RAW VS JPEG
I need to explain the difference between RAW images and Jpeg. Oh, and your own eyes! Our eyes and brain are super clever and have the ability to see details in most shadow areas and also in highlight areas too. Our eyes and brain can see detail under a bimini and also on a white sail above. A camera is less clever, especially in Jpeg mode and will only be able to expose the shadow areas and the highlight areas as a compromise. This often ends up in pictures with shadows completely blacked out, or the highlights blown out (all white). We can get one step closer to our eyes by shooting in RAW format, which records far more information in all areas. Initially a RAW image perhaps won’t look as good as a camera’s Jpeg but in post production you can get more out of your shot. While nearly all cameras now have the option to shoot in RAW, smartphones have been slow to adopt this option and it was only on the iphone 12 Pro that they introduced this. If you are serious about your image taking, choose RAW. If you just want quick social media shots then Jpeg is fine. If you would like to use the images in both areas you can often choose an option to capture both simultaneously, so that you can back up the RAWS for when you are back at your computer, and use the Jpeg instantly. If you do select Jpeg, your camera may have options as to which size file to save. Always go for the largest option, as you’ll just lose quality in smaller files, and more memory cards aren’t expensive to buy.