What is the RAW format and what is it used for? RAW format: what is it. RAW or JPEG which is better? E4 your photo select file


As a result of shooting in Raw format, there are fewer images on the flash card, and more time has to be spent on processing. So why then do almost all professional photographers prefer to shoot in this format? Below you'll find answers to 8 frequently asked questions about shooting in Raw by newbies.

1. What is Raw?

So, let's look at the pros and cons. Essentially, Raw is just a file format, and its digital alternative is JPEG. Capability is a significant advantage of digital SLR cameras, as well as expensive compact cameras.

2. What are the main advantages of Raw over JPEG?

The Raw file, as its name suggests (translated from English as raw), stores the data received from the camera matrix in its raw, unprocessed form. This has a lot of benefits in terms of photo quality and post-processing.

Many people perceive Raw files as the digital equivalent of an old-fashioned film negative. This “modern negative” stores a large amount of information that is available in the “digital darkroom”, i.e. in appropriate computer programs intended for editing.

The raw file gives you all the original data, the settings of which you can later change without losing image quality. You can adjust sharpness, contrast, white balance and even exposure after you've shot the footage, which is the beauty of the Raw format.

3. Shouldn't these settings be set directly during shooting?

Some old-timers might object, but in my opinion, the beauty of digital photography is that it gives us the ability to control so much more.

Thanks to the Raw format, you can adjust color, contrast, brightness, shadows, and all this will not affect the quality in any way. Therefore, every good photographer should take full advantage of such opportunities.

With Raw, you can either save an almost hopeless shot or simply adjust basic settings.

4. Are there any other advantages to the Raw format?

Yes. It captures more information. JPEG is an 8-bit image with a value for each of the three basic colors (red, green, blue) from 00000000 to 11111111.

For those who are not familiar with the binary code system, this means that a JPEG contains 256 different values ​​for each color channel.

Therefore, image pixels can display up to 16.7 million colors (256x256x256). However, a digital SLR camera can recognize even more colors...

5. How much more?

DSLR cameras typically come in 12-bit or 15-bit with brightness levels for each channel ranging from 4000 to 16000.

The result is 68.7 billion or 35.1 trillion different shades.

You may think that this amount of information is simple and unnecessary, but precisely because of this colossal amount of data, you can make serious changes to the contrast, exposure, and color balance settings during the editing process and at the same time avoid such unpleasant side effects as posterization.

Top processing programs are capable of working in 16-bit editing mode, which allows you to save all data throughout the entire processing process.

Photo Science: How your camera's sensor processes color in JPEG and RAW formats.

In order to recognize color, each pixel on your camera's sensor is equipped with one of three color filters (red, green or blue). Thus, one pixel can estimate the brightness of only one of the primary colors. However, by comparing the values ​​of neighboring pixels, the exact color of each of them can be revealed.

When you take a JPEG photo, the process of recognizing color from adjacent pixels happens in the camera itself. By shooting in Raw, you can make the necessary changes on the computer after shooting.

Most cameras use a Bayer color model filter (shown in this picture). In this system, the number of green filters is twice as large as red and blue, this is explained by the fact that the human eye is more sensitive to green color.

6. Do all editors support Raw format?

Most programs partially support the Raw format. The programs that come with your camera can be useful for processing, and the latest versions of popular software such as Serif PhotoPlus, Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements and Corel PaintShop Pro fully support Raw files.

However, the Raw format is not standardized; each manufacturer uses its own information encoding system. Moreover, with each release of a new camera, some changes are made to this system. In this regard, photo editors must be constantly updated in order to work correctly with Raw files from the latest cameras.

7. But why can't Raw be standardized?

Yes, this fact, of course, sometimes infuriates you. Updated software becomes available only some time after the release of a new camera. And Adobe, unfortunately, does not provide updates for outdated versions of Photoshop (that is, you have to completely update the program, although it would be much easier to simply install a free plugin in case you are not using the latest version of this world-leading software collateral).

