Shoot in RAW? The Pros and Cons of Digital Negatives
DefinitionUnprocessed data directly from a camera sensor.
1The Simple Explanation
A RAW file is like undeveloped film. It contains all the light data the sensor captured. It looks dull and gray until you 'develop' (edit) it, but it lets you rescue blown-out skies or dark shadows.
2Technical Deep Dive
RAW files are usually 12-bit or 14-bit uncompressed or losslessly compressed. They bypass the camera's internal processing (white balance, sharpening, gamma curve).
Common Misconceptions
Myth: RAW photos look better out of camera. Fact: RAW photos usually look worse (flatter, less sharp) until edited. They are for potential, not instant results.