There's a moment after I get home from a shoot that I enjoy almost as much as being out with the camera.
Importing the files, opening Lightroom and seeing what's really there – I always feel a bit nervous at this point too.
For me, photography doesn't end when I press the shutter, a big part of the joy is in the editing. That's why I almost always choose to shoot in RAW.
What shooting in RAW actually gives you
A RAW file is exactly what it sounds like: the unprocessed data straight from the camera sensor. Nothing baked in, nothing thrown away, nothing decided for you.
That matters because it gives you options, and photography, at least for me, is about having creative choices 👇
More dynamic range — far better recovery in highlights and shadowsWhite balance flexibility — you're not locked into whatever the camera guessedBetter colour depth — smoother gradients, fewer artefactsGreater tolerance for mistakes — especially in tricky light
If you've ever thought a photo was "ruined" because the sky was blown out or the shadows were too dark, chances are a RAW file would have given you room to rescue it.
Editing is part of the craft
Back in the days of film photography I used to enjoy developing black and white photos and making creative decisions with masking and timing. The film negative was very much like today’s RAW file. Nowadays, I use Lightroom because it suits how I work, practical, powerful, and non-destructive. One big reason I prefer RAW files is that Lightroom's tools are simply more accurate when they're working with full sensor data. Things like 👇
Lens correction and distortion fixesChromatic aberration removalHighlight recoverySubtle colour grading
These tools sometimes still work on JPEGs, but they're working with a file that's already been compressed, sharpened, and interpreted by the camera.
With RAW, I'm making the decisions, not the camera.
Recovering the "nearly lost" shots
RAW files are far more forgiving (and thank goodness because I make plenty of mistakes).
Highlights that look blown can often be pulled backShadow detail can be lifted without turning into mushExposure errors of a stop or two are usually fixable
That doesn't mean you stop caring about exposure, but it does mean you're not punished quite so harshly for imperfect conditions or that quick shot taken before you even have time to think about settings because wildlife doesn't wait, light changes and sometimes you get just one chance.
RAW gives you a safety net.
So why would anyone choose JPEG?
JPEGs aren't bad, they're just different and there are absolutely times when JPEG makes sense 👇
You need images straight out of cameraYou don't enjoy editingYou're shooting huge volumes and need speedYou're limited on storage space
JPEG files are smaller, quicker to write to the card, and easier to share immediately. For events, social media turnaround, or casual shooting, they're practical.
The trade-off is that the camera has already made creative decisions for you, contrast, sharpening, noise reduction, and thrown away data it thinks you won't need.
Why some people shoot both RAW and JPEG
Many cameras, like my Nikon D750, allow you to shoot RAW and JPEG simultaneously.
This gives you the best of both worlds 👇
A ready-to-use JPEGA RAW file for later editing
The downsides 👇
Twice the storageFaster card fill-upMore files to manage
If you're happy with the extra admin and have decent SD cards, it can be a good compromise. My D750 card setup post covers exactly how I handle this.
Speed, buffers and reality
One thing worth mentioning: RAW files are bigger.
That means 👇
They take longer to write to the cardCamera buffers can fill faster in burst modeCheap or slow cards will show their limits quickly
For wildlife photography, that's a real consideration. A fast card and sensible burst control make a big difference. If you're not sure which cards to choose, read my SD cards guide.
So what do I choose?
For me, RAW fits how I see photography. I like shaping the image afterwards. I like pulling detail out of shadow. I like deciding how warm, cool, soft, or contrasty a photograph should feel.
RAW keeps that creative door open for me.
JPEG has its place, but when the light is tricky, the moment matters, or I know I'll want to spend time with the image later, RAW is the clear winner.
Because photography isn't just about what the camera saw – it's about what you do with it afterwards 📸
