Jpeg is better quality than RAW ?!!

[MSD K.]

Hi guys,
I hope that I didn't choose the wrong section for my problem . I looked for answers every where but I found nothing.
There is something confusing me about RAW files.The thing is I found that Jpeg files have less noise, sharper details and better colors than Raw files EVEN after post-processing !!. I don't understand why but it's true, a lot of my friends say so too. But I know that there is something wrong because ALL professional photographers shoot RAWs.
So, could someone tell me what I'm doing wrong ? I started to shoot Jpeg but I'm not convinced that it is better than RAWs.
By the way, my camera is Canon 500d.

Thank you,
Mosaad

[Kretch]

Because your camera is doing a better job at processing the raw data than you are!
Get a better RAW converter.

[kirbinster]

In reverse order, not all pro's shoot raw - but that is a totally different issue.

When you press the shutter button you ALWAYS take a picture in RAW - NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!

What happens next is up to you. If you told the camera "shoot" jpeg, then it takes the raw image and applies whatever camera settings you selected, compresses them image (losing quality) and saves the jpeg while deleting the raw image. If you told the camera so "shoot" raw, then it takes the raw image and saves it to disk - that is all. It is now up to you and your big computer to adjust the image to your liking. Your big computer and fancy software SHOULD be able to do a better job of this than the tiny processor in your camera - but in your case maybe not. That is not said as an insult, processing is a skill you have to learn, and once mastered you will be able to do better than the camera.

[MSD K.]

Originally Posted by Kretch

Because your camera is doing a better job at processing the raw data than you are!
Get a better RAW converter.

I use Photoshop and Lightroom. But I still don't know what is wrong with my post processing ? I used more than one techniqe but still the jpeg has better colors and sharpness !

Thank you.

[RecurrentNerve]

You could try setting your camera to save both RAW+JPEG simultaneously, then use the JPEG as a reference to adjust the RAW. Once you get the hang of that you can then just switch to RAW.

[MSD K.]

Originally Posted by Kretch

Because your camera is doing a better job at processing the raw data than you are!
Get a better RAW converter.

Originally Posted by kirbinster

In reverse order, not all pro's shoot raw - but that is a totally different issue.

When you press the shutter button you ALWAYS take a picture in RAW - NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!

What happens next is up to you. If you told the camera "shoot" jpeg, then it takes the raw image and applies whatever camera settings you selected, compresses them image (losing quality) and saves the jpeg while deleting the raw image. If you told the camera so "shoot" raw, then it takes the raw image and saves it to disk - that is all. It is now up to you and your big computer to adjust the image to your liking. Your big computer and fancy software SHOULD be able to do a better job of this than the tiny processor in your camera - but in your case maybe not. That is not said as an insult, processing is a skill you have to learn, and once mastered you will be able to do better than the camera.

Ok I understad. But I don't think that I'm so bad at using photoshop, I'm using it for about 8 years so I know the enviroment very well. But I'm sure you're right, there is something wrong with my processing and I need to know what is it.
The main question is: What is the best way to increase the saturation of the colors and decrease the noise ?

You could try setting your camera to save both RAW+JPEG simultaneously, then use the JPEG as a reference to adjust the RAW. Once you get the hang of that you can then just switch to RAW.

This is a good idea
But I would appreciate any help I could get.

[Kretch]

Yes, that's a VERY good idea.

[Christian Michael]

When I started using Raw files about 12 months ago I found that the software I was using (paintshop pro 10) couldn’t handle the RAW documents correctly. When viewing them with the software that came with the camera they looked great. When brought into paintshop for editing they lost strength.

I knew my 12 years of using Paintshop had come to an end. When I started using Photoshop CS5, there was a huge learning curve in finding the renamed, relocated tools. BUT it’s a far superior piece of software that handles RAW beautifully.

If you are viewing dim looking RAW files….Its your software. Not the camera. Hope this helps

[kirbinster]

I would suggest you stick with lightroom, and just start your developing process from the top to the bottom using the tools on the right hand side. They are set up so that for most applications you will get the best results by working in that order (whitebalance, exposure, saturation, etc...)

[Christian Michael]

Originally Posted by MSD K.

The main question is: What is the best way to increase the saturation of the colors and decrease the noise ?

MSD K,

Here is a link to the adobe learning center for CS5. It explains the best way to use the software to get the most out of RAW images.

To be honest its totally up to you if you use J-Pegs or RAW. That’s your choice as a photographer. If you are printing the images, or do a lot of editing to them the RAW files have more information in them and edit smoother then a J-Peg, which obviously has less information.

Hope the link helps.

Learn Photoshop CS5 - GS-08: Making a ho-hum RAW image great | Adobe TV

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