Jpeg/Raw

[The Chiller]

Hi All
I have had my D90 a few weeks now (practise, practise) I got the book Understanding Exposure last week so I have been taking Jpeg pictures in manual mode. When should I try Raw ? What is it difference ?
Many Thanks
Gary

 

[Mark G]

When you take a photo in jpg you can view it straight away without needing any sort of image editing software.'the camera saves it as a photograph ready for printing.

When you take a photo in RAW you need to run the shot through some editing software like photoshop, elements or nikons own version. It gives you greater possibilities when it comes to editing the shot as you can change things like White balance, brightness, sharpness, lens corrections and the list goes on.

RAW is a great tool for giving your shots the edge over jpg, but it will take time to learn how to use it to the best advantage. I'd recommend searching YouTube for raw editing videos, there must be some on there and it would give you a good idea of where to start.

If it helps at all, I shoot RAW and fine jpg on my D90. I view the jpgs and delete any I don't like and then if I think I'll print or display an image I will process it from the RAW file.

Mark

 

[Mark G]

I just re-read my post and should clarify that if you shoot just in RAW you will still get an image review on the camera, when you load the files onto the pc you will not be able to view the thumbnails as they just display as in icon (unless you view them in adobe bridge or similar).

 

[The Chiller]

Thanks very much for the quick and informative reply Mark.

 

[lensflair]

I just re-read my post and should clarify that if you shoot just in RAW you will still get an image review on the camera, when you load the files onto the pc you will not be able to view the thumbnails as they just display as in icon (unless you view them in adobe bridge or similar).

I think you should be able to view thumbnails of raw files on a pc if you download the right raw codec thingy. On a mac you can view RAW files as thumbnails or large previews up to full screen in your folders. Of course you need to convert to jpg or another format to print and view online.

 

[dejongj]

I just re-read my post and should clarify that if you shoot just in RAW you will still get an image review on the camera, when you load the files onto the pc you will not be able to view the thumbnails as they just display as in icon (unless you view them in adobe bridge or similar).

I think you should be able to view thumbnails of raw files on a pc if you download the right raw codec thingy. On a mac you can view RAW files as thumbnails or large previews up to full screen in your folders. Of course you need to convert to jpg or another format to print and view online.

As lensflair says, just make certain you have the right raw processor installed and you can see them just fine on a PC. Did that 7 years ago so would be surprised if that is no longer possible in current versions.

On a Mac it is fully integrated in the OS, you don't have to do anything special to view, print or do whatever. iPhoto comes as standard with ALL Macs and can take care of most. But Apple's Aperture which is only £45 from the AppStore is absolutely brilliant. No need to convert to JPG ever, the Apple Media Browser as part of the OS takes care of everything and together with spotlight technology it ensures full integration including searching on meta data.

There really is no difference except for the advanced abilities and having a true negative, in how it handles it compared to JPG. So in my opinion shoot in RAW now.

PS. Other apple devices like the iPad with camera connection kit and iPhone all show RAW natively. And integration via iTunes to devices like Apple TV will automatically convert RAW to ensure you don't have to manual create all those duplicates.

 

[arclight]

When you take a photo in jpg you can view it straight away without needing any sort of image editing software.'the camera saves it as a photograph ready for printing.

When you take a photo in RAW you need to run the shot through some editing software like photoshop, elements or nikons own version. It gives you greater possibilities when it comes to editing the shot as you can change things like White balance, brightness, sharpness, lens corrections and the list goes on.

RAW is a great tool for giving your shots the edge over jpg, but it will take time to learn how to use it to the best advantage. I'd recommend searching YouTube for raw editing videos, there must be some on there and it would give you a good idea of where to start.

If it helps at all, I shoot RAW and fine jpg on my D90. I view the jpgs and delete any I don't like and then if I think I'll print or display an image I will process it from the RAW file.

Mark

I opt to shoot RAW and a low resolution jpeg simulataneously. The downloaded NEF's have the jpeg thumbnail beside them which can be viewed full screen by clicking on it. From that I make a decision whether to open the NEF in PSE for processing or to discard it there and then.