I'm shooting jpeg again and getting better results.

I recently started shooting in jpeg again. Normally, I shoot in raw but will throw it into jpeg for something I care nothing about (say, something for ebay or whatever).

But one day I switched to jpeg for a couple shots, and then just left it there. I've been doing it that way for a couple weeks. The camera is processing photos a lot better than I am when I shoot in raw and use DPP to process.

Any reason why?

I guess I just don't know how to process RAW files very well. I realize that once the pic is in jpeg it's already compressed, and that when you open it, work on it and save it that you are further compressing it, but it seems to be working for me lately.


Like this. I did process it a lot using Topaz Adjust and Photoshop Elements, but I like it much better than my usual shots.

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #14927859
Any reason why?

I guess I just don't know how to process RAW files very well.

I think you answered your own question there.

Whatever works best!

TheBurningCrown wrote in post #14927872
I think you answered your own question there.

Whatever works best!

Ditto. When you shoot in jpeg your camera makes some decisions for you in terms of processing the colors and sharpening the image. RAW files SOOC are flat and a bit boring, so you definitely have to do at least a little work on them in some editing software. I'm not familiar with PS Elements, but maybe if you got to know the program better?

But really, if you're happy with what you're getting no need to change I guess!

You answered it yourself. RAW leaves infinitely more flexibility and produces better images when processed the correct way.

Well done Mike, glad you see you're happy with your results.

I've always had the opinion that getting the shot right at the point of capture produces the best images.

There is definitely a flaw in your PP'n!

It's all about where you want to focus your attention. If you're happy with the results of your camera's processing, then why not shoot jpeg. I'll throw it into jpeg myself for something that doesn't need any especially unique processing. . .sports comes to mind. . .though with Lightroom, I can process such photos much faster, so I'm not as quick to go to jpeg anymore.

Getting it right in the camera is pretty much a given whether you're shooting raw or jpeg. So, if I were in your position, I think I'd probably just stick with jpeg unless you find yourself wanting final results that your camera just isn't producing.

Like people have said, whatever works best for you!

However, I personally never looked back once I started using ACR (through Bridge) for PP'ing Raws for the flexibility I have if I slightly fudge a shot or just need to somehow compensate for my equipment (underexposed photo in the case of a low-light event).

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #14927859
The camera is processing photos a lot better than I am when I shoot in raw and use DPP to process.

Any reason why?

Well, if you have DPP set to its defaults then the jpeg it produces when it first loads a raw file is identical to the one that the camera would have produced. So the reason is that you've changed those defaults to something stupid.

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #14927859
I guess I just don't know how to process RAW files very well.

hollis_f wrote in post #14930045
Well, if you have DPP set to its defaults then the jpeg it produces when it first loads a raw file is identical to the one that the camera would have produced. So the reason is that you've changed those defaults to something stupid.

I would agree, you're doing something tragically wrong with RAW processing

Maybe put this in the Post processing / RAW section

hollis_f wrote in post #14930045
Well, if you have DPP set to its defaults then the jpeg it produces when it first loads a raw file is identical to the one that the camera would have produced. So the reason is that you've changed those defaults to something stupid.

This. If the camera is giving you better output, its simply because you are doing something less pleasing during the conversion.

Well, I guess I didn't phrase to original question well (since, as many of commented, I answered my own question).

I like the flexibility of raw because I get a lot more dynamic range and the ability to fix exposure mistakes that I make or the camera makes (based on my mistakes).

Are there any general guidelines when processing RAW IMAGES? He's, this probably belongs in another section.

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #14931971
Well, I guess I didn't phrase to original question well (since, as many of commented, I answered my own question).

I like the flexibility of raw because I get a lot more dynamic range and the ability to fix exposure mistakes that I make or the camera makes (based on my mistakes).

Are there any general guidelines when processing RAW IMAGES? He's, this probably belongs in another section.

What program are you using? I really liked Kelby's photoshop (version) for photographer's book. It takes you through all of the controls in ACR and it shows a lot of post processing techniques without overwhelming you like some photoshop books to, it was more task oriented.

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #14931971
Are there any general guidelines when processing RAW IMAGES? He's, this probably belongs in another section.

To how you like them? A lot of it is personal taste.

How well do you know what each slider does in any given program? I personally like to know what I'm doing to each photograph with the sliders, and that gives me some good groundwork.

Pete wrote in post #14927995
I've always had the opinion that getting the shot right at the point of capture produces the best images.

Of course, but what does that have to do with choosing jpeg or raw? You should always strive to get everything right in camera.