JPEG Or RAW - How Does This Affect Your Wedding Photography?

Wedding photography has long been in the digital age. Along with this comes all the lingo that gets thrown around during a wedding consultation. This can be confusing for any bride a groom. A little knowledge can help getting the best wedding photographer you can.

Weddings Photographed RAW

RAW files are basically a digital negative. All professional cameras save files in this format as well as JPEG and other formats. RAW files are the best format to use. This allows a professional photographer to edit color, contrast and sharpness on a unchanged file. There is even some exposure change allowed to compensate for lighting.

The downside to RAW is the file size. A 10 mega-pixel camera will have a approximate 21MB RAW File but if it is set to shoot JPEG it will be a 5MB file size. This will allow more images stored on the camera. But this comes at a price.

JPEG file: JPEG is an acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group. It is what is known as a "lossy format" This file is compressed and some information is lost. This standard was developed to speed up transfer and display of images over the Internet. It reduces the file without significantly reducing the quality.

I want my wedding photos RAW

While I would always ask if a photographer shoots RAW I would never ask a photographer to give a couple the RAW files. Most consumer printers and PC programs can't handle a RAW file. That's where a JPEG file comes in. A photographer who uses RAW knows how to develop the RAW file to get the best image available for his/her client.

Your Wedding Photography Prints

Most couples order 8x10 prints or smaller. This size will not show allot of the missing detail from a image saved as a JPEG. A popular wedding package add on is a canvas print. These are mostly larger print sizes like 20x24. When a image is blown up it shows more detail. This is exactly when I will always use a RAW file developed to not lose detail.

Every couple has to decide how JPEG vs RAW factors into there choice of wedding photographers. Ask what format your photographer shoots in and why. Always use a professional wedding photographer and remember this is only a factor to help narrow down your list. In the end remember to choose a style and portfolio that meets your style as well

Curtis Wallis is owner of a successful wedding photography studio in Columbus, Ohio. Making your wedding day as smooth and memorable as possible is part of every package. Wedding Photography Information http://weddings.curtiswallis.com.

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