File Formats
A file format is a particular way to encode information for storage in a computer file. With digital cameras, essentially there are three most common file formats for storing image information: Jpeg, Tiff and Raw.
Jpeg (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
The Jpeg Committee
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|
| A compressed format, which reduces file size and saves the image quickly. It also as saves on memory allowing you to take more photos within the same disc space. Moreover, Jpeg format is supported by all platforms making it an ideal format to share them with others. |
Jpeg is a loosy format, meaning it looses quality when higher compression is used. Also, the more you resave your files, the more image data is lost and the image quality degrades even more. |
Tiff (Tagged Image File Format)
Tiff Specification by Adobe
| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| A lossless file format that retains all image data information including metadata (data on the image). Tiff is considered a standard as well, therefore all computers should be able to display them. |
Tiff is a very large file size and can fill up a memory card very quickly. Also, while using Tiff format, it takes longer for the camera to save the image information on the memory card as the file size is larger. |
Raw
Open Raw
| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Usually only high-end cameras will offer the option to save a file in Raw format. The image data captured can be thought of as being “unprocessed” or, Raw data without in-camera processing. Some consider raw data as the equivalent to film negative—exposed but unprocessed. The image file will include all the information gathered by the image sensor including meta-data. Raw format does not process the image and allows you to manually control all of the camera’s settings when you edit the image on your personal computer. Thus post-processing gives you ultimate control over the end result regarding white balance, saturation, contrast, sharpening and more. |
Raw format creates large images that reduce the number of photos you can save on your memory card. Raw files take longer to save onto a memory card. They are proprietary and require specific raw converter to allow your photo editing software to open them. They also require time to adjust all the images’ settings once you opened them. |
Digital Underwater photography gains the most out of Raw format but in the end it depends on your photography capabilities as well as how much time you would like to dedicate to adjusting and improving your underwater images.
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