I first started shooting in RAW a little over a year ago, mostly because I should. What was understood in theory, however, took time to be grasped in reality.
At first, Lightroom stacked the JPG and RAW files on top of each other. The JPG (which is what you see on the back of your camera) is what I saw when initially viewing the image in Lightroom. Seconds later it looked like it had been whacked with an uglify filter: the RAW file was “showing.”
I was horrified. Why was I shooting RAW when it looked so icky?
Once I learned how to separate the two files (this is one of many areas where I am thankful for the guidance of Alan Hess, a generous and invaluable friend), my instinct was to still edit the JPG. Its starting point usually looked closer to the end result I sought, plus it was familiar ground after shooting in JPG only for so long.
(If your RAW files are being stacked upon import in Lightroom, go to Lightroom> Preferences> General tab, and check the box that says “Treat JPEG files next to RAW files as separate photos.”)
I usually apply one of Matt Kloskowski’s Nikon Auto Enhance Presets when importing RAW files, which dispels some of the initial blahs and gets me to a better starting point. Most images need increased exposure and contrast (lovin’ that new Lightroom tone curve, too).
There’s just so much more data to work with in the RAW file. While I always grasped that in theory, time has proven the benefit and the need of it, like this past weekend in Hilton Head.
Photography on the beach is a tricky thing! Shooting wide open, which is my norm, results in blown out photos. I’ve heard to dial down your exposure compensation for snow, but maybe it’s a good idea for sun and sand, too. 🙂
As you can see in this unedited (except for that Auto Enhance import preset) photo of Holley and Stephanie, the JPG has almost no detail (ISO 200, f/4.5, 1/250th of a second, if you’re interested).
In the RAW, however, it’s there: sand, water, sky. That file has so many more possibilities.
I’m shooting RAW + JPG, which eats up a lot of memory on my external drives. For photos that will only be used in a blog post, the JPG is often just right and I’ll use it as-is or with minor tweaks. If I’m really going after a file though, it almost always occurs with the RAW image now.
What about you? Do you shoot JPG? RAW? Both?
(or are you saying, “What is she talking about?” which I totally get, too) 😉
Just happened to catch your post and wanted to provide you with some quick tips:
1. Download the Free “Instant JPEG from RAW Utility” http://www.rawworkflow.com/instant-jpeg-from-raw-utility/ Every RAW image has a JPEG preview inside it. You can then avoid shooting RAW+JPEG saving card space.
2. Use Lightroom’s Camera Calibration panel to set your preferred camera profile preset. As you discovered, a RAW image is like developing film yourself in the darkroom, JPEGs are like picking up finished prints from the drugstore. Because of RAW’s unprocessed state, you get to determine everything in post–hence the ugly. You can give your RAW images a preferred baseline starting point (make it more JPEG like) with import presets.
RAW files certainly have distinct advantages over JPEG, but the file format alone shouldn’t be the deciding factor in which you choose. I enjoy the headroom RAW gives me to play, but JPEG is good at making you more disciplined in camera.
When I first got my camera, I tried shooting RAW but I didn’t have program to open the files! Still need to get photoshop.
Wasn’t convinced UNTIL this post! Now…we need tips on how to store them! Don’t they take up so much more room? Can I edit a RAW file in Elements? I have so many questions.
A.J., I really want that Instant JPEG from RAW Utility! I remember now that someone else had told me about it, only it’s not compatible with my operating system (Snow Leopard). Is there another comparable product available?
I shoot in JPEG only. I’ve considered RAW, but have not even tried it. If I did, I wouldn’t know what on earth to do with it. I’d probably have to buy a book or something. LOL!! I also don’t have Lightroom, so whatever I did, it would have to be in CS3.
I’d also probably have to go buy another external hard drive. And more memory cards. Sigh.
Alli, yes, you’re right — got to have a program that will work with the RAW files.
Rebekah, I don’t know about Elements. You might have to Google that. 🙂
Yes, they take up a lot of room. I’ve quit storing photos on my computer’s hard drive. I have two external drives for photos, one for my Lightroom catalog and all of my originals, and a second for the backup copies.
Dianne, I feel your pain. It took me a lot of convincing, and I really didn’t get it for awhile. I use the RAW files a lot now. I’m sure you could import them fine and work in Camera Raw with CS3.
since i got my 40d, i at first thought it only shot in raw or jpeg + raw which i hated because who needs duplicate copies. so i got used to shooting in raw and opening them in bridge. now that i found how i can switch to shooting to jpeg only, i shoot jpeg for everyday snapshots and raw when i’m working with clients or doing photos i know i’ll want to work with later of my kids and family.
I started shooting RAW when I got my new 50D and let me say it was a big mistake to try a new camera and RAW at the same time. I was SO disappointed with my images and that “ugly” result and blamed it on my new camera! It wasn’t until later I realized this was how RAW files come out and it wasn’t that my new camera was a big dud. 🙂 Now that my hard drive is full of RAW images, I’m trying to shoot JPEG for snapshots and RAW for sessions.
Raw. Only.
The editing flexibility is the biggest advantage to me. A JPEG will degrade much more than a raw file with the same amount of tonal and other adjustments.
With a raw file you’re getting 12-14 bits of information per pixel, whereas with JPEG you’re getting just 8.
Raw rules. JPEG is an output file format, not an input format, in my not-so-humble opinion. (Most of my opinions are humble, but not this one.)
–Jaddie
I did RAW+JPG for a while but it took up too much space on my computer and annoyed me to see duplicates of the same image. 🙂 I do see the need for RAW… I think I’ll follow Melissa’s advice!
Okay, Dawn, I shot a few photos in RAW (they take up too much memory card space!). Now I need to go play with them. I figured I’d take it slowly and just shoot a small amount of pictures and them see what I could do. All thanks to your encouragement. 🙂