ask amy, Hey Amy, I want to take more professional quality photos. I was wondering if you use RAW format and if you would recommend it to an amateur photographer? I have a D5000 and I’m traveling to Ireland next month. I really want some stellar shots. Any advice?

Hey Amy, I want to take more professional quality photos. I was wondering if you use RAW format and if you would recommend it to an amateur photographer? I have a D5000 and I'm traveling to Ireland next month. I really want some stellar shots. Any advice?
- Emily

Anonymous

Pretty much every camera $500 and above has RAW as an option for an image format. And most editing software that you can buy $50+ can support RAW editing in some degree. You have to decide which you’d rather use. RAW or JPEG.

As a professional, my job is to get the shot right. Especially when I shoot weddings, the lighting, composition, people and situations are constantly changing. For me I shoot RAW. But again, my job is to get the shot right, not only as close as I can “in-camera” but when I post process as well. RAW allows me to do that.

Let me explain JPEG and RAW…

JPEG takes an image. The information is stored and for the most part, locked in. You can make some adjustments but the more you make, the more you jeopardize the quality of the image. For instance, if you need to lighten up the darks (blacks) in your picture, you can’t really do that without effecting the midtones and highlights. The JPEG format is ready to upload, share, print, etc.

RAW takes an image. Much more information is stored and the image isn’t finalized. So when you go to edit it, you can make adjustments to where you can almost “retake” the picture. For instance, I can adjust my darks without compromising the quality and luminance of my highlights or midtones. The RAW format has to be converted to JPEG to upload, share and print. RAW images are also much larger files than JPEG. You will easily cut in half the amount of space on your memory cards.

The Nikon D5000 has the option to take RAW+JPG. It will shoot a RAW and JPEG image for each shot. Consider shooting with that for a little bit. Edit the JPG and practice with RAW. RAW takes a little more getting used to, I think, but the capabilities are worth it to me. Especially with the fantastic scenery in Ireland, you might as well try!

Just remember, nothing can replace a well thought-out and composed image!

TIP: when you’re shooting landscapes and beautiful skies, dial your aperture to around f10-f16 or so and balance the meter with your shutter speed. The smaller aperture allows for more dramatic and richer skies!