Shoot Smarter: RAW Basics for New Photographers

Patrick Jarina
May 18
6 min read

If you're just getting into photography or love taking photos when you travel, you've probably come across the term "shooting in RAW." But what does it really mean — and should you be using it?

Let’s break it all down in plain English so you can feel confident using your camera and making your photos look their best.

Side-by-side images showing a RAW photo before and after editing, illustrating the difference in quality and control. This visual demonstrates the benefits of shooting in RAW for post-processing. landscape photograph

What Does RAW Mean in Photography?

RAW is a special type of image file your camera can create. Think of it as the unedited, full-quality version of your photo — kind of like having the master copy. It includes all the information the camera sensor picks up, giving you more freedom to adjust things later, like brightness, colours, shadows and more.

When you shoot in RAW, your camera doesn’t do any automatic editing or compression. Instead, it saves everything it sees, which means you’ve got loads of detail to work with when you edit the photo yourself.

On the flip side, JPEG files are what most phones and cameras use by default. With JPEG, the camera automatically edits and compresses the image. It removes some of the extra data to make the file smaller and quicker to save or share. That’s handy for casual snapping, but it does mean you lose a bit of quality — and you won’t have as much flexibility to fix things afterwards.

Here’s a quick comparison to keep in mind:

RAW = full control and top quality — great if you want to edit your photos or print them
JPEG = quick and easy — ideal for social media or everyday use

So, if you’re serious about improving your photos, or just want more control over how they turn out, RAW is a great option to explore.

RAW vs JPEG: What's the Difference?

Let’s dive into the key differences between RAW and JPEG, so you can decide what’s right for you and your style of photography.

Why You Might Choose RAW:

More editing flexibility – Shooting in RAW means you can easily fix things like exposure (how light or dark the photo is), white balance (to correct strange colours), and shadows or highlights. It gives you loads of room to tweak and polish your images after taking them.
Better overall quality – RAW files hold onto all the details and colour information your camera sees. This is especially helpful in tricky lighting – like shooting indoors, at sunset, or on cloudy days – where you might need to make adjustments later.
Perfect for printing or serious editing – If you want to print your photos, enter a competition, or just like a more professional finish, RAW files will give you much better results.

Downsides of RAW:

Takes up more space – Because RAW files keep all the image data, they’re a lot bigger than JPEGs. That means fewer photos on your memory card or phone.
Needs editing before sharing – RAW photos often look a bit dull or flat straight out of the camera. You’ll need to spend a bit of time editing them to bring them to life.

JPEG, on the other hand, is quick and simple. It’s ideal for everyday snapshots, sharing straight to social media, or when you don’t want to fuss around with editing. Your camera does all the hard work – sharpening the image, adjusting colours, and making the photo ready to use.

In short:

JPEG = convenience and speed
RAW = control and quality

If you’re just capturing everyday memories, JPEG is absolutely fine. But if you want to take your photography further and really make your shots stand out — RAW is the way to go.

RAW vs JPEG: Quick Comparison

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you choose:

Feature	RAW	JPEG
File Size	Large	Small
Image Quality	Top-notch	Compressed
Editing Flexibility	Loads	Limited
Ready to Share?	Not right away	Yes, straight from camera

If you want something fast and fuss-free — JPEG is ideal. If you're after quality and flexibility — RAW is your best bet.

A stunning sunset casting warm golden light over gentle rolling hills, perfect for showing how RAW captures rich colours and subtle light changes.

When to Use RAW and When to Use JPEG

Knowing when to shoot in RAW or JPEG can save you time, memory space, and a bit of editing stress. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you decide what to use based on the situation.

Use RAW when:

Lighting isn’t great – Shooting at sunrise, sunset, indoors, or on cloudy days? RAW will help you fix any lighting problems later on.
You’re planning to edit your photos – If you like adjusting the brightness, colours or sharpening your images, RAW gives you the freedom to do that without losing quality.
You care about image quality – For portraits, landscapes, or anything important where you want the best possible results, RAW is the safer bet.

