RAW Vs Jpeg - EVERYTHING You Need To Know

At one time or another, we all face the dilemma – RAW or Jpeg? Have you ever found yourself wondering if you’re shooting the best format for your work? Do you really know the advantages and disadvantages of each format?

In this video, we'll have a RAW vs jpeg shootout! By the end you'll really know the differences between RAW and Jpeg ad which is right for your photography.

Enjoy!

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[patricksmith]

I used to only shoot JPEG, from 1999 to 2016 thats all I ever shot, unless asked to shoot RAW by a client. However I finally realized that I was wrong, even though I don't have much regret I am glad that I finally saw the light. See I'm a photojournalist and am I long time, experienced professional with a lot of years under my belt and had some of the top photographers in the world as mentors. I have been published in everything from the LA Times to Sports Illustrated on multiple occasions, along with many others. Although I can and do get it right in camera almost all the time, I now see advantages of shooting RAW and the advantages are WAY bigger than I had thought for many, many years. So I'm the first person to admit I was wrong about JPEG being enough for me, and I am also the first to admit that pretty much everyone, except journalists like myself, should shoot RAW. Even now a lot of the time when on assignment I shoot RAW+JPEG. This allows me to quickly get the images out to an editor while still having the RAW files just in case. However I would say that I do highly recommend 12bit RAW to most people, unless your a landscape photographer or something to the effect and need the absolute most dynamic range and color info. If your like me and shoot action or wildlife, there is just no reason to shoot 14bit in my opinion. It's pretty much impossible to see any noticeable difference, but for most cameras there is a difference in buffer space like Steve said, so thats huge to me, especially on my two D4s's, which is where there is a noticeable difference in buffer. On a D5, D850 or D500 there is less of a buffer reason to shoot 12bit, but for me it's more than just buffer, I just can't see a noticeable difference between the two and trust me I've tried and I have 20-10 vision, which is world class eyesight. So if someone like me with better than "perfect" vision can't see the difference I have a hard time believing those who say they can. Now this is just visual, I get that math is math and more info is more info.

[jeffb]

Excellent explanation and I totally agree on the value of RAW over JPG. As someone who grew up with 35mm film and getting prints from the drugstore, I was told that shooting only JPG or deleting the RAW image is almost the same as throwing the negatives in the trash. You'll never get that information back.

[chrishayes]

Following Steve is like signing up for a very complete and complex tutorial, but one that made simple by a great teacher. i bought all his books, viewed all his videos, many multiple times, and even sent donations above the buying of the books, which i fully recommend getting. I even listened to his blogs, the only blogs i have ever listened to.

[alfadoctor]

Every beginner should see this video. Your side-by-side comparison is an excellent way to show the difference. The only argument I could see that a beginner would be able to say is that using .jpg/.jpeg is that they do not have to use a software program to adjust their images. They would be fine to use right out of the camera. I checked my Nikon's and have them dialed in just like yours.

[nikonian]

Amazing tutorial! Thank you the reason why I bought Steve’s books which are great!

[michaelthomas]

Steve, just watched this video, and it is the best explanation of the difference between JPeg vs RAW images and the limitations in processing the images; excellent video.

[ionutvlad]

Very, very, very nice! Steve is that kind of person who knows not only how, but also why. He knows what is happening behind the hood, the rear engineering. And, a very important thing, he can speak very easily about all of this, he is able to present this complexity in a very simple way, understandable, almost for everyone! This is a great quality. Steve, you are a real teacher!

[ShaneBaker]

Thanks Steve - yet another clear explanation.
If I may suggest another analogy: to my mind, shooting JPEG is like getting a print from a mini lab and then throwing away the negative. You'll always have more options with a negative than a print!

[adibee]

Steve,
I'm a foto Newbie (One year shooting this month's end), I'm stoked to have YOU as my PMI (Primary Marksmanship Instructor) sooner rather than later!

No doubt it takes a gifted individual to know these specifically-taught subjects' complexities, reformat the info, then using every relevant medium, make fun lessons, have me anxiously waiting to both practice the newly- taught material, and watch/learn the NEXT lesson!

I'm also VERY grateful I've subscribed to your channel, it's my ONE STOP SHOP! I get awesome fotogrăfē lessons, while simultaneously developing proficiency & understanding with my newly-acquired Nikon D7000 (previous models used: Canon SX50hs>D3000>D5000).

Your Channel and Content are the BEST for Nikon Shooters!
Please keep up the HARD but AMAZING wurk you do!

[MissLiveLaughLove]

I began shooting RAW since 2013 when I was enrolled in a photography program at a local college. I already know the difference between RAW and Jpeg yet I am here watching your tutorial simply because I appreciate your teaching style.

[hermansurkis]

With all the ranting, did I happen to mention that I really enjoy your tutorials, and that you are my must recommended site? Even for none critter shooters.

[wilburwb]

That was, by far, the best explanation I've seen of the difference between raw and jpeg. Well done...

[andyml]

Steve, thanks SO much for the best explanation of the subject I’ve come across - very much appreciated :)

[danw]

Steve, that was an outstanding presentation! Simple and to the point. It just does not get any better. Thanks!

[JohanSchmidt]

JPEG is great for sports after setting WB and using a lightmeter for accurate exposure (wire services often require max 3Mb files), whereas for people, landscapes RAW is the way to go imo. Thanks for another informative video Steve!👍🏻

[rauwolfgang]

Hello, this is one of the best comparison between RAW and JPEG I've ever seen. Thanks!

[MotoDocADV]

My God! This is a gold mine. So much to learn here at your channel. Thanks for breaking down efficiently.

[dh]

Clear, concise and great explanation. I just recently switched to RAW and what a difference the post-editing makes. Looking at older jpegs and realize that I am stuck. I still have older transparencies and starting to rescan some of these to see if there is a difference in RAW scan and Jpeg scan. Thanks again for your great effort in demystifying these topics that you tackle.

[kontrolla]

I have been shooting RAW only for the last 4 years and I love how much I can improve my photos in post processing. I also love the LEGO analogy you used to explain what you are losing with JPEG's - brilliant way to put across a difficult concept. Thanks Steve for another top notch video. Stay safe.

[matthewbell]

Great work Steve, another top quality explanation. Your videos are keeping me going during self isolation many thanks!