what is RAW? does anyone know?

Question

is it a file to save under or a shooting mode? I am so confussed. and if you shoot in jpeg, can you save in tiff? w/o noise? I've been asking about this alot, and it seems alot of people are just as confussed as me...

Answer 1

RAW is the uncompressed image. It allows for extensive editing (through programs such as photoshop, aperture, bridge,etc.). The bonus to RAW is that you can easily change the white balance or exposure (to a degree of course, but it's a large one). However, raw files are HUGE. Think 10x larger than a jpeg which is a compressed image format. In fact, after editing your RAW file, you'll need to compress it (i.e. make it into a jpeg). You won't need to shoot in RAW unless you're a pro or semi-pro photographer (it's a hassle if you're just shooting amateur images). If your files are jpeg, you can convert them to tiff using photoshop. You can do the same with any format.

I'm not sure what you mean by noise. but if you mean imperfections/digital errors on your image from converting it, I think that's because you're converting it into a lower quality form of compression (?).

Answer 2

A RAW file is the uncompressed, unprocessed image file taken directly from the image sensor of a digital camera, and is considered lossless. Meaning, it has the most detail with the least noise, or a higher signal to noise ratio. This is a file format, like JPEG. A JPEG is an image file format that has recieved compression and specific tonal processing by the image processor of the camera. Both formats are selectable by the cameras menu, usually under "quality", some higher end camera's include TIFF as a capturable file format. A TIFF is another sort of compressed file that retains more detail than a JPEG, with less tonal processing. A TIFF will have less noise than a JPEG, but the difference is negligable unless you intend to do a lot of post processing, say in photoshop. Then, there is JPEG/fine, which is a lot better than JPEG for a compressed image, but again unless you plan to do a lot of post the difference is negligable. Unless you are familiar with how to process a RAW image, or you are certain you already have a RAW editing plugin or other program, you should stick with JPEG/fine. You have to know what you are doing with RAW because the image you see will not appear as clear and correctly color balanced as a JPEG, though it contains more tonal information. This is because there is NO processing, and every image needs some processing, like hue and saturation adjustments, tonal correction, and white balance adjustments. And a RAW file is only readable by specific RAW plugins like Adobe RAW. Without it, photoshop will not open it and neither will any other picture viewing program. So, keep that in mind before you shoot in that format. Otherwise, JPEG/fine works well and still yields the largest compressed file size (TIFF is only available in higher end cameras).

Answer 3

RAW are uncompressed files. You should note that every make of camera records RAW files in a 'native' format and your pictures cannot be seen on screen on the computer until they have been 'converted' either to a JPEG or to a TIFF. They can be regarded as a 'digital negative' which can be worked on many times without loosing ant information. But you do need a conversion programme. Adobe Photoshop and I think Elements support and can convert most RAW files - if yours appear not to be, it's worth looking at the Adobe website to see if there is an update. Alternatively, your camera should have some with a RAW conversion program, although most bundled programs are pretty basic.

In answer to your question, RAW is a shooting mode which saves images to a RAW file. If you shoot in JPG you can later save your images as TIFFs - but do that immediately you upload them to the computer.

Answer 4

You can shoot and save images in RAW although the files are considerably larger than .jpgs. I find that it bogs down my camera a bit and takes forever to download when I shoot RAW files, and unless you're shooting for a large, glossy magazine cover, for example, you can usually get by with a high resolution .jpg. Plus you need the right software (Photo Shop, is a good one) to convert RAW to.jpgs or TIFF images, depending on your needs. There are some advantages, like less image compression (hence the huge file size), and the ability to adjust white balance post-fact. But unless you're shooting for a big commercial account, or some thing, it's not really needed.

Answer 5

I think you've got some great answers already.

If you want to continue learning about RAW, JPEG, and more detail about how to work with these options, I have a Yahoo Group that talks in detail about Digital Photography and these types of questions. It's designed for exactly the kind of questions you are asking.

Yahoo Answers is great for some initial questions, but for ongoing back and forth questions, I would recommend you join the group.

Here is the Group...
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalPhoto101/

Answer 6

I think that it is from a DSLR and shooting in this mode allows you to do alot of corrections of your photograph in Photoshop, etc.