Adobe tried to introduce its own standard for raw files, DNG (Digital Negative), but few manufacturers supported this innovation.

8. Should I use Raw all the time?

Use Raw as often as possible. Although there are some disadvantages, Raw files take up much more space on your memory card and computer than JPEGs and take longer to record. Accordingly, during continuous shooting, the camera buffer fills up faster and the camera begins to slow down. For some DSLR cameras, the buffer fills up after only 4-5 frames.

For this reason, sports photographers tend to shoot in JPEG format. This allows them to photograph at a high frame rate so they don't miss the best shot.

“raw”, which is very close to the truth. Jpeg contains ready-made information that is automatically produced by the software (it is enough to display the frame on a standard monitor). If you make a mistake and make the frame too dark or, conversely, overexposed, soapy or noisy, this cannot be corrected by any means. Raw, on the other hand, “forgives” incorrectly specified ones and allows you to do initial processing using much more advanced programs. This is why the weight of a Raw file is disproportionately higher than that of a similar Jpeg frame.

Raw file contents

1. Metadata: shooting conditions, established processing parameters, identification cameras;
2. Preview, most often in Jpeg format;
3. Data from the matrix.

Such a file weighs from 15 megabytes. Depending on the model, Raw may have the following extension: .nef, .cr2, .arw.

Raw Features

1. White balance correction;
2. Exposure correction;
3. Correction of distortion;
4. Removing the effect of chromatic aberration;
5. Saturation, sharpness and contrast.

However, we cannot hope that post-processing will improve everything. The frame must be clear from the beginning, because no amount of movement or defocus can be corrected by the program.

Programs that work with Raw format

Each DSLR camera manufacturer produces their own software that allows you to convert Raw to Jpeg or save it in another format, such as Psd, for later processing in Adobe Photoshop. No self-respecting professional will work with the Jpeg file itself, since the quality of the photo will only deteriorate over time.

Many novice photographers prefer to use free utilities that come with the camera itself. Canon uses Canon Utilities RAW Image Converter with Raw, Nikon uses Nikon Imaging and Capture NX, Sony uses Sony RAW Driver.

As for universal software, the most popular is Adobe Photoshop Lightroom; it allows you not only to adjust the image itself, but also to prepare it for publication on a photo hosting site for sale, adding all the necessary metadata to it. Those who prefer to work directly in Photoshop need to install the Adobe Camera RAW plugin, which “translates” this format into a language understandable to the editor. However, Lightroom and Photoshop have a single, but very significant drawback - their cost.

Raw (English raw - raw, unprocessed) is a digital photography format containing raw data obtained from a photo matrix. Such files contain complete information about the stored signal, which does not have a clear specification (standard).

The RAW format in digital photography is similar to the negative in film: it contains raw pixel information straight from the digital camera sensor.

Raw files of digital cameras usually contain:
— discrete voltage values ​​of matrix elements (before interpolation for matrices using arrays of color filters)
— metadata - camera identification;
— metadata - technical description of shooting conditions;
— metadata - default processing parameters;
— “preview”, usually JPEG of medium quality.

The RAW file was not even dematrized.

Dematrization is a complex process, so most digital cameras use quality-impacting shortcuts to convert a RAW file to a TIFF or JPEG. A personal computer with a more powerful processor allows the use of more advanced algorithms. The same applies to image sharpening correction, which requires large computing resources. A RAW file simply contains the red, green, or blue values ​​of each pixel. Typically, digital cameras process this file, converting it into a full-color JPEG or TIFF file, and recording the result on a memory card.

Digital cameras must make several critical decisions when processing a RAW file, which is why the original RAW gives the author more control over how the final JPEG or TIFF will look. The author himself selects the necessary parameters in the process of converting the RAW format to JPEG on a computer.

The RAW file is converted into a final JPEG or TIFF image in several steps, each of which can make permanent adjustments to the image. One of the key benefits of the RAW format is that it allows the photographer to make adjustments to suit each image.

