁👍

[@donlindgren109]

Though I shoot in “both” I use jpeg as a backup and work with the RAW image, then when done delete the jpegs. That said, you’ve tempted me to experiment with seeing what I can get out of jpeg, just to expand my horizons. The secondary step of editing RAWs can be onerous.

[@mikesphotography]

It is interesting to shoot in Jpegs to see how they come out. After shooting this video, I forgot to switch my camera back to RAW and I was surprised with the results. In my latest video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZLThH6Edpedgac at 55 seconds, the portrait oriented shot was a 6Mp image and it came out surprisingly well. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@nigelchase2407]

Very well said.

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks Nigel! 😁👍

[@MrStickyGroove]

Awesome Foo Fighters shirt....... great video too!!!!

[@mikesphotography]

Haha! Thanks very much!! ... and thanks for watching 😁👍

[@8372190]

Thanks for an honest and thorough video. Personally, I’ve quit shooting in RAW quite a while back because I’m colour blind and too often my results were often much worst that a JPEG :-)

[@thomaslavery5168]

Thank you Mike , nice video . I usually shoot both . And the reason is if I shoot a hundred pictures only about five , get a full processing. And the other 95 leave them as jpegs.

[@mikesphotography]

That's a good point about shooting in both. You have the data for the good ones and the jpegs for the others...another way to save on HD space. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@SilverFlint247]

I used to shoot 100% JPEG when I was using my a6000. Now that I have an a7c and after binge watching your tutorials for a while, I switched to raw and jpeg. Once I learn to edit better, I might switch to raw only.

[@mikesphotography]

Great to hear!! It is well worth shooting in both if you can. When you get that amazing photo you want to process even more, you'll be glad you had the RAW files! Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@danjatau4379]

In fear of not getting it right in camera I tend to understand exposed by a stop or stop and a half..is it better to be a stop over or a stop under when shooting on manual mode? Like your photo tips..

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks Dan, I tend to shoot a little under exposed as well. I'll go between a 3rd under to -1.3 when shooting in aperture priority ... and in manual mode, I'll get it under a little as well. It's a good was to protect the highlights. However, when the dynamic range of the frame is low it is better to bring it back up to get a brighter shot. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@danjatau4379]

@@mikesphotography thanks ..appreciated

[@mihaidavid359]

As i only shoot mountain landscapes i use RAW.If someone need a image fast i can just export from camera as a JPEG. Sony cameras have a pretty decent phone transfer app called Imaging Edge Mobile. Good old Sony a5100 + Sigma 16mm 1.4 here :)

[@mikesphotography]

Great to hear what you use Mihai! RAW files are great for landscapes, especially when the dynamic range is big! And you're right about the mobile app, it is an easy way to quickly transfer your images to your phone. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@ThomasS17]

I was surprised that the creative styles don't look more different then they do. Watching it on my phone, I could barely notice much of a difference in most of them.

[@hakansoydan4832]

Wtf ı was so fucking confused when ı saw this comment couse ı don't remember writing it fkddkdksk nice profile pick bro 👍😊

[@mikesphotography]

Haha!! Maybe you have a conscientious hacker that just likes to help you with your comments!? 🤔😆 It is amazing how close the creative styles are...but then shows how crazy some phone apps have gone with filters!! Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@mizo8081]

Please make an FTP video!! Much love from Canada

[@mikesphotography]

It's in the making...I'm filming it today...hopefully for release next week!! 😁👍

[@XVIIsionsProductions]

I have one camera and one lens. Sony a6400 APS-C sensor and a Tamron 18-300mm. I use Raw 99% of the time especially when I know my lighting is going to be good. I use JPEG when it’s going to be super dark and I know my camera/lens cannot expose raw without a lot of noise and grain. Idk why exactly but when I use JPEG on my camera with my lens setup in low light and I really get it dialed in I can ALWAYS expose for the shot with minimal grain and noise VS Raw. Raw may have more “detail” but it always seems to have wayyyy more noise when properly exposed in low light vs proper exposure in low light in RAW. It makes post easier with low light shots and perhaps I’m doing it wrong but I can’t seem to get the RAW noise to disappear as well as the JPEG. However I can’t create a massively different look with a JPEG so it’s kind of what you see is what you get but it has less noise 🤷🏻‍♂️ That’s my 2 cents haha I love raw and I use it for damn near everything, it’s amazing, but man the camera is so dang good at getting rid of noise if properly exposed in JPEG.

[@geraldenright9845]

I was shooting JPEG+RAW but then I Switched to raw only because in my workload I usually transfer images to my phone in doing so, the RAW is converted to JPEG anyway. So the quick sharing you mentioned seems to not need a JPEG copy in camera. The question remains, is a JPEG from a RAW different from capturing a JPEG? I have not tested this.

