RAW Camera File Format

What are three advantages of a RAW file:

• The complete (lossless) data from the camera's sensor
• Higher in dynamic range (ability to show highlights and shadows)
• Read-only allowing for multiple copies to be automatically made if edited

What is one disadvantage of a RAW file: 

• Waiting to be processed through your computer

What are three advantages of a JPEG file:

• A standard format able to be read through most image programs
• fairly small in file size
• processed by your camera

What is one disadvantage of a JPEG file:

• Compressed (by looking for redundancy in the data like a ZIP file or stripping out what human can’t perceive like a MP3)

1. Under the first heading "Capturing the Images," how much of the data does a RAW file retain after it is captured by the camera?

     It captures all the data and retains all the information without compressing it, preserving all the information in all the pixels within the image. 

2. Under the second heading "Processing the Files," what are some of the things that a RAW file enables a photographer to edit after the image is taken?

     You therefore have control over things like white balance, contrast, highlights, shadows, colours and saturation.

3. Under the third heading "Practicalities," what are some of the factors that photographers must consider when deciding to shoot in RAW?

4. Under the fourth heading "Which one is for you?" why would an aspiring professional photographer need to know how to work with RAW files?