Something that often confuses serious amateur photographers as they progress from compact digital cameras, through low-end DSLRs to the Pro choices is whether or not to shoot in RAW. Most Pros will speak of the advantages but the hassle involving in shooting in this format can often seem to be too much a price to pay. Let's discuss why RAW is usually the way to go and when it's not.
It's difficult to justify the time RAW takes. It's not the shooting - most never notice the extra time a camera takes to write RAW to a memory card. It's the post-production. Running the converter to get the JPEGs you need to share with family seems unnecessary. Is it? Couldn't you just shoot JPEG and be done with it?
In its journey from world to lens to memory card, your image normally goes through a fair number of transformations. Once it reaches the mini-processor build in to the camera it's usually converted in to JPEG format. This is a great choice if you don't intent to get creative later. JPEG can be shared with just about everybody.
It's assumed as part of the conversion to JPEG that all editing, color correction and sharpening has been finalized. Based on that assumption there seems no need to keep subtle details - such a shadow detail - as it will never be seen. This is a great assumption if the image is finished but if you decide you want some of it back later - when dodging in Photoshop perhaps - it's gone.
In comparison, RAW format saves everything. This is why the files are so big. All the shadow and highlight detail that was originally captured by the camera's sensor is there - ready to be drawn out if needed. You can work on your images knowing that if you want to try other effects you're not going to be faced with weird JPEG shapes appearing out of the shadows. As Photoshop can import and use all this extra data, you are working with every ounce of detail rather than being disappointed because you can't undo the sharpening or reveal subtle shadow detail.
It's not all a bed of roses though. If you shoot RAW you have to process your images before you can share them. As RAW images are not compressed they take more space on your memory card meaning you can fit on fewer images before it's time to reload. Finally, if taking images in very quick succession is important to you (eg using burst mode at a sports game) then your camera will manage fewer frames if you're shooting RAW.
It's difficult to justify the time RAW takes. It's not the shooting - most never notice the extra time a camera takes to write RAW to a memory card. It's the post-production. Running the converter to get the JPEGs you need to share with family seems unnecessary. Is it? Couldn't you just shoot JPEG and be done with it?
In its journey from world to lens to memory card, your image normally goes through a fair number of transformations. Once it reaches the mini-processor build in to the camera it's usually converted in to JPEG format. This is a great choice if you don't intent to get creative later. JPEG can be shared with just about everybody.
It's assumed as part of the conversion to JPEG that all editing, color correction and sharpening has been finalized. Based on that assumption there seems no need to keep subtle details - such a shadow detail - as it will never be seen. This is a great assumption if the image is finished but if you decide you want some of it back later - when dodging in Photoshop perhaps - it's gone.
In comparison, RAW format saves everything. This is why the files are so big. All the shadow and highlight detail that was originally captured by the camera's sensor is there - ready to be drawn out if needed. You can work on your images knowing that if you want to try other effects you're not going to be faced with weird JPEG shapes appearing out of the shadows. As Photoshop can import and use all this extra data, you are working with every ounce of detail rather than being disappointed because you can't undo the sharpening or reveal subtle shadow detail.
It's not all a bed of roses though. If you shoot RAW you have to process your images before you can share them. As RAW images are not compressed they take more space on your memory card meaning you can fit on fewer images before it's time to reload. Finally, if taking images in very quick succession is important to you (eg using burst mode at a sports game) then your camera will manage fewer frames if you're shooting RAW.
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