Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

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)

Posted on Mar 16, 2013 10:12 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 17, 2013 12:54 AM

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

14 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 17, 2013 12:54 AM in response to Baroleum

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

Mar 17, 2013 7:53 AM in response to Yer_Man

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.

Mar 20, 2013 6:00 AM in response to Yer_Man

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)

Mar 20, 2013 8:48 AM in response to Baroleum

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?

Mar 20, 2013 9:01 AM in response to Keith Barkley

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.

Mar 20, 2013 9:50 AM in response to Baroleum

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

RAW VS JPEG

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.