[@mikesphotography]

That's a good point Gerald. I think it is pretty much the same ... unless you use the FTP system properly so you get the full resolution from the camera. I'm going to do a video on this soon as it is a really good way of transfering either RAW or jpegs across to your phone, and not just the small previews created by the camera. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@geraldenright9845]

@@mikesphotography awaiting the vid

[@carolynvines2027]

I always shoot in RAW. Now I'm considering shooting in both, especially for any sort of event or social gathering; so I can save my editing efforts only for my best shots, and quickly share some of the best jpeg images.

[@mikesphotography]

Jpegs do come in handy when you get it right in camera. I often shoot in jpeg say for sports in good lighting conditions, have the FTP setup so the camera is sending the jpegs over to my phone or tablet, and then I can show the athletes the photos straight away. It is a really useful function and with jpegs, it really does make it easy and quick...I do shoot in both as well though...just so I have the RAW as a backup. 😁👍

[@carolynvines2027]

@@mikesphotography While I learned about ftp in web design classes, I know nothing about using it to send images from my camera to my phone. That's something I'd definitely like to learn. First, I'll have to see if my Canon T3i is capable.

[@bioliv1]

I got a Fujifilm X-T200 to shoot my family in jpeg, just learned the camera, and will soon get a 27 mm pancake lens for it. Too Gordon Laing only shoots in jpeg, even for landscapes!

[@mikesphotography]

They have come a long way in the past 10 years! I shot the vertical image in my latest video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZLThH6Edpedgac at 55 seconds in ... and was surprised as to how well it came out. 😁👍

[@ThepPixel]

And for FUJI shooters If youre NEVER shooting jpegs, youre missing out on a HUGE perk of the brand. Give them a go :)

[@joshnnik]

100% jpeg, life’s too short to being sat in doors tweaking RAW files for minimal gains on pictures that few people will notice the differences.

[@mikesphotography]

Haha!! That's a great way to look at it!! A lot of photographers (including myself) have become computer nerds over the past 20 years since digital!! 😆🤦🏻‍♂️ It's much better to be behind the camera rather than in-front of the computer! 😁👍

[@joshnnik]

@@mikesphotography Thanks Mike, my comment was a little bit tongue in cheek 😉 I sometimes give my jpegs a simple tweak on the laptop for light and cropping. We all want to show the best results, it’s personal pride at the end of the day!

[@TVe200]

I always use auto white balance, maybe I should not. I only use RAW and never video. It is seldom that changing white balance in Lightroom improve the picture.

[@mikesphotography]

Auto white balance has come a long way in the past few years. I'm so used to fixing it to the daylight setting and then changing it when I need to...maybe I should try auto white balance instead. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@ryclarkmediaarts8845]

Always prefer RAW but when i did events i would do jpg+raw

[@mikesphotography]

When the lighting conditions are tricky and I'm having to capture those fleeting moments, RAW definitely helps...especially when I'm feeling lazy with the settings!! 😆

[@juliangang8690]

I shoot in JPEG, when purchasing my camera I figured the glass was the most important feature!...Julian

[@andrewgynn2252]

Always interesting i shoot jpeg all the time dose the job for me .

[@mikesphotography]

Great to hear Andrew! 😁👍

[@ConsoleAuthority]

Awsommeeeee video

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks very much! 😁👍

[@gkarmakar225]

Both

[@mikesphotography]

😁👍

[@barrynoon1812]

As i primarily shoot landscapes I only shoot in RAW

[@mikesphotography]

RAW is fantastic for landscapes, especially when the dynamic range is huge. 👍

[@barrynoon1812]

@@mikesphotography I agree. The Sony A7iii has a terrific dynamic range and is probably one the best cameras I’ve ever owned. Really enjoy your vlogs😎👍

[@rameshvirat8320]

Good morning sir How much sharpness choose JPEG files in standard mode

[@mikesphotography]

I have it set to 0 in my A7iii, this seems fine for my needs. 😁👍

[@gkarmakar225]

Good morning sir❤️❤️❤️👍🙏

[@mikesphotography]

Good morning! 👍

[@Lordvader330]

I shoot in raw 90% of the time. And 100% with certain cameras. I will work on my skills from time to time and just shoot in JPEG.

[@mikesphotography]

Great to hear! 😁👍

[@hurleygreen927]

SECOND COMMENT: These days everyone takes pics with theri Smartphones including selfies: Is their picture quality equal to JPEGs?

[@mikesphotography]

They are pretty much like jpegs... but slightly lower quality as the sensors are tiny in those cameras. Thanks for watching 👍

[@valvelifter1951]

Interesting that you title the video with JPEG in lower case when in fact it's an acronym (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and you capitalise raw when in fact it's an adjective, i.e. it means unprocessed data or raw data. (As no doubt you are well aware). You probably think I'm being pedantic but when I see new photographers discussing how to set the white balance in camera for raw images (for example) it shows how much confusion there is about raw files (notice I said 'files' not images). Raw files are not images and cannot be viewed until some fundamental processing has been executed by raw processing software, (for example demosaicing). Your videos are excellent by and large but if you are going to compare shooting JPEG images with raw data files, surely it would be best to start by explaining exactly what a raw file is and why it needs a totally different approach to photography?

[@mikesphotography]

Thanks for your feedback Valvelifter.