Types of RAW formats

Each manufacturer of photographic equipment at one time developed its own RAW format for its own camera matrices:

  • .nef, .nrw - Nikon;
  • .crw, .cr2 - Canon;
  • .arw, .srf, .sr2 - Sony;
  • .orf - Olympus;
  • .raw, .rw2 - Panasonic;
  • .raf - Fujifilm;
  • .ptx, .pef - Pentax;
  • .raw, .rwl, .dng - Leica;
  • .srw - Samsung;
  • .dcr, .kdc - Kodak;
  • .mrw - Minolta;
  • .3fr - Hasselblad;
  • .x3f - Sigma;
  • .dng - Adobe;
  • .bay - Casio;
  • .erf - Epson;
  • .r3d - Red One.

Benefits of converting RAW to JPEG on a personal computer

Dematrization

Dematization is a very resource-intensive step, and therefore the best dematization algorithms require more processing power than modern digital cameras have. Using dematization on a personal computer allows you to use better algorithms, since its processor is usually much more powerful than that of a typical digital camera. Better algorithms can squeeze a little more out of your camera's sensor, delivering more resolution, less noise, greater tonal accuracy, and less moire.

Flexible white balance

White balance is the process of eliminating unnatural color ratios so that objects that are white appear as white in your photo. The color ratio of a JPEG image can often be changed by post-processing, but at the expense of color depth and color gamut. This is due to the fact that white balance is essentially applied twice: first during RAW conversion and then again during post-processing. RAW files give you the ability to apply white balance to a photo after shooting - without wasting any bits of waste.

High bit depth

In reality, digital cameras record each color channel with much greater precision than the 8 bits (256 levels) per channel used in JPEG images (see "What is bit depth"). Most modern cameras record each channel with 12-bit precision (2 12 = 4096 levels), providing several times more color gradations than can be achieved using JPEG from the camera. High bit depth reduces the image's susceptibility to posterization and increases flexibility in color space selection and post-processing.

Dynamic range and exposure compensation

The RAW format typically provides much more "dynamic range" than JPEG, depending on how the camera creates its JPEG. Dynamic range is defined as the range of light and shade that a camera can distinguish between absolute black and absolute white. Because the original color data has not been logarithmized using curves, the exposure in the RAW file can be subject to exposure compensation later. Exposure compensation allows you to correct metering errors or can help bring out details lost in the light or shadows.

Enhanced Clarity

Since the RAW file was not processed, the camera did not apply sharpening correction to it. Just like dematrixing, the best sharpening algorithms are more resource intensive. Thus, sharpening performed on a personal computer may cause fewer halo defects for a similar degree of correction.

Since sharpness depends on the intended viewing distance of your image, the RAW format also provides more control over what type and amount of sharpening correction will be applied (at your discretion). Sharpening is usually the final step in post-processing because it can't be undone, so having a JPEG already adjusted is suboptimal.

Lossless compression

The RAW format uses lossless compression and therefore does not suffer from the compression defects seen in the lossy JPEG compression. RAW files contain more information and are more compressible than TIFF, without the compression defects of the JPEG format.

Disadvantages of the RAW format

  • RAW files are much larger than similar JPEG files and therefore fill up your memory card faster.
  • RAW files take longer to process because they may require manual work at every stage of conversion.
  • RAW files often take longer to write to the memory card, resulting in fewer frames per second than the JPEG format.
  • RAW files cannot be immediately presented to viewers and customers because they require special programs to load and therefore must first be converted to JPEG.
  • RAW files require a more powerful computer with more random access memory (RAM).

Other Considerations

One of the problems with the RAW format is that it is not standardized. Each camera has a different RAW format, and it may be that one program is unable to read all formats. Luckily, Adobe has announced the Digital Negative (DNG) specification to standardize the RAW format. In addition, any camera that is capable of storing RAW files should come with its own program to read them.

Good RAW conversion programs can do batch processing and will often automate all steps of the conversion except the ones you want to change. This may reduce or even eliminate the ease of use advantage of JPEG files.

