What is RAW Image Format, and Why Should I Use It?

In the world of photography, the image format you choose can significantly impact the quality and flexibility of your work. For professionals and photography enthusiasts alike, the RAW image format has become a go-to choice. But what exactly is RAW, and why should you consider using it? This article delves into what makes RAW unique and the reasons it’s favored by photographers who demand maximum detail and editing flexibility . What is RAW Image Format? Understanding RAW as Unprocessed Data Unlike JPEG or PNG, a RAW image format captures unprocessed data straight from the camera sensor. Think of RAW as a digital "negative" that holds all the image's information without any compression or alterations. Uncompressed Data: RAW files retain every detail, preserving high-quality images and offering more data for editing. Larger File Size: Since RAW files don’t lose data to compression, they are significantly larger, often requiring more storage space. For photographers,...