Knowing which image type to use ensures you can make the most of your digital photographs. Some image types are best for getting an optimal balance of quality and file size when storing your photos, while other image types enable you to more easily recover from a bad photograph. Countless image formats exist and new ones are always being added; in this section we will focus on options related to the two of the three formats most relevant to digital photography: JPEG and TIFF. The RAW file format is covered in a separate tutorial.
RAW files are the true digital negatives!
The better SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera systems can save photos to a memory card in a format unique to that make and model of camera. These are called RAW files.
What is the difference between JPEG and RAW files?
Many people argue that RAW is superior to JPEG in that it captures a significantly wider dynamic range, a fact quite true for single image photography. When it comes to creating HDR images, however, JPEG is the virtual equal of RAW.