The zeal and enthusiasm of newbie photographers are inspiring. But sometimes, the lack of knowledge and experience can become a hurdle in the path of their success. Are you going through a similar phase? Don’t worry! We are here to help you.
One of the hardest decisions for beginner photographs is the choice of RAW vs. JPEG. Both of these formats have their own pros and cons. Let’s find out.
Shooting RAW
A RAW image is an extensive collection of uncompressed data. It is like having raw ingredients for a pizza while JPEG is boxed frozen pizza. You can make better pizza with the RAW ingredients, but the frozen one (JPEG) is definitely convenient. Now, to become a professional chef, err, photographer, you need RAW.
You cannot view the raw photograph instantly. Instead, you have to process it through a computer.
None of its features are auto-adjusted. The brightness, exposure, white balance, vignette, and every other aspect of editing are in your hand. You can change it as you wish.
RAW images might give you ease of editing, but they require special software to view and edit them. They are large in size, and you might need extra storage. For that extra storage, you can use image hosting platforms like ImageCoast.
The camera settings that are applied while shooting a RAW capture are also not imprinted on it. Instead, they appear on a sidebar, and you can change them.
Shooting JPEG
Unlike RAW images, JPEG images are a form of compressed data. The camera settings imprint some particular type of information on these images, such as color and exposure. These features don’t appear on the sidebar and can’t be undone.
The greatest advantage of JPEG images is that you can view them on camera. You don’t need to process them for viewing and special storage to store them. As auto-grading is already done, JPEG images look nicer without any editing.
Moreover, for high-speed burst shots, most cameras handle JPEG faster than RAW.
RAW vs. JPEG, What to Choose?
RAW or JPEG, both formats are worth a try. As a beginner photographer, concentrate on your needs.
If you want to experiment with different kinds of editing, go for RAW images. It is because they allow you to split your creativity on the canvas of your photography. Also, they have a better quality compared to JPEG.
However, if your convenience is more important and you cannot devote much time to editing, go for JPEG format. Consequently, you have to compromise image quality and your editing preferences.
Bottom Line
Every photographer has to initiate by choosing one of these formats. Whether you are choosing RAW or JPEG, all you need is passion. Rather than taking advice from others, evaluate your photography preferences and choose according to your comfort.