Use JPEG when:

You want to share quickly – JPEGs are ready to go straight out of the camera, perfect for social media or sending to friends.
You’re low on storage or battery – JPEG files are smaller, so you can store more of them and they’re quicker to shoot, which helps if your battery’s running low.
You’re just having fun – If you're snapping everyday moments or testing out new ideas, JPEG keeps things simple and fast.

Many cameras even let you shoot in both formats at once — giving you a high-quality RAW file and an easy-to-use JPEG version. So don’t be afraid to mix it up depending on what you’re doing!

Why RAW is Great for Portraits

Shooting portraits in RAW really helps you bring out the best in your subjects. Here’s why:

More natural skin tones – RAW files keep all the colour details, so it’s easier to get smooth, realistic-looking skin without harsh edits.
Better control over lighting – Whether it’s soft light, harsh shadows or a backlit scene, RAW lets you fine-tune the exposure so your subject looks just right.
Easier colour correction – If the lighting makes your photo look too warm or too cool, RAW makes it simple to adjust the colours afterwards.
Fix small mistakes – If you accidentally overexpose a photo or miss the perfect white balance, RAW gives you a better chance to fix it without ruining the shot.

It’s perfect for making polished, professional-looking portraits that still feel natural and true to life.

A calm lake reflecting colourful twilight skies and surrounding trees, highlighting the depth and colour fidelity RAW photography offers.

Do You Need to Shoot in RAW?

Not always — it really depends on what you're shooting and what you want to do with the photos.

RAW is definitely worth using if:

You want the highest image quality possible
You plan to tweak or enhance your photos in editing
You’re dealing with tricky lighting – like low light, sunsets, or high contrast scenes

But if you're just taking casual photos for fun or posting quickly on social media, JPEG will do the job nicely.

That said, if you're keen to improve your photography skills, shooting in RAW is a great step forward. It gives you more creative control, better quality, and room to learn and grow.

Try it out and see the difference for yourself!

Editing RAW Photos: Simple Tips for Beginners

Editing RAW photos might sound a bit scary, but it’s really not! Think of it like adding a bit of spice to your cooking — small tweaks can bring your photos to life. Here’s a step-by-step to get you started:

1. Choose an Editing App

Pick a beginner-friendly app that suits your device:

Adobe Lightroom – Available on mobile and computer. Very popular and powerful.
Snapseed – Free, simple and great for phones.
Darktable – Free desktop software, great if you're on a budget.

2. Import Your RAW Files

RAW images might look different depending on your camera. The file names might end in .CR2 (Canon), .NEF (Nikon), or .DNG (many phones and apps).

3. Start with Basic Edits

Don’t overdo it — just focus on the essentials:

Exposure – Brighten or darken your photo so it looks just right.
White Balance – Fix any odd colours (like yellow indoor light or blue shadows).
Highlights and Shadows – Bring back details that might look too bright or too dark.
Sharpening – Add a bit of clarity so your image looks crisp.

Take your time and play around. Every photo is different, and the more you practice, the better you’ll get. A few simple edits can really make your pictures pop!

Final Thoughts

RAW photography might sound a bit technical at first, but really, it’s just about giving yourself more creative freedom.

By shooting in RAW, you’re holding on to all the detail and colour your camera can capture. This gives you loads of flexibility to tweak and improve your photos later — whether you’re fixing the lighting, adjusting colours, or bringing out subtle details.

It’s especially helpful for special moments — like holidays, portraits, or golden hour shots — where you want the result to really shine.

You don’t have to use RAW every time you pick up your camera. But when you do, you’ll quickly notice how much better your photos can look with just a few small edits.

So if you’re ready to take your photography up a notch, give RAW a go. You might be surprised just how much it can improve your pictures.

Happy snapping!