Many new cameras are capable of recording both RAW and JPEG simultaneously. This allows you to get the final image immediately, but also keep the negative in RAW in case you want more flexibility later.

Results

So which is better, RAW or JPEG? There is no definite answer, since it depends on the type of shooting. In most cases, RAW files are the best solution due to their technical advantages and the reduced cost of large memory cards. RAW files give the photographer much more control, but at the expense of processing speed, space footprint and ease of use. Sometimes for sports and journalism, the hassle of RAW processing is not worth it, while landscape and fine art photographers often choose RAW to squeeze the maximum potential quality out of their digital camera.

I know a lot of beginner photographers who shoot in RAW and don’t know why they do it. To the question: “Why?” - you get the answer: “What are you talking about, that’s cool! All the Great Photographers of our time photograph in RAW!” Okay, if you think so too, then this article is just for you.

So, let’s imagine that you just bought a camera, found how to change the format and immediately went to Google, or went to your friends, to find out which format is better to take pictures in...

If you don’t know what format to take pictures in, definitely take pictures in JPEG.

Why? – You will understand as we go through this article.

JPEG(or JPG) is the most popular format for viewing images today. It is read everywhere, right down to your mobile phone. Any digital camera takes photographs in JPEG format, the reason is simple: JPG provides excellent quality with minimal time spent on processing it.

RAW(from English raw – raw) is a file containing raw data directly from the matrix. Suitable for further processing and adjustment.

Here's exactly how it all happens:

RAW is a paradise for designers, a format designed for further processing and adjustments. You can work with it long and tediously (within certain limits), change brightness, contrast, and most importantly, all the changes you make will not significantly affect the loss of image quality. Essentially, you can change all the values ​​you set on your digital camera before shooting.

Main disadvantages of RAW:

1) since the “raw” format weighs many times more than JPEG, you will never have enough space to store it.

2) you still have to convert RAW to JPEG to print it or show it to friends.

3) time = money for a photographer, and working with RAW will take you a lot of time, both in processing and converting.

4) different manufacturers of digital photographic equipment have their own standards and settings for RAW files (this can be seen from the resolutions of RAW files, for example: Nikon.NEF, Canon.CRW, Sony.ARW), naturally because of this there is a lot of software for editing RAW files, the main problem is that in different editors, the same RAW will look different.

Beloved by everyone and read everywhere. A JPEG is created from the same RAW file, and all your settings on the camera are used, such as color settings, which you will not be able to significantly change during processing.

JPEG uses different levels of compression. On the camera you can see JPEG Basic, JPEG Normal And JPEG Fine. The better the JPEG quality, the larger the file weighs. Which to choose? It is purely your decision what is more important to you – quality or space on the memory card. Personally, I take pictures in JPEG Normal, because... The difference in quality between Fine and Normal is almost negligible, and JPEG Fine weighs twice as much. I advise you to experiment before choosing.

5) The rate of fire in RAW is significantly lower due to the processing of larger files, as a result - loss of momentum, for a reporter this is unforgivable!

RAW+JPEG

Surely, if you delved into the camera format settings, you came across the RAW+JPEG option. In this case, the camera creates two files: RAW and JPEG.

The plus is that in the end you get both, the minus is that it requires even more space and time. And time is money. In addition, if you do not clean up your disk space, you will accumulate mountains of unnecessary duplicates that you will be sorry to delete... This situation reminds me of how old grandmothers cherish all the issues of newspapers over the past 10 years, with the hope that at least someday take a look at them.

conclusions

If you don’t know what to take pictures in, definitely take pictures in JPEG.

If you're into design, shoot in RAW.

If you take dozens of identical pictures of the same subject and then choose one, shoot in JPEG. At the same time, if you take one photo instead of dozens, take photos in RAW.

Evaluate what you like and what you are going to earn from, if you are going to become a photo reporter - get used to doing everything quickly and at once, learn how to set up the camera correctly. If you want to spend more time in front of the monitor than in front of the camera, shoot in RAW and learn Photoshop.

