Taypes of file formats for Digital Photography

The digital file format a photographer chooses for saving photos is determined by the intended use of the images, the hard drive space the photographer is comfortable with giving up for storage and whether the images will be edited after picture-taking.

JPEG

JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. This file format is identified by .jpg at the end of the file name. It is a widely used format that is compatible with all software and hardware.
Most JPEG files are smaller than other file formats because JPEG saves space by compressing data. JPEG is both a file type and a compression type. JPEG compression employs what is termed lossy compression. That is, in saving storage space some image information is lost.The discarded information thrown out is considered a duplicate of information already captured. Although some information is restored when the file is opened for editing, printing, e-mailing or scanning, some information is lost forever.

How to Save JPEG Images For Best Quality

 

JPEG image quality will be suitable for the needs of most amateur photographers and  photographer who knows how to use image-editing software.After editing a JPEG image, the photographer should not save it in JPEG unless that is the final edit. That's because each time a JPEG image is saved, some of the image is compressed and, therefore, some image quality is lost.

 

TIFF

 

TIFF stands for Tagged Image File Format and has the file extension .tif. For the photographer who wants no loss of image data and, therefore, a higher quality unedited photo than JPEG offers, TIFF is the way to go. TIFF is compatible with a lot of hardware and sofrware. The drawbacks of TIFFare its very large files and that it is usually offfered only on DSLRs and high-end compact cameras.

TIFF files can be compressed using LZW (Limpel-Zev-Welch) compression. LZW compression is termed lossless, which means that no image information is lost. However, it is suggested that compression of TIFF images be limited to illustrations. Do not use it for color photos.

RAW

 

RAW. The RAW file extension is .raw. It is an alternative to TIFF. Even though TIFF files retain all the information captured by the camera, they do make use of in-camera processing. RAW files, on the other hand, retain all image date without using in-camera processing. RAW images are, therefore, unprocessed images that contain all the data captured by the camera's sensor.
Working with RAW is time-consuming, however, because all images need post-shooting processing. But RAW is the universally accepted file format for most professional photographers. They use it because it gives them complete control over how their images will look. But there is no universal RAW format. That is where DNG comes in.

 

DNG

 

DNG stands for Digital Negative and its extension is .dng. This format was developed by Adobe Systems in an attempt to establish a universal file format for storing RAW files for posterity. Since most RAW software is manufactuer-specific, Adobe has developed a RAW system that is not camera-specific.

 

information from suite101.com

 

 

 

Black and White Photography

Black and white photography

Funnily enough, in the age of digital SLR's and highly colored computer graphics, black and white photography seems to be re-emerging as a strong trend. Many new photographers presume that all they need to do is take the shot in black and white to start with, using the onboard monochrome camera setting. If only black and white photography was that easy. Like any style of photography, it takes practise. Otherwise, you could end up with a photo that seems flat and lifeless.

Black and White Photography Tips

 1.Shoot in RAW

I know many readers of DPS can’t shoot in RAW (because their photo camera doesn’t offer it) or don’t shoot in RAW (because they either don’t know how or don’t like to) but for the most control in the post production phase of converting your color images into black and white ones – you’ll want to shoot in RAW if your photo camera does allow it. Of course shooting in JPEG doesn’t stop you shooting in black and white – but if it’s an option, give RAW a go, you might be surprised by what it offers you in post production

 2.Low ISO

Shoot with the lowest possible ISO possible. While this is something that most of us do in color photography it is particularly important when it comes to black and white where noise created by ISO can become even more obvious. If you’re after this ‘noise’ (or grain) you can always add it later in your post production – but it’s harder to go the other way and take noise out. 

3.When to Shoot 

Many digital photographers actually prefer to shoot images for Black and White in low contrast situations. So an dark or overcast day can be a great time to shoot out door shots.
Ironically these are the days that those who shoot only in color sit at home complaining about the ‘poor light’. So next time you find yourself with a dark and gloomy day – shoot some black and white shots.

 

4.Composition 

 

Most of the general tips on how to compose or frame a good shot apply just as well to black and white photography as they do when shooting in color – however the main obvious difference is that you’re unable to use color to lead the eye into or around your shot. This means you need to train yourself to look at shapes, tones and textures in your frame as points of interest. Pay particularly attention to shadows and highlights which will become a feature of your shot

Black and  White photogpahy gallery

Gary Winogrand

Toni Frissell

Maurizio Polese

Sally Mann

Gabriele Caretti

 

 

 

 

information from smashingmagazine.com