Digital Photography 1 on 1: Episode 39: Understanding RAW Files

This week Mark Wallace explains the difference between RAW and JPEG. There's no right or wrong answer to the question "should I shoot RAW or JPEG?" but Mark will help explain the advantages of each format.

[itsjessyforreal]

Extremely simple and competent explanation. Other videos were just confusing and argued about what was better instead of just supplying the facts. Great objective approach. Thanks for the help!!!

[evilsonic]

Amazing explanation! Now I can really see advantages and disadvantages of both raw and jpeg!

[visionaguilar]

Thanks Mark, very clear explanation. As a beginner I mostly shot in jpeg because I wanted to learn to tweak various "ingredients" on my dlsr. Now I begin to appreciate the power of raw. Especially helpful for me was your explanation about the depth of brightness range of raw, and also how post production differ in raw.

[johnc]

Hi Mark;
Your video series is a treasure. Thank you and Adorama for posting the series.
I am just getting started with Lightroom 4 now. The Lightroom series that you created are so very helpful to know before launching Lightroom.

[etx]

Thanks. My language is Spanish, but my English is very technical for my work. Your explanations are very clear and well understood. You're a great person. I learned a lot. Thanks again.

[prestonlhouse]

Thanks for the explanation! It explains things very clearly as to when you shoudl shoot which format.

[masonkim]

wow.

blown away by your technical knowledge and presentation.

thank you from Korea.

[TaurusPresents]

Hi Mark,
Your vids are great!!!
Your explanations are very clear and a great help to work on a higher level.
Thank you.

[Ymki]

Thanks Mark, that was a great video explanation of both files. I've started to shoot in RAW files and I'm loving it but one more Cons about Raw files is taking to much space on the memory card, that's why i'm getting a bigger size compact flash and a little bit faster.

[sevenmediainc]

GREAT VIDEO HANDS DOWN!! I never understood what RAW file was. but now i do!

[fazmanicg]

One other thing about Shooting RAW. After shooting a frame, the raw data is also converted to jpeg for your LCD screen. When you look at the LCD, you are actually looking at a jpeg version. Your RAW file may look different when viewing it on your computer.

[acroduster]

RAW rules, though I do take simultaneous jpg's as I shoot. another great video mark, rock on and keep doing what you are doing.

[dindi]

heyy mark, you are the best!!! thanks for all your videos

[frankline]

Great lesson lots of plain speaking and easiliy understood..thankyou

[spongebens]

Great explanation. I understand the advantages of RAW and all that (I shoot in RAW sometimes), but the RAW and JPEG comparisons are a little unfair because the JPEGs are set to black & white in-camera--you most definitely cannot adjust the colors on that!

[Cabe_]

best explanation for raw files! thanks a lot!

[moonfiremagic]

Very helpful and well explained video. Thanks.

[AlfabetSoop]

@MidnightDazzle What lenses do you have? If you're going to be shooting far off action, you're going to want a good zoom lens (150 to 300mm), whereas if you're wanting to take pictures of full landscapes you'll want wide-angle lenses (15 to 40mm).

[burris]

Thank you!!!! You explain it so well!!

[lakhera]

Just one word for you Mark "genius"