If you shoot with a digital camera (oh well... since you are reading this blog, it means you know how to use the Internet and other benefits of civilization, that means you are a normal modern person, then... why this “if” - you definitely shoot with a digital camera)... So Now, since you shoot on a digital camera, you definitely faced the question of whether to shoot in RAW or JPG. And it is precisely this question that we will answer in our short article.

First of all, RAW and JPG are different formats created for different purposes. And each of them has its own pros and cons. The most important thing is to understand whether you really need the capabilities that RAW provides, or is the simplicity and compatibility of JPG more important to you?

To do this, we compare all the strengths and weaknesses of each format. So.

.JPG

The main task of the JPG format is to convey the highest quality image with minimal memory consumption. This is where all of its shortcomings come from, but also its advantages:

  1. When you shoot in JPG, you immediately get a finished image. You can immediately send the photo to print or post it on the Internet.
  2. JPG photos take up significantly less space than RAW or TIFF files.
  3. The colors in your photos will immediately be exactly as the camera sees them. When working with RAW, you will have to use the right RAW converter.
  4. By shooting in JPG, you can immediately adjust the sharpness, saturation and contrast settings of your photos. You can also enable the automatic noise reduction function.
  1. The possibilities for further processing are much smaller than when shooting in RAW.
  2. When shooting in JPG, the fine details in the frame are lost. When printing photos in large format, there will be a noticeable loss of quality.
  3. On many DSLR camera models, when shooting in JPG, the overall sharpness of the photo is worse than when shooting in RAW.

Bottom line

JPG is the ideal format for those who value simplicity and ease of use. You can take photos and send them straight to print in a darkroom or on your home printer. Having copied them to your computer, you can immediately send them to your friends on the Internet. They take up little space on a flash card and you will always have enough JPG to print a 10x15 or 15x20 photo in good quality.

If you need to shoot a large volume of photos (500, 1000, 1500 frames) and you don’t have time to process all these photos in a RAW converter, choose JPG, because that’s what it was created for.

.RAW

The RAW format is “raw”, i.e. it requires subsequent conversion to JPG or TIFF. The fact is that when shooting in RAW, all information from the camera’s matrix is ​​saved into the photo file. It is thanks to this “rawness” that we have extensive processing capabilities, but also all the inconveniences associated with converting files.

  1. Processing capabilities. First of all, these are opportunities for working with color - you can already change the white balance in a photo on your computer. You can also process individual colors in a photo, work in detail with areas of shadows and highlights, contrast and saturation of the image. A very important point is that when shooting in RAW, additional information is saved in the file, using which you can “get” image details from overexposed or dark areas of the frame.
  2. By shooting in RAW, you can use precise noise removal and sharpening algorithms.
  3. The RAW file provides great opportunities for color styling and artistic processing of photographs.
  4. Most RAW converters have a function for saving processing settings. Once you've done the processing, you can apply it to other photos with one click.
  5. From a RAW file, you can convert an image into any format you need, be it a low-resolution JPG file for publishing on the Internet or a high-resolution TIFF file for large-format printing.
  1. A RAW file takes up much more space than a JPG.
  2. RAW files cannot be immediately sent to print or published on the Internet.
  3. To convert RAW files, you must use special programs - RAW converters. Learning RAW converters can only be interesting and fun if you are really serious about photography. Otherwise, this process will only be an additional headache for you.
  4. The process of converting RAW files itself takes extra time and requires a computer with good performance.

Bottom line

The RAW format is used by all professional photographers and photo artists. For them, the processing capabilities and picture quality that RAW provides are a necessity. If you're a serious photographer, interested in working with color, or want to print photos in large formats, try shooting in RAW.

P donkey WITH fishing
In any dispute, a compromise can be found. And the dispute between formats is no exception, because you can always enable the function of simultaneous shooting in both RAW and JPG on your camera. This will, of course, require more space on the memory card, but you will be able to use the strengths of both formats.


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