• Welcome to the Lightroom Queen Forums! We're a friendly bunch, so please feel free to register and join in the conversation. If you're not familiar with forums, you'll find step by step instructions on how to post your first thread under Help at the bottom of the page. You're also welcome to download our free Lightroom Quick Start eBooks and explore our other FAQ resources.
  • Dark mode now has a single preference for the whole site! It's a simple toggle switch in the bottom right-hand corner of any page. As it uses a cookie to store your preference, you may need to dismiss the cookie banner before you can see it. Any problems, please let us know!

Any meaningful benefit in taking both RAW+JPEG?

Status
Not open for further replies.

New Daddy

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2011
Messages
94
Lightroom Experience
Beginner
I've been taking both RAW & JPEGs, thinking that for friends, I'll just send JPEGs without development, and for my own family, I'll take time to develop the RAWs.

But managing RAW & JPEGs is becoming more of a headache.

Is there any meaningful benefit in taking both RAW+JPEG that I may not have realized? If not, I think I'll drop JPEG and shoot only RAW.
 
Last edited:
Benefits (in my opinion)-
1. An 'Instant' jpg to give to friends. (But it will not have the benefit of your aims for perfection in post processing!)
2. An image that has been Camera processed (by using a 'style' mode) for comparing with edits to a raw file.

Cons-
1. More storage needed (for both jpg & raw)
2. Confusion over two images the same.

For me I quickly decided to shoot only 'raw'. It is so easy with presets to selectively create exported jpg files at any time. Send them your "Best".!!

Without using LR there is available a great program that can also create 'instant' jpgs from raws.-
http://michaeltapesdesign.com/instant-jpeg-from-raw.html
 
As I was beginning to learn the skills needed to post process RAW images, I took both. One reason was to try to surpass the JPEG in quality. The other reason was to have a fall back incase I could not post process the image satisfactorily. After a while I developed a preset that rendered an acceptable image from the RAW when applied on import. At that point the JPEG became redundant and I stopped shooting RAW+JPEG. Now, I think my post processing skills are much better than those in the camera.
 
I also used to do both when learning, but then realized that better could be done with the raw and then did away with JPG entirely - even converting all files to DNG and therefore foregoing any possibility of using the camera manufacturers' software, since I only wanted to learn 1 program for all cameras. BUT I only have 1 friend that lives far away and don't see family anymore, so I can generally take the time with the development. (And as you may have noticed, pretty much ALL raw files need development since the camera isn't applying its manufaturer's proprietary processing.)

One thing you could do if you know you might want to send a quicky for family/friends is only shoot raw+jpg at those times. Another thing you could do is make sure in the LR preferences under the general tab, that "treat jpg files next to raw files as separate photos" is UNchecked - that way you'll only see one copy of each file, and the jpeg will essentially be invisible to LR.
 
I use both mainly to deliver quick stuff to friends but I'm gonna try the program posted here... If it works fine I'll change to Raw only.
 
Raw only. Lr can generate an acceptable JPEG easily enough, plus even has the ability to email the JPEG from the program if needed.

Tim
 
I use both mainly to deliver quick stuff to friends but I'm gonna try the program posted here... If it works fine I'll change to Raw only.

I looked at the guide from "Instant Jpeg From Raw" and found that all it does is extract the embedded jpeg preview from the raw. For me that's not possible, since upon import I convert to DNG with no embedded preview - so it wouldn't work.
And anyways, I think there is a plugin for LR that does just that - from JF if I'm not mistaken.
 
I looked at the guide from "Instant Jpeg From Raw" and found that all it does is extract the embedded jpeg preview from the raw. For me that's not possible, since upon import I convert to DNG with no embedded preview - so it wouldn't work.
And anyways, I think there is a plugin for LR that does just that - from JF if I'm not mistaken.


I don't convert to DNG so it might be helpful for me but I'll look into the plug-in :grin:
 
I use both because I usually take lots of photos from which I select the best one. It is usually much faster to flip through the JPG photos in a viewer than it is for the RAW files. Once I have selected the one photo I like best, I delete all the JPG files.
 
Just a follow-up on my suggestion of the program 'Instant' jpgs from raw'. True it has severe limitations (for LR users that know better!)
1. True it does NOT work from DNG files.
2. It works independently of LR. In Windows Explorer you right-click a raw file to see the option "instant jpg from raw".
3. True it does NOT give a full-size pixel image. eg. a Canon .arw file 3987x2620px produced a .jpg 1660x1080px -"all it does is extract the embedded jpeg preview"

This program is of use only if you need a quick jpg without loading LR. (or for friends with raw images and no program to view them)
 
My only reason for shooting RAW+JPEG is that when I am out I like to use a Canon and Olympus iPhone apps to check the photos and upload some to my iPhone 6. But unfortunately neither app will work with their camera's RAW files. So I have both cameras I use set to RAW+JPEG, but the JPEGs are a lesser quality as far as size and compression.
 
you could try this...make yourself a basic preset that will convert most raw files to look a jpg>>export as a jpg and you still have the raw/dng files to seriously edit. Saves the hassle of two files.

The preset could be something like
cont...............+40
h/light......... -30
shad.............0
white...........+29
black...........-17
clarity ...........+40
vibrance ..........+20

fiddle with detail panel to suit
maybe set lens correction (that tends to kill my LR5 :(]
size could be set into the export preset
two or three clicks and it's mostly done to send pics to where ever

You will need to make the preset to suit you and camera

I use my presets as a start to editing
 
Nice suggestion Ian.B

Your 2 or 3 clicks might be-
Select images in grid view, Click the "Quick Develop" panel to choose the Custom "Develop" Preset (as you show)
Right-click on a selected image , choose "Export > Your Export to JPG Preset"
Done.
 
