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What file type should I shoot? RAW vs. JEPEG

The two most common file types to shoot are, RAW (NEF on a Nikon) and JEPEG.

RAW files are large (14MB or bigger depending on the camera, too big to fit in most Emails), but they have several advantages.

1. They are clearer; I notice a difference in the hair and anything with transparency or reflection.
2. The color balance can be changed later.  The color balance is not “baked in” like other formats. These will be easier to work on in Photoshop or to fix a problem with white balance. The downside is that some RAW readers do not apply the in camera white balance settings and users will need to select a color profile to correctly see the color balance on the image.
3. They can be converted to other formats.
4. One photographer referred to RAW as an acquisition format; once all the adjustment was done he would deliver the image as JEPEG.
5. Not all photo programs recognize RAW files; Nikon ViewNX is available free and will let you view your RAW (NEF) files.

JEPEG is a smaller file size (the largest JEPEG from a Nikon D300 is about 7MB, which limits you to one image per Email).

1. On a Nikon you can change the file both the resolution and detail. This is handy to select a small file size before you shoot when you know that the photo will end up in an e-mail. It will save time compressing and resizing the file. In a pinch you can drop the file size if you are running out of memory space.
2. JEPEG are less flexible for editing or correcting the color.
3. They may capture slightly less detail than a RAW file.

I have spoken to Wedding photographers, and some shoot only RAW, others only JEPEG.

I had always shot large JEPEG, and today I have switched over to shooting RAW (NEF), I enjoy the quality of the image and that I can convert it easily to a smaller file 2-3MB to send in an Email. As memory becomes more affordable it makes sense to capture the image in the best quality. It may seem like a trivial decision, until you are looking at shooting 3-10,000 images on a trip or vacation. In the past I used JEPEG, today I would use RAW.

My camera allows me to shoot RAW and JEPEG at the same time. (And select the file size for the JEPEG). I am planning to use this for shooting my next event, I will collect the images in the best quality RAW, but will have JEPEG basic ( smallest)  files to e-mail or upload to Flicker. By shooting in both formats at the same time it saves the step of converting several hundred photos.