JPG or RAW

[boost_dependent]

For sports, particularly baseball, would guys shoot RAW or JPG? and why? I have always been a fan of shooting RAW, but sports seems a little different and I have been shooting it in JPG.

[namasste]

You'll hear arguments from both sides. I bounce back and forth but generally, I find the value of RAW really comes in when dealing with poor lighting and wb conditions. Outside, during the day, I shoot jpegs and they work outjust fine.

[In2Photos]

I agree with Scott. If I can nail exposure and have consistent lighting I shoot JPEG just to speed up my workflow a little.

[boost_dependent]

Well, that makes sense. I guess I'll just continue shooting day baseball in jpg unless the lighting/wb gets really crazy. But, if it were an important shoot I guess shooting in RAW would be best...?

[In2Photos]

Well, that makes sense. I guess I'll just continue shooting day baseball in jpg unless the lighting/wb gets really crazy. But, if it were an important shoot I guess shooting in RAW would be best...?
There is no right or wrong answer, only preference. If you prefer to have a little extra wiggle room then shoot RAW. If you are confident that you will nail everything, shoot JPEG.

[namasste]

plus, if you use ACR, you'll get much of the functionality to adjust a jpeg like a RAW file. Less data but if an image is that far off, you'd be best to dump it anyway.

[AdamLewis]

I always shoot raw because, IMO, a JPG converted from raw in post looks better than a JPG converted from raw by the camera.

[boost_dependent]

I agree that RAW converted to jpg looks better. But, the school I shoot for got mad when I shot in RAW the first time. I tried to explain what raw is and they tried to say it's for printing huge images? wtf over? I then tried telling them that that has no relevance, both raw and jpg are the same mp. I siad think of raw as a digital negative that you can correct mistakes on without degrading the image. They then said, but you can do the same with photoshop....? Ummm yeah try it then moron. Anyway, since they have no idea what raw really is and how to use it, I went to jpg.

[AdamLewis]

So what in the hell happened to your car?

[kb9tdj]

I always shoot raw, more latitude in PP. I tried jpg at a soccer game once, was a bit off on the exposures (tough lighting conditions near sunset) and was not pleased with the results. The only downside I had was the small raw frame buffer on the XSi; I solved that problem with a 50D.

[namasste]

I agree that RAW is better but bear in mind that in many cases, it's not an option so understanding how your camera processes a jpeg is critical. I have two teams that I cover where I have to transmit live and they don't really have editors (beyond cropping) so I have to shoot jpeg and therefore, know how the various settings I use will impact the image in that format.

[Patrick]

I find with baseball, that when the action does happen, it happens fast and I like to shot a burst to get that perfect shot so I shoot jpg.

[DDCSD]

wtf over?

You in the Navy?

[cbusby]

For indoor, low-light sports like hockey and basketball I like to shoot RAW, because it gives me more flexibility in post. However, the pictures are huge and I can only burst a few shots as opposed to JPG, which it seems like I could burst forever. If the shots are going to be shown small on the web than a JPG is almost always fine, but if you are going to use it for a poster, or something high resolution then RAW would probably be preferable. It's really up to you, I've gone back and forth several times before finally settling on RAW.

[Jon, The Elder]

If they are posing for "formal" shots, we automatically shoot RAW.

Arena stuff is only going to sell once to a customer so JPG's are just fine.

We like the flexibility and setting up a 'one-button' shift to RAW is very nice and easy when you are busy.

[MJPhotos24]

I only shoot JPG usually, if you get it right in camera there isn't much PP to be done. If I had time to edit every pic one by one or wasn't shooting so much I'd probably go with RAW, but preference at this time has me shooting JPG. That may change some day, who knows. However, I need to have stuff uploaded quick to clients and my current system is based on JPG. I know some other sports shooters who only shoot RAW though as well. I haven't noticed anyone shooting RAW though that are transmitting on site.

[Bkolowski111]

If you can get it right in camera then JPG is just fine. RAW is good if lighting is tricky.
JPG is nice because it saves a lot of hard drive space. It really all comes down to a personal preference.