JPEGs: Where Do You Stand?

In digital photography, the type of shoot that you are doing often dictates whether you shoot in JPEG or raw format. Both options have their own set of advantages and drawbacks.

Is it wrong to shoot JPEG solely with its editing limitations or should you shoot in raw where you have greater scope in post-production? Why not shoot both as many photographers do, shooting both JPEG and raw allows for a quick review of client work plus the ability to send the images quickly.

This article, I understand may seem pointless if you have been shooting for years and know the pros and cons of each but those new to photography may not, and are we not here to help everybody? I’m not trying to open up an age-old debate here either as it’s been covered in many other articles here on Fstoppers. I shoot raw 90% percent of the time then JPEG and raw the other 10% because of its intended purpose. There are pros and cons to both formats and If it's a client shoot more than likely you will shoot raw, perhaps it's just a day's outing and you choose to shoot solely JPEG. Could you not shoot in JPEG for a client? Yes, but what's the intended purpose of the image file, a large print or billboard perhaps, what would you do then? The same edits have been applied to the images above and although I could push the raw file further in post, you can see the limitations of the JPEG especially in the sky. 

Pros of Shooting JPEG Photographs

Convenience and File Size

One primary advantage of shooting in JPEG format is the convenience it offers. These files are significantly smaller in size compared to raw files, allowing photographers to store more images on memory cards and hard drives. This can be beneficial when capturing large volumes of photos during events or assignments, where transmission speed and storage are defining factors. 

Straight Out of the Camera Results

JPEG files are processed in-camera and often produce great results straight out of the camera. The camera's image processor applies the adjustments, including sharpening, noise reduction, and color correction. This can be ideal for photographers who prefer a quick and easy workflow without the hassle of post-processing. 

Compatibility and Sharing

JPEGs are universal and this file format is supported by all devices, operating systems, and software. Being this compatible makes it effortless to share images with clients, friends, or family members, as they can easily view and print JPEGs without the need for specialized software. 

Speed and Burst Mode 

Shooting in JPEG allows for faster image capture when continuously shooting. Since the camera doesn't have to process large raw files, it can write JPEG to the memory card more quickly, enabling photographers to capture rapid sequences of images during fast-paced events, such as sports or weddings. Cameras today are quite proficient in raw high burst rates although the cameras capable of this may come at a higher price range for some. 

A Positive JPEG Example

Recently my colleagues and I were providing end-of-term high school light painting workshops with small groups of 10-15 students each time. On average they took 50 images per session which if photographed in raw format would have meant we would have to download, edit, save as JPEG, and then send the files via WeTransfer. All of this would have been time-consuming as we had four sessions per day. Shooting in JPEG however meant that we could download 50 images straight away, upload them to WeTransfer, and email the link so that the teacher had it before they even left the room. Sure the images were not edited but at least the high school kids had a keepsake of their time before they even returned back to their school.

Cons of Shooting JPEG Photographs 

Limited Dynamic Range and Editing Flexibility 

One significant drawback of JPEG is the reduced dynamic range compared to raw files. JPEG files are compressed, discarding some image data during the compression process, resulting in limited latitude for adjusting exposure, shadows, and highlights during post-processing. Your image edit settings are baked in by the camera's firmware. This limitation can be especially problematic in high-contrast scenes or when trying to recover details from over or underexposed areas. Software these days is slowly taking care of this, however.

Lossy Compression Artifacts 

JPEG compression employs a lossy algorithm, which means that some image data is discarded to reduce file size. This compression process can introduce compression artifacts, such as blocky or blurry areas, particularly in images with high levels of detail or when using aggressive compression settings. Camera technology these days has minimized this issue, but it is still a consideration for photographers aiming for the highest quality output. 

Less Flexibility for Artistic Manipulation 

Since JPEG files have limited editing flexibility, photographers who enjoy extensive post-processing and creative manipulation will definitely find raw files more suitable. Raw files retain all the data captured by the camera’s sensor, allowing for greater control over white balance, color grading, and other adjustments during editing. 

It Just Makes Sense To Shoot Raw

Clearly, from the above that is the case, shooting raw allows for editing flexibility and a non-destructive editing workflow, sure the raw files are much larger in comparison to JPEG. Editing smaller JPEG files involves compression which can can result in loss of image quality over successive edits; a photocopy of a photocopy reduces quality.

I'm sure there are many photographers who solely shoot JPEG, get the results they seek, and earn a living doing it, and this by no means makes them any less of a photographer, as it's ultimately the final image that counts. Editing raw images can be time-consuming and require some expertise

So Where Do You Stand?

Ultimately it's down to you how you approach your images and their final requirements, a raw file can be turned into a JPEG and not the other way around. You can upscale JPEG files using various software, and at the incredible speed AI technology is being applied I'm sure the ability to enhance them further won't be too far off. The information that the raw file captures will of course be greater and offer more editing flexibility allowing you to achieve optimal results with the right tools and techniques.

I personally enjoy the look of the cooked JPEG files I get from my X-T5, but not from my z7ii, and yes I understand that this is to do with film profiles that the Fuji provides, but I can count on 1 hand the number of times I've had the Nikon set to JPEG. However, JPEGs are the most widely used image format in the world, and for good reason as they offer a good balance between image quality and file size.

In summary, there are pros and cons to each format, and a harmony in using both simultaneously, but where do you stand on this?