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Message: <blockquote data-quote="bluenoser" data-source="post: 59431" data-attributes="member: 6351">I shoot RAW 100% of the time.  However there was a time when I first began that I shot only in JPEG.  The funny thing is (at least to me) is that I always thought shooting in RAW was only for the "pros" and that JPEG was going to suit me just fine forever.  Well a funny thing happened as I journeyed down the road of photography, I eventually came to the realization that in fact RAW is at least just as beneficial (if not more so) for the new or less skilled photographer! Why?  Well a more experienced photographer is better able to get the white balance and exposure (as an example) correct in the camera at the time of shooting - if you can do that consistently under a myriad of every changing lighting conditions then you are indeed a talented photographer!  However the less experienced person will struggle with the getting the white balance and exposures correct with any amount of consistency.  As such, if the person had shot in RAW - it is MUCH easier to process the image with any number of software packages to attain the proper WB and exposure.  There is so much more information available in the RAW file than with a JPEG and as such you have more "head room" to lift shadows for example in underexposed areas without introduction noise so quickly.  A JPEG file really restricts how much and how effectively you can correct mistakes that you (and everyone) makes at the time of the initial capture.  Of course we all *try* and get it right the first time out but the reality is that is just not going to happen as often as we'd like.  RAW has helped me salvage countless images that would otherwise been either ruined or significantly inferior with JPEG.Of course there are many, many reasons to choose to shoot RAW and I've only touched on the most basic of them.  However I am not in the camp of those that feel "superior" to others that insist of shooting JPEG - I just want to make sure that everyone makes an educated decision on which format is best for them.  Heck - I sat in an afternoon session with Gary Fong (uber wedding photographer) and he happily boasts to anyone listening that he only shoots in JPEG!  His rational is that the file sizes are much smaller (they are) and as a result he can shoot faster and capture more pictures in the rapid - bang, bang - world of wedding photography.  Also he says with the thousands of pictures he takes at each shoot he just doesn't have the time to go through post processing to any large degree.    (However Gary is a pro and I'm willing to be he gets it right more often than I - or most of us - do! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />)There really is no absolute "thou shalt" answer to this issue (although some would disagree with that statement).  There are a few good reasons to shoot in JPEG depending on the circumstances (your ability, experience and type of shooting you're doing) but I think the reasons to shoot in RAW far outnumber - in general - the reasons to go JPEG. Just my .02 of course.</blockquote>

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