JPG Vs RAW

When you're getting serious about photography, one of the first technical decisions you'll face is whether to shoot in JPEG or RAW format. Both have their advantages, and understanding the difference can help you get the most out of your camera and your creative process. JPEG is a compressed file format that’s designed to save space and deliver images that are ready to use straight out of the camera. The camera processes the photo, applying sharpening, contrast, and colour adjustments, then compresses it, resulting in a smaller file that’s ideal for quick sharing or when you don’t plan to do heavy editing.

On the other hand, RAW files are uncompressed and preserve all the data captured by your camera’s sensor. This means they offer far more flexibility in post-production. Shooting in RAW gives you greater control over exposure, white balance, color grading, and recovering details in shadows and highlights. It’s especially valuable in professional shoots, challenging lighting conditions, or when high-quality editing is a priority. The tradeoff, however, is that RAW files are much larger and require editing software to process before they’re ready for use.

Choosing between JPEG and RAW ultimately comes down to your intent. If speed, simplicity, and smaller file sizes are important, such as for casual shooting or quick content delivery, JPEG might be your best bet. But if you're aiming for the highest quality and maximum editing potential, RAW is the clear winner. Many photographers find a hybrid approach works well, using JPEGs for quick previews and RAW for the final edit. Whatever you choose, knowing how each format works will help you make the best decision for your workflow and your goals.