What is the advantage to RAW images and can those be shown like JPEG? Im not sure why I would want a RAW image, as far as I can understand they are the most detailed image possible? Oh.... and any good, free software to post process images? I don't want to do anything crazy to the photos, maybe just some color adjusting and cropping
I am surprised that no one replied. RAW is so much better than JPEG. RAW is like a picture's negative so that you can use post-processing software to save some images that might have been lost, tweak photos to properly show the highlights, color, and shadows or tweak the photos completely for a new piece of art. I am not sure of any free software since I use Aperture but I know there is an editing software in flcker. Yet, I have never used it. Basically, color adjusting is much better with RAW pics. Why? Because RAW photos have much more data to work with then JPEGs. This website has some great info for photographers and posted an article on RAW vs JPEG. http://www.digital-photography-school.com/raw-vs-jpeg
luvnsurf basically said it all. Once you start shooting Raw it will be very difficult to revert to jpeg.
RAW is the only way to go if your interested in the professional side, Its a digital negative and can be processed on the computer with the right software. Very large files but you can then save your picture to a JPEG or what ever format you choose after production. Think of it this way, RAW takes a picture with all the information where JPEG's will drop out what the camera processor feels it does not need. JPEG are hard to compensate for missed information in post production, RAW depending on the lighting etc, you got the best you can capture
How shown? Unfortunately, RAW can be shown, processed only in software. You can not upload to the Internet in this format. To process, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3, is fantastic. It is not free, however you can find Aperture for the lower price. Yes, RAW has best quality of 12-16bit, compare to 8bit JPEG file of your camera. Yes, maybe a help to know: Image quality is again lost in RAW - JPEG processing. However, quality lost is very less to if you photograph in JPEG, (and allow your camera to process for you). The reason is, Lightroom 3 is made special only to process RAW files! The algorithm is very good of such software, better than any DSLR can process! Unfortunately, Picnik can not support RAW format. Also, is closing on April 19. If you wish to photograph RAW, it is good to purchase large Memory Card. For example: My 8GB can have 1553 (12.2 MP) Photographs of JPEG format, and RAW, only 353! Last, benefit of RAW is possible to create HDR from 1 photograph only. HDR is very fun to experiment, but also need software, such as Photomatix.
On many semi pro cameras you can shoot both together, it takes up a lot of memory but you get the best of both worlds, a processed Jpeg and a RAW to process if you need further tweaking.
