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bob@bcphotography.com          928-300-0535          coatesart.net

jpeg or RAW

by | Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, photography, photography education

“Do you shoot jpeg or RAW?” That is a refrain heard echoing in areas where photographers congregate. What’s the proper answer?? It depends.

REASONS to shoot RAW

This is a no brainer. RAW gives you access to all the information that was presented to you when the image was captured. With the help of a RAW processing engine like Adobe Camera RAW, Lightroom, Capture One or other software you can process the image control the highlights, shadows, color, sharpness and a number of other variables to get the most out of the file. Even more important for your legacy images is you are able to get even more out of the files each time the processing software is upgraded. Don’t believe me? Go back to some images that you shot a few years ago and process the image again in your favorite upgraded software and compare it to what you were able to get from the file the first time. I think you will be amazed. The older the images the more you will be amazed.

water on rocks photoRAW image no processing all information as presented to the camera.

water on rocks photo processedAdjustments to RAW file to more tune the scene to as seen. Increased saturation,
adjusted WB, opened shadows, controlled highlights.

water on rocks photo processed add vingettePorcessed RAW file from above with vingette added.

water on rocks photo processed converted to black and whiteAbove file converted to black and white using NIK Silver FX Pro PS. the NIK Collection is now
owned by Google. You can get the whole suite for only $149. If you own one of the NIK products
you can now claim the rest of the suite from Google at no charge.

REASONS to shoot JPEG

There are none according to my buddy Kevin Ames of http://www.amesphoto.com He says, “Friends don’t let friends shoot jpeg!!” In certain instances I have to argue a bit.

Many of the new cameras have creative settings built in. While I was never a fan in the past the fact that you can now tweak the settings of many of these setting to your own taste you can build a recipe of a look you like and it is completed in camera. If you don’t save these files as jpegs you get to view them on the back of your camera according to the recipe and for about 2 seconds after downloading because the RAW info is all you will have access to.

water on rocks photo processed by cameraCaptured by camera with the Impressive Art setting on the Lumix GX7

water on rocks photo processed to black and whiteAbove photo converted to black and white with a vingette added

Another jpeg scenario. If you have complete control of your lighting in a studio situation and are working on super tight deadlines jpeg can be a perfectly fine alternative. Jpeg is akin to shooting slide film back in the day. (you do remember film right?… if you are under 25 never mind) Jpeg files are processed in the camera and information is removed from the file based on in camera processing and can not be recovered. But if your exposure is correct and falls within the latitude of highlight and shadow you’ll be fine and can move files into the workflow of the job without spending time processing the files post haste.

REASONS to shoot RAW and JPEG

One reason to shoot RAW and Jpeg would be to keep the screams I can hear all the way from Atlanta from Kevin from making you crazy. The other is it makes good sense to keep your options open. This can be the best of both worlds. You can have the speed of the jpeg but the back up of the RAW info in case there is a malfunction during the shoot in the studio that you were unaware of like a color balance issue for example. It would be much quicker to reprocess the RAW files with the proper CB than to have to try and fix jpegs that were not quite right thereby throwing away even more information from the files (Wait did I just make Kevin’s argument for him? I hate it when he’s right)

The other reason is you want to have the camera presets work for you but then have the RAW info available to process the file to more exacting specifications or for different purposes.

FINAL THOUGHTS

As my buddy Kevin says, “Always shoot RAW!” I can go with that. Turns out it’s pretty cheap insurance if something goes wrong during a shoot or you want to ultimately use an image for a different purpose. You can shoot RAW plus Jpeg when you have a need of the jpeg output either because of using your camera presets or recipes to have a consistent look for your images or the need for speed in getting images to another location quickly and efficiently.

I’ve found the best of both worlds exists in today’s cameras. When in doubt the answer is to shoot both at the same time.

All images from this lesson were captured with my traveling camera the Panasonic Lumix GX7

Yous in Photography,       Bob

sunday photo/art quote 3/23

by | photography - art quote, success education

This is an awesome quote!

quote image“No man becomes a fool until he stops asking questions.” Charles Proteus Steinmetz

Often I see tentativeness in people about asking questions because they might be thought the less of because they don’t already have that information. When I am giving seminars and presenting programs I will often get questions from attendees that are couched with this phrase, “This is probably a stupid question…” Please remember there are NO stupid questions. Only uninformed people who are afraid to ask.

What kind of questions help you in your photography business?

Obviously talking with other photographers asking about techniques can be helpful in adding to your bag of tricks and can be of help. But dig a little deeper.

Asking questions of your photographic subjects can unearth information that can help you tell their story better. With the proper question you can get an expression and inner light not usually apparent. Or better yet you might uncover a story you didn’t even know was there that could lead to a photo essay!

Asking questions of people when you are traveling can uncover some really cool photographic opportunities. Most people are proud of their town and happy to share interesting areas in their neighborhood.

Ask questions about business.

Be like a child. Stay curious. Don’t be embarrassed. Ask questions. You’ll be rewarded for it…

Your in Photography,         Bob

PS The originator of today’s quote was Charles Proteus Steinmetz. He was a mathematician and electrical engineer. He fostered the development of alternating current that made possible the expansion of the electric power industry in the United States. Wikipedia

 

sunday photo/art quote 3-16

by | photography - art quote

I’m back….

Go ahead admit it you missed me! Well maybe not. I tired to keep up posts while on the cruise to Mexico but the ship’s Internet connection is a bit on the slow side and not inexpensive. But, I digress from the purpose of today’s post.

I am a big fan of making mistakes. Today’s quote is from Julia Sorel kind of reinforces the idea you should be willing to take chances. You should give a shove on the envelope and see if you can discover new things… On the down side it can be a bit uncomfortable. I believe it’s a price we should be willing to pay. How about you??

sunday photo quote from Julia Sorel“If you’re never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take any chances.” – Julia Sorel

Sorel is an artist and author. Her given name is Rosylyn Drexler. She has had a very interesting career spanning several creative outlets… Check her out. And then try something new!

Yours in Photography,       Bob

sunday photo/art quote 3/10

by | photography - art quote

I’m on holiday so this is a day late and I’ll let you fill in the comments…. Back soon!

weston quote image“Anything that excites me for any reason, I will photograph: not searching for unusual subject matter, but making the commonplace unusual.” Edward Weston

OK guys and gals give me your thoughts on this quote from Weston!

Yours in Photography,       Bob