Photoshop Elements >

Raw v. JPEG >

If you choose to use the JPEG file format, the small computer on your camera processes the data.

If the photograph is saved using a raw file format, little or no processing is done.

You do the processing later.

Let's using cooking as a metaphor to highlight the differences between the tow file formats.

A JPEG file is like you're going out to eat.

The cook at the restaurant takes the ingredients and prepares them for you.

You don't do the work—the cook (camera computer) does.

A JPEG is convenient—but it may not be exactly what you want all of the time.

You can think of a raw file as being like a kitchen counter covered with raw ingredients.

From the flour, sugar, butter, salt, baking powder, and so forth, you can make many different confections.

You do the work—to make the food (raw file) that you want—the way you want it.

You have to process a raw file.

A raw file is exactly what you want—but it's a lot more work than a JPEG file.

Now, let's compare the two file formats in more detail.