While the two most common digital image formats are TIFF and JPEG, many cameras now offer the ability to save in raw format. This, as the name suggests, is the format in which the image is captures, before in-camera processing.
There are two main reasons for shooting in raw format. The first is that as modern high-quality camera sensors operate at a higher bit-depth from the JPEG or TIFF that is created and saved, they have the potential to capture a wider range of brightness. This is not as great as many manufacturers and some people claim it to be, but nevertheless, there is at least a small advantage, perhaps one or two f-stops.
The second reason, or real practical value, is that the original camera settings, such as white balance and contrast, are saved and kept separate from the original capture data. With a JPEG or TIFF, the camera's processor applies the settings you choose and throws away the other possibilities, but with a raw file, you can go back and select any setting you like later on, on the computer. These two reasons make raw a compelling choice for professionals and serious amateurs.
No comments:
Post a Comment