While the best JPEG recording options are great for digital photography, there's another, entirely different, alternative. Available with all digital SLRs, and some compact digicams, RAW capture mode is well worth considering for serious digital photography.
Aside from slightly higher image quality, a RAW file has much greater latitude for technical image correction. As we’ll see, you can make major changes to aspects such as white balance, contrast, exposure, and color rendition.
Adobe Camera Raw provides fully automatic corrections and user-selectable controls
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What is RAW Capture?
When you select the RAW capture mode, the camera records raw data from the sensor in a proprietary file format (such as NEFF or CR.) In-camera settings for white balance, exposure compensation, contrast, sharpening and color saturation are recorded, but not applied to the image data. After you download the files to a computer, all of these settings can be modified before converting the file to TIFF. Use the special "converter" software packaged with the camera, or an aftermarket converter from Adobe (Camera Raw), BreezeBrowser (http://www.breezesys.com), PhaseOne (http://www.phaseone.com) or the free RawShooter Essentials from Pixmantec (http://www.pixmantec.com.
Major technical problems (as in this example) can be difficult to correct in JPEG images
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Who Needs RAW Capture?
Obviously, you can correct an image made in JPEG capture using conventional software, so why shoot in the RAW format? There are two primary reasons. First, image quality will be preserved even if you make fairly major corrections. And if you use Adobe Camera Raw (in Elements 3.0 or Photoshop CS2) the process requires little expertise. The automatically applied corrections are often close to ideal, calling for only a bit of fine tuning using one or two of the slider controls. Let’s say you were shooting under fluorescent lighting (without flash) using Daylight Auto White Balance, and your images exhibit a strong green cast. Perhaps you inadvertently set spot metering instead of evaluative metering and many of your images of sky capped mountains are underexposed. Or you set the color saturation level to High in-camera, and skin tones are much too ruddy. No problem if you were shooting in RAW mode. These serious errors (and others) can all be corrected in converter software without the loss of quality that would occur in the conventional image editing program.
Is RAW Capture the Ideal Option?
Admittedly, there are a few drawbacks to shooting in RAW capture mode. First, image recording time is much longer and you may not be able to shoot more than one (or a few) photos in a sequence. Because of the larger files, your memory card will fill up much more quickly. Finally, you’ll need to spend extra time at a computer using the special converter software.
Because I had used RAW, corrections were easy to make without degrading quality
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The Bottom Line
While RAW capture is not ideal in all respects, it's great whenever you absolutely must be sure that you'll be able to make a perfect photo. Take advantage of the slightly higher image quality and the wider latitude for making corrections in your computer. Use RAW versus JPEG mode particularly for important events, or once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities and you’ll have extra peace of mind.
About Author / Instructor / Photographer, Peter K. Burian
 Peter K. Burian, Photo Journal Syndicate (www.peterkburian.com), is a freelance photographer based in Toronto, Canada. His outdoor, travel, nature and active lifestyle photographs are available as stock for editorial and advertising use. He markets his work direct to photo buyers via www.peterkburian.com and is also represented by three stock agencies: Corbis, Alamy and The Stock Connection. As a writer and editor, Burian is co-author of several books, including the National Geographic Photography Field Guide and ten Magic Lantern Guides to SLR camera systems (including Sony Alpha, Pentax Digital and Maxxum/Dynax digital cameras). His book covering all digital aspects has received numerous favorable reviews. Mastering Digital Photography and Imaging (Sybex)covers the technology, equipment and techniques, providing 270 pages of practical advice for photo enthusiasts. Burian is a regular contributor with several magazines: SHUTTERBUG, PHOTO LIFE, Australian Photography and HERE'S HOW! He is also one of the Panel of Experts for Microsoft Home answering readers' questions about digital cameras and photography at: http://www.microsoft.com/canada/home/expertadvice/default.asp#3 He also provides editing and technical editing services to publishers of books on photography and digital imaging. Finally, Peter Burian is also a BetterPhoto.com course instructor. Sign up today to learn how to make great photos with your digital camera
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