What format do you save your images in and why?

[rlopez]

Just wanted to pick some of the brains here. I have seen where some say RAW, etc.

Currently because I am fairly new, I currently have my Nikon D90 at JPEG with the settings of fine and Large.

What is the reason I would want to save in RAW? Advantages? Also is the post-editing more difficult when in the raw format? Does PSE accept RAW format?

I also wanted to get opinions on Photoshop elements 8. thoughts on this. My wife got it as it was not as much as Photoshop, but obviously may not have all the bells and whistles.

I have attached some recent shots from this weekend's snow in Atlanta, GA.

Thanks,

Robert

[sorted]

Hi Robert

Lovely shots, I have photoshop Elements 7 and raw can be used no problem with it,
As for why you would save in JPEG (I think no expert on this by the way!) is the files are smaller.
I have always found converting Raw to JPEG lost some of the clarity but maybe that is something I done wrong?
I must admit someone will have all the knowledge you want out there.
Have you tried the foum putting in RAW ? JPEG Etc might be on there by Admin?

Always learning myself so hopefully learn more through your asking.

Enjoy your new Camera:)

[Kaye]

Really nice series of shots here Robert, and welcome to the forum.

I wish you well with your Nikon D90 which is probably top of my list for purchase in the near future I hope.

I'm from Sydney, so don't get the chance to take lovely snow shots like this. (It's summer here, and we have had a very hot one, many days around 35 to 40degC) .

The "Raw" deal, I will leave to the professionals in this field.

Good luck.

[DoctorJazz]

Hi Robert,

I think one advantage to saving RAW files is that you have more options with an image if you decide down the road that you want to print enlargements, etc.
without losing quality of the image.

You don't always know at the time you first take the pics what you will want to do
with them later. This way there is no problem, although the RAW images require
a little more editing as opposed to shooting in JPEG. I still think it is worth the
little extra time it takes adjusting the image.

[DoctorJazz]

Robert,

Check out the thread from 11/9/09......"Shooting in Raw"".....excellent informative
discussion there with many comments from the pro's.

[rlopez]

Thanks will do. I checked before I posted this and must have missed it. Is it under this topic or where? I did a search for it and couldn't find it

[DoctorJazz]

Robert,

You can find it in the Beginner's category with last post on 12/17......this
discussion goes back to 11/09.

[coffee]

HI Robert, and welcome. When one get's real serious and particular about how their images are presented, chances are they look into RAW, and start shooting in RAW full time. There are many reasons for this.

Larger files, better quality, No compression, Images can be 'fixed' in ways which would be very difficult without the raw sensor data, You get the full range of data from the sensor, Without sharpening or compression you have not 'lost' any data, many more benefits. There are some drawbacks too, but all of those can be overcome in many ways.

Here is a good article that explains it better than me. Happy reading.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/raw.htm

[jerryph]

When I started, I shot JPG. After learning a little more, I started shooting in RAW. As I advance more, I now only shoot in 14-bit uncompressed RAW.

If one does a search on the internet, there are hundreds of articles that explain why it is smarter to shoot in RAW vs any other format, but for me, the bottom line fact is that I can always take the photo with the highest amount of data (a RAW file) and create a high quality JPG, however, if I have taken a shot with a medium or small JPG, I can never create a large high quality file.

In short, one can go smaller from a big file, but one can *never* go bigger from a smaller file and retain quality.

[mrdoug]

In short, one can go smaller from a big file, but one can *never* go bigger from a smaller file and retain quality.

B I N G O !

I'll never shoot in RAW - period. It's all about QUALITY

[jerryph]

B I N G O !

I'll never shoot in RAW - period. It's all about QUALITY

I think you have it backwards... lol RAW is the best format to shoot in if maximum quality is what you are after. :)

[mrdoug]

H O L Y - C R A P, B A T M A N !
...in anything BUT RAW format. Thanks for spotting that, Jerry!

[jerryph]

lol... minor typo, but I wanted to make sure you were good, which I now see you were from the start. :)