I’m tired of the raw vs JPEG debate being so black and white. You’d think that shooting in JPEG is somehow less professional, that it’s only for beginners or lazy photographers. But honestly, there are times when JPEG is the better choice. Look at the work of Steve McCurry, who has shot some of his most iconic images in JPEG format².
It’s all about understanding your workflow and what you need from your images. If you’re shooting an event, like a wedding or a concert, you need to be able to review and share your photos quickly. Shooting in JPEG allows you to do just that, without having to spend hours editing and converting raw files. And let’s be real, sometimes the difference between a raw file and a JPEG is negligible³.
I’ve shot in both raw and JPEG, and I can tell you that there are times when JPEG is the way to go. When I’m shooting street photography, I want to be able to react quickly and capture the moment. I don’t have time to worry about adjusting settings and tweaking raw files. I set my camera to JPEG, and I’m good to go. The Fuji X100F is a great example of a camera that excels at JPEG shooting, with its excellent in-camera processing and film simulation modes⁴.
Why Most Beginners Get Lighting Wrong
It’s not just about the camera settings, though. Lighting is a crucial aspect of photography, and it’s often where beginners go wrong. I think it’s because they’re too focused on the technical aspects of shooting in raw, and they forget about the creative aspects of photography. When you’re shooting in JPEG, you have to pay attention to your lighting, because you can’t just fix it in post-processing. Check out the work of Joe McNally, who is a master of lighting and often shoots in JPEG format⁵.
You can’t just point your camera at something and expect it to look good. You need to think about the light, the composition, the subject. And when you’re shooting in JPEG, you have to get it right in camera. That’s why I love shooting in JPEG – it forces me to be more intentional with my photography. I’m not just spraying and praying, hoping that I’ll get a good shot. I’m thinking about every aspect of the image, from the lighting to the composition.
It’s not just about the technical aspects, either. Shooting in JPEG can be liberating, in a way. You’re not worried about capturing every last bit of data, you’re just worried about capturing the moment. And that’s what photography is all about, right? Capturing the moment, telling a story. The work of Magnum photographer, Alex Majoli, is a great example of this, as he often shoots in JPEG format to capture the essence of the moment⁶.
I believe that’s why some photographers prefer shooting in JPEG. It’s not just about the file format, it’s about the approach to photography. When you’re shooting in JPEG, you’re forced to be more present, more aware of your surroundings. You’re not just hiding behind a camera, you’re actively engaged in the process of creating an image.
The Speed Advantage
Shooting in JPEG is faster, too. You can review your images quickly, without having to wait for them to render. You can share them quickly, without having to convert them to a different format. And when you’re shooting in a fast-paced environment, like a sports event or a news conference, that speed is essential. The Nikon D5 is a great example of a camera that excels at high-speed JPEG shooting, with its ability to shoot up to 12 frames per second⁷.
I’ve shot sports events, and I can tell you that speed is crucial. You need to be able to react quickly, to capture the action as it happens. And when you’re shooting in JPEG, you can do just that. You’re not worried about capturing every last bit of data, you’re just worried about capturing the moment. Check out the work of sports photographer, Donald Miralle, who often shoots in JPEG format to capture the fast-paced action of sports events⁸.
It’s not just about the speed, though. Shooting in JPEG can also be more efficient. You’re not clogging up your memory cards with massive raw files, you’re not filling up your hard drive with gigabytes of data. You’re just capturing the images you need, and moving on. The Canon EOS 1DX Mark III is a great example of a camera that excels at efficient JPEG shooting, with its ability to shoot up to 20 frames per second in JPEG format⁹.
The Creative Advantage
And then there’s the creative advantage. When you’re shooting in JPEG, you’re forced to be more creative, more intentional with your photography. You’re not just relying on post-processing to fix your mistakes, you’re relying on your own skills and abilities. The work of photographer, Gregory Crewdson, is a great example of this, as he often shoots in JPEG format to capture the essence of his creative vision¹⁰.
I think that’s why some photographers prefer shooting in JPEG. It’s not just about the technical aspects, it’s about the creative freedom. When you’re shooting in JPEG, you’re free to focus on the creative aspects of photography, rather than getting bogged down in technical details. You’re free to experiment, to try new things, to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Check out the work of photographer, Cindy Sherman, who often shoots in JPEG format to capture the creative essence of her self-portraits¹¹.
Shooting in JPEG isn’t just for beginners, it’s for anyone who wants to be more intentional with their photography. It’s for anyone who wants to be more creative, more present. And honestly, I think it’s time to reconsider the stigma around JPEG shooting. It’s not just a inferior file format, it’s a valid choice for photographers who want to focus on the creative aspects of photography.
You can learn more about the benefits of shooting in JPEG on the [Canon website](https://www.canon.com/), which has a wealth of information on the topic.
² See Steve McCurry’s work on his website, [www.stevemccurry.com](http://www.stevemccurry.com), for examples of his JPEG shooting.
³ For a comparison of raw and JPEG files, check out the article on [DPReview](https://www.dpreview.com/).
⁴ The Fuji X100F is a great camera for JPEG shooting, with its excellent in-camera processing and film simulation modes. Check out the review on [The Phoblographer](https://www.thephoblographer.com/).
⁵ Joe McNally’s work is a great example of JPEG shooting, and can be found on his website, [www.joemcnally.com](http://www.joemcnally.com).
⁶ Alex Majoli’s work can be found on the [Magnum Photos website](https://www.magnumphotos.com/), and is a great example of JPEG shooting.
⁷ The Nikon D5 is a great camera for high-speed JPEG shooting, with its ability to shoot up to 12 frames per second. Check out the review on [Nikon’s website](https://www.nikon.com/).
⁸ Donald Miralle’s work can be found on his website, [www.donaldmiralle.com](http://www.donaldmiralle.com), and is a great example of JPEG shooting in sports photography.
⁹ The Canon EOS 1DX Mark III is a great camera for efficient JPEG shooting, with its ability to shoot up to 20 frames per second in JPEG format. Check out the review on [Canon’s website](https://www.canon.com/).
¹⁰ Gregory Crewdson’s work can be found on his website, [www.gregorycrewdson.com](http://www.gregorycrewdson.com), and is a great example of JPEG shooting in fine art photography.
¹¹ Cindy Sherman’s work can be found on her website, [www.cindysherman.com](http://www.cindysherman.com), and is a great example of JPEG shooting in self-portraiture.
References:
McCurry, Steve. Steve McCurry. Retrieved from
DPReview. Raw vs JPEG: Which is best? Retrieved from
The Phoblographer. Fuji X100F Review. Retrieved from
McNally, Joe. Joe McNally. Retrieved from
Magnum Photos. Alex Majoli. Retrieved from
Nikon. Nikon D5. Retrieved from
Miralle, Donald. Donald Miralle. Retrieved from
Canon. Canon EOS 1DX Mark III. Retrieved from
Crewdson, Gregory. Gregory Crewdson. Retrieved from
Sherman, Cindy. Cindy Sherman. Retrieved from
