RAW VS JPEG
Does iPhoto convert RAW photos to JPEG when attached to email?
Is a JPEG converted from RAW a better quality photo than one originally shot in JPEG?
If so, how is it visible?
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Does iPhoto convert RAW photos to JPEG when attached to email?
Is a JPEG converted from RAW a better quality photo than one originally shot in JPEG?
If so, how is it visible?
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
When you import a Raw to iPhoto it automatically makes a jpeg Preview of the shot. Why? Because you can't do anything with Raw - can't print it, share it online, use it in other apps etc. So to allow you to use the file immediately the Preview is available.
You can, however, also process the Raw in iPhoto simply by editing it. The Raw processing engine in iPhoto the same one used in Aperture, but with less fine control. (Think of the differences between Word and TextEdit, iMovie and Final Cut). The output from the processing then replaces the preview. You can choose to save your output as either jpeg or tiff in the iPhoto Preferences.
Does iPhoto convert RAW photos to JPEG when attached to email?
If you attach to the email from a Media Browser in iPhoto, Mail.app or anywhere else, it's the Jpeg Preview that's sent. If you want to email a Raw specifically then export the image to the FInder (File -> Export and set the kind to Original) and attach that.
Is a JPEG converted from RAW a better quality photo than one originally shot in JPEG?
Possibly, but not automatically and often not... I'm guessing that you're not overly familiar with shooting Raw.
Very brief Summary: Every camera shoots a Raw. The Raw is just a dump from the camera sensor. In point and shoot cameras this Raw is then processed - white balance corected, colour saturation set, sharpening and so on - and saved as a Jpeg. The settings used in this conversion are ones decided on by the engineers at Nikon, Sony, Canon or whoever.
Can you do a better job than them?
If so, then higher end cameras will allow you to access the Raw. That means you can do your own coversions - set your own white balance, saturation, noise reduction, sharpening and so on. So, with a bit of experience you might produce better results than the engineers at the camera company.
Or not.
If so, how is it visible?
Either the photo looks better to you or doesn't.
Regards
TD
When you import a Raw to iPhoto it automatically makes a jpeg Preview of the shot. Why? Because you can't do anything with Raw - can't print it, share it online, use it in other apps etc. So to allow you to use the file immediately the Preview is available.
You can, however, also process the Raw in iPhoto simply by editing it. The Raw processing engine in iPhoto the same one used in Aperture, but with less fine control. (Think of the differences between Word and TextEdit, iMovie and Final Cut). The output from the processing then replaces the preview. You can choose to save your output as either jpeg or tiff in the iPhoto Preferences.
Does iPhoto convert RAW photos to JPEG when attached to email?
If you attach to the email from a Media Browser in iPhoto, Mail.app or anywhere else, it's the Jpeg Preview that's sent. If you want to email a Raw specifically then export the image to the FInder (File -> Export and set the kind to Original) and attach that.
Is a JPEG converted from RAW a better quality photo than one originally shot in JPEG?
Possibly, but not automatically and often not... I'm guessing that you're not overly familiar with shooting Raw.
Very brief Summary: Every camera shoots a Raw. The Raw is just a dump from the camera sensor. In point and shoot cameras this Raw is then processed - white balance corected, colour saturation set, sharpening and so on - and saved as a Jpeg. The settings used in this conversion are ones decided on by the engineers at Nikon, Sony, Canon or whoever.
Can you do a better job than them?
If so, then higher end cameras will allow you to access the Raw. That means you can do your own coversions - set your own white balance, saturation, noise reduction, sharpening and so on. So, with a bit of experience you might produce better results than the engineers at the camera company.
Or not.
If so, how is it visible?
Either the photo looks better to you or doesn't.
Regards
TD
Thank you, Terence. I am just learning about Raw from a photographer friend who insists I shoot only in Raw to get the best quality image. I don't know what he does with Raw images but I've seen his results and they are amazing. In hindsight, I've discoverd that he uses a high end, full frame camera and a $3,000.00 lens as opposed to my DX format, entry level camera with a $100.00 lens. You have been very helpful. Thank you. I think I'll stay with JPEG and the tweaking I've learned to do in Apple's iPhoto.
Honestly: I thnk this
and a $3,000.00 lens
would have a much bigger impact on the finished shot.
Hi, Terence,
My "professional photographer" friend still insists, despite your lucid and helpful responses, that a RAW image, edited and automatically converted to JPEG by Apple's iPhoto (their low grade, photo adjusting software) is "far superior" (I wish I could imitate his strong, German accent here) to the same image shot as JPEG. I'm going to experiment when my Nikon D7100 arrives this weekend (yea!!) and let you know. Ed (baroleum)
Good for him. The iPhoto developers would love to hear that. No idea what his definition of "far superior" is, but then again that might be a personal choice.
Your friend is a bit of a snob. Most in-camera JPEG conversion is fine for most applications. The only situation when you might *need* RAW are for tricky color/exposure settings when you want to get it just right, like a sunset, for example. Otherwise, I have found that JPEGs are fine and take less space.
Admittedly, modern photo applications like iPhoto, Aperture and Lightroom have taken a lot of the pain out of shooting RAW, but if you are happy with your photos, why change your workflow?
Thanks, Keith,
My friend is very assertive and a bit sensitive when his techniques are questioned. He always, always, always, (ad nauseum) shoots in RAW!!! (with his full frame high-end Canon and his $3,000.00 lens). I have been pleased with the results I get from my entry level Nikon D40 with good Nikkor glass and "tweaking" my JPEG shots in iPhoto and I will continue using it. But he's got my interest piqued so I'm looking forward to one or two experiment shots. Thanks for your review.
Find a new friend
That one is worthless
He will only stifle your creative
Allan
Thanks, Allan. I've been shying away from him for that very reason.
Are there a photography clubs in your neck of the woods?
Most places have one. You can learn a lot at one of those.
Maybe even find some worthwhile friend to shoot with.
Allan
No, I'm in a retirement community and I've become sort of the "Official" photog of the place. I get away to the woods as often as I can to look for beauty to shoot. And, the residents really appreciate the close up shots of things they normally wouldn't see in passing. Works for me! Thanks for your suggestion.
Right - the best answer is what yu like
I converted to RAW recently and am happy - 99% of the time I do nothing with the RAW and jsut use the automatic JPEG that iPhoto generates - the other small % it is great having the added flexibility and contro that RAW provides - the only disadvantage is storage requirements adn given the low ost of disk storage I see no reason to have even a very small compremise due to storage requirements (I have over 50,000 photos in my iPhoto library and it is very large - over 200 GB last I looked - but again disk is cheap)
So I suggest playing with RAW and making your own decision - it is a lot more flexible and if you upgrade to Aperture you have a lot more control with no drawbacks (with iPhoto you still have more control with no drawbacks - just not as much as with a higher end professional program)
LN
Thanks, Larry. I'm looking forward to experimenting and I'm considering buying Aperture.
If you really want to use RAW then you find Aperture to be much better the iPhoto.
Don't be intimidated by Aperture. There is a fairly steep learning curve but it can be surmounted.
Allan
RAW VS JPEG