Yes one can easily create an acceptable jpg in LR. For most, creating a develop preset to give the jpgs a general look you like is also easy. On the other hand, the embedded jpg has the manufacturer's color mode. If one likes the effect, why not use it instead of an approximation? There are command line tools (e.g. exiftool) and GUI front ends for such tools (e.g. "instant jpg from raw") that make it easy - and worth the effort, IMHO.

I shoot raw. My usual workflow is delete the unworthy then give individual attention to the keepers. Move the keepers from the YYYY-MM-DD folder to a Keepers folder, leaving the raws for images I retain for something other than asthetic value. Outside of LR a batch file extracts their jpgs, moves them to the auto-import folder and deletes the raws. Back in LR, export with my preset that scales down and sharpens the jpgs, then deletes the extracts.
 
My opinion:
The way one shoots (or should shoot) JPEG and RAW are completely different.
Shooting JPEG is very similar to shooting slide film as far as exposing goes.
One also does not anticipate doing much editing to these files.
Shooting RAW, by definition assumes a file not ready for publication.
Ideally, shooting RAW means exposing completely differently to the way one shoots a JPEG.
The idea is to maximise the capabilities of the sensor.
Straight out of the camera these files usually look horrible but appropriately edited in Lightroom (or whatever) the magic of RAW becomes apparent.

So, onto shooting both RAW and JPEG.
Fundamentally, as explained above, an ideal exposure for RAW and an ideal exposure for JPEG almost never intersect.
Shooting a JPEG exposed optimally for a RAW file often results in a completely unusable file.
Shooting a RAW file optimally exposed for a JPEG just leaves tons of image quality on the table.

My advice: in any one situation shoot either RAW of JPEG, never both!
JPEG is ideal for situations where a rapid turnaround is the paramount issue.
If image quality is the key issue go for an optimally exposed RAW image.

More advice: If one is trying to learn how to shoot in RAW, then, well, shoot in RAW!
All the time!
Learn from mistakes and move on - get thoroughly familiar with the art and science of RAW exposure.
Shooting RAW + JPEG condemns one to forever being mired in the wrong mindset for learning RAW exposure.

This is a somewhat editorial post that broadens the original question but is nonetheless worthwhile.

Tony Jay
 
Tony,

Curious why you say that a picture is optimized for one or the other.
I used to have a preset which pretty dam close to matching what Canon did in the Camera when shooting JPEG.
Over the years I started in JPEG, then went to both, then only in RAW.
As my skills progressed, the amount of time editing a picture has decreased, both because I am faster at the editing and know more, and because my pictures require less "touch ups".
So I am trying to see how you adjust your shooting technique based on the image format?

Tim
 
If using JPG only it's often a good idea (when particle) to bracket exposures, especially in tricky lighting.

Before RAW became easier to edit or acceptable some top shelf l/scapers bracketed all the time and some even change things like WB and Picture style in the camera and took more bracketed files. They would then get a 'perfect' file in camera plus have some other options to sell. Today LR makes it soo easy to use RAW I doubt any would do it apart maybe from some wide bracketing which is often good insurance

And Tony; we may have meet before somewhere, possible on tassie-ricks forum (??)
 
My advice: in any one situation shoot either RAW of JPEG, never both!
JPEG is ideal for situations where a rapid turnaround is the paramount issue.
If image quality is the key issue go for an optimally exposed RAW image.
JPEG is ideal for any situation where the image quality is good enough. If the JPEG exposure is not acceptable, having shot RAW+JPEG provides one a chance to save the image.
 
I shoot only in raw. I shoot mostly landscapes and wildlife. I don't want to spend camera CPU cycles, card space, or writing bandwidth on creating and writing jpg. I had much rather have all the resources for shooting high frame rate sequences of wildlife in motion. The same would apply to sports. I can always use LR to create a jpg on an as needed basis later.

If I want to share an scene with someone instantly, that would be with my iPhone sending a jpg.
 
I don't want to spend camera CPU cycles, card space, or writing bandwidth on creating and writing jpg.

Very true.. And plus I think most, if not all, camera-raw's already have a full-size jpg embedded in them anyways - made from all the current settings of the camera when captured. Which, if one is not converting to DNG with no preview and disposing of the proprietary raw, will be stuck in there anyways. A perfect scenario for IJFR-type extractors.

I know all my cameras (at left) store full-size jpgs. So when I convert them, I rid them of their previews in the process - and save a relatively hefty amount of space.
 
Many cameras will allow you to create a JPG from a RAW upon review in the camera, which might be good if you only occasionally need to share a photo right away.

I had to do RAW+JPEG for a while since I needed photos that were perceived as "original" from the camera and not at all processed within a computer I controlled. Having the camera do the rendering was seen as less user-controlled than running the photos through something on a computer. But it was a pain and I'm glad I no longer have to do that.
 
Many cameras will allow you to create a JPG from a RAW upon review in the camera, which might be good if you only occasionally need to share a photo right away.

I had to do RAW+JPEG for a while since I needed photos that were perceived as "original" from the camera and not at all processed within a computer I controlled. Having the camera do the rendering was seen as less user-controlled than running the photos through something on a computer. But it was a pain and I'm glad I no longer have to do that.

Rob,

I am kinda curious. What was the context where this was required?

Tim
 
Rob,

I am kinda curious. What was the context where this was required?

Tim
Legal work.

Juries aren't at all happy with a witness saying "I just used Adobe Lightroom to punch up the reds and bring out some of the shadows" when "photoshop" is a verb for faking photos.... ;)
 
Rob,

:)
Sounds interesting work, but somehow kinda morbid. Probably because I have a few friends who are forensic technicians that deal with mostly major felony cases in a big city.

Tim
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top