79% of Our Readers Shoot In RAW (at least Sometimes) [POLL RESULTS]
A couple of weeks back we ran a poll here on DPS asking whether readers are shooting in RAW. The results are in and it seems that most of you are – at least some of the time.
Over 17,000 readers have voted in this poll and 79% of them shoot in RAW at least some of the time.
We asked our readers this same question just over 2 years ago and back then the Yes/No split was a lot more even (about 50/50) – so it looks like RAW continues to grow in popularity.
Further Reading on RAW: RAW vs JPEG
Don’t Forget to Vote in our Most Recent Poll – How Often Do You Take Photos?
19 Responses to “79% of Our Readers Shoot In RAW (at least Sometimes) [POLL RESULTS]” - Add Yours
September 7th, 2009 at 3:45 am
I think at least part of the reason for the rise in popularity is the availability of cheap(er) data storage. Interesting results, in any case.
September 7th, 2009 at 6:18 am
RAW has been always better for digital photography. But 2 years ago you didnt have the amount of tools you have know and the amount of publicity those tools have.
You got DigitalPhotoProfessional from Canon that its a great software when it comes to color for CR2 files but thats not a hot topic for the public… Now you have Lightroom and Camera Raw and other players too making it really easy for the beginner.
And dont forget RAW capability on P&S, the ones builted in and the ones enjoying CHDK!
I dont think storage is the reason because 2 years ago the storage was cheap too and the megapixels weren above 10MP average…
September 7th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I always shoot in RAW. Gives me flexibility when processing my images. Find it hard to switch back to shooting in JPEG.
September 7th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I shoot in JPG. I find that I’d rather take a lot of photos in burst mode of fast moving dogs / children and get that perfect focus, expression and light than take 1/5 the shots in (slightly) higher quality, and miss that smile.
Besides, if we’re honest with ourselves, almost none of our shots are ever blown up to the point where the quality difference is noticeable, and we’ll just spend more time processing the shots, than outside actually taking them.
Finally, my reasons are dictated by the extremely limited time I have each evening to quickly sort, delete, process and backup the 200+ shots I’ve taken for my latest 365 project – my son. (You can check out my flickr page for the one I did for my daughter’s first year)
September 7th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
ps. I should mention, that’s 200+ shots PER DAY, sometimes a lot more… if I was processing RAW images I’d never sleep!
September 7th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I have to admint I shoot RAW, but don’t know why LOL I guess I think it may help, but it doesn’t, Taking the shot is still the important part. I am seriously considering going back to JPEG. Processing speed mentioned by Lachlan is a good reason not to shoot RAW.
September 7th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I always shoot raw. I work mostly in Lightroom, and before I had it I shot jpeg just because it was so hard to view and edit my images after the fact. Now it’s super easy, and I love having the flexibility of raw files. With jpegs if you get the white balance wrong, you can’t really fix it in post.
Here’s an example of the flexibility you have with raw files. (Before and after editing.)
http://quotidian-photography.blogspot.com/2009/07/day-113-july-2-more-cheating.html
September 7th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
I shoot RAW for important images such as magazine covers or large ads. For events and many of my portraits I’ll use high .jpg. If needed I can pull my .jpgs in as a RAW file in Photoshop. It’s not exactly the same but offers excellent results.
Rosh
September 8th, 2009 at 2:09 am
I don’t really see any reason not to use raw.
September 8th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
The possibility to work on the raw image before opening it with the editor is one of the main reason (together with the possible correction of a white balance error). I can’t think to work on an image without this kind of pre-elaboration.
September 9th, 2009 at 2:40 am
I find that if i’m out shooting landscapes i will shoot RAW more often now, but i still shoot JPEG for the high school sports because they are faster to process.
I only recently switched to shooting RAW because of the price drop in memory and storage.
September 9th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
If you don’t see a reason not to shoot in RAW, you’re doing it wrong. And vice-versa. Both RAW and JPEG are part of the digital photography toolbox. For sports, for instance, JPEG rules (unless you want to cripple your camera’s burst mode).
September 10th, 2009 at 6:11 am
I keeps it raw, son! I mean, I shoot in the RAW format. It offers a lot more flexibility in processing. It’s a bit more laborious than working with JPEGS, but only slightly really. I normally shoot several hundreds of shots during a typical shoot. (I think I’m just spoiling myself after having only recently moved over from shooting on relatively expensive film. heh.) I can view everything I shoot, pick out the ones I like best, then save the rest on incredibly cheap 1TB externals. With data storage being cheaper at every turn, there’s not much of a drawback to the larger sizes of RAW files. And I will be getting a faster computer in the future, so the difference in processing times will be more neglible as time goes by. But I would prefer to have the highest quality raw material available for now, and for any future inspiration I get which lead me to new ways of using old images. It’s a bit horde-y but the drawbacks are minimal.
September 11th, 2009 at 5:19 am
RAW is AWESOME!!!! I highly recommend it.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I shoot SHQjpg+RAW (ORF) with my Olympus E-30. I take mainly birds in flight and insect shots. and use dual format so that any marketable shots can be submitted in either format. For conversion I use the free download programme Raw Therapee. It is extremely comprehensive. When I had a Fuji s7000 I used the free S7Raw, again an excellent programme. I’m not a Photoshop fan, I use Corel’s products.
September 12th, 2009 at 2:09 am
How I enjoy your page. I’m learning so much and you have such serious and respectful comments. That said, it did strike me humorously today when I misread your title as “79% of Our Readers Shoot In ‘the’ RAW.” One little word added subconsciously, but what a funny mind’s image it immediately created. Sorry if I imagined all these wonderful and serious photographers going after their shots in the “buff.”
September 15th, 2009 at 7:05 am
I shoot in raw. However if I want to share my photos I have to convert them to jpeg. Most computers I send the photos to don’t have the ability to view raw photos. Windows media should come with raw capabilities. I also use to develop photos in a lab. Ever since I went digital I have found the process to be more like take pictures not photos. The magic has gone out of photography.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Hi John
Windows can open raw files, You just need search for the correct CODEC for your particular brand of raw file. for example my Olympus E-30 saves a different raw format to my Oly E-510 so you have to specify the exact camera make and model. Sometimes microsoft might have the one you want, or the manufacturer. It was weeks before Olympus issued the CODEC for the E-30. It’s never simple!! Then, of course, your recipient will also need the correct CODEC. Simpler to send jpg.
October 24th, 2009 at 12:15 am
I shoot exclusevly in DNG/ RAW, ever since. With my LumiX G1, it is necessary to use Adobe DNG Converter 5. 2 (or something) version, which can be downloaded from the Web, to open up the files in order to process and edit them. I keep them saved on Psd format.
What is also wonderful that it is possible to use the adapters with almost any optical system and get wonderful results.
J- pegs are only used when sending them to share with friends. Important is to save DNG- Raw ones as a back up that I consider as important.
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