Practical_Photoshop__Issue_77__August_2017

FOCUS ON FORMATS
JPEG
JPEGs are the world’s
favorite image
format: they’re
hugely efficient, light
on file sizes, and open
on almost any device.
This is because
they compress on
closing (that’s when
you get to choose a
quality setting) then
they uncompress
again when opened,
causing a slight loss
of data each time.
TIFF
TIFFs offer lossless
compression, so
there’s no loss of
quality from
repeated opening
and closing.
To preserve
the maximum
information in
an image format
other than raw (and
especially if you want
to carry out further
edits), save it as
a 16-bit TIFF.
RAW
Raw files contain
unprocessed
information
straight from your
camera’s sensor.
Unlike JPEGs,
you choose how
the information
is processed
afterwards. Camera
manufacturers each
have their own type
of raw file format,
such as NEF for Nikon
or CR2 for Canon.
DNG
Adobe’s universal
‘Digital Negative’ DNG
is a lossless format,
just like any other
raw file, but any edits
are stored inside the
file rather than as
a separate ‘sidecar’
file. DNG is useful
when old software
refuses to open new
raw files, as you can
convert a file with
Adobe’s free DNG
Converter software.
WHY DO JPEGS LOOK BETTER?
JPEGs
Straight out of the camera, JPEGs often look much more
vibrant than raw files, because the colors have been
enhanced and sharpening applied in-camera. The excess
raw data is then discarded. So JPEGs look punchier
because the camera has taken some of the decisionmaking
on how it should look out of your hands.
RAW FILES
Initially a raw file can often look flat, even disappointing,
as the manufacturer expects you to make your own
enhancements. The look will also vary depending on
the software you chose to process raw files in. Even
your camera’s LCD offers a subjective image, as it’s a
JPEG copy of the newly captured raw file.