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Shooting Raw Digital Files vs. JPGs
Shooting in the raw mode gives you almost twice the amount of data per shot compared to shooting in the JPG mode. This delivers better detail in all the images. Bright highlights that are overexposed in the raw mode are about 3-5 times more restorable compared to shooting jpg’s, and that extra data also gives you nicer detail in darker shadow areas also. Having that significant increase in image data makes all the difference in critical shadow and highlight adjustability. These are the most significant advantages of raw files. There are other adjustments in raw that are extremely useful, especially for adjusting skin tones. The color temperature adjustment panel allows us to tweak color balance much more easily and precisely. The result is pleasing skin tones and accurate colors throughout. Many people comment that digital photography often produces unnatural tones. This is due to either improper white balance, a low quality camera sensor and hard/firmware, or often from multiple light sources hitting the subject. The raw mode can correct an improper white balance very well, and a jpg file can very often be an absolute nightmare to correct. Multiple light source problems are much more difficult to correct with jpg or raw, but the bottom line is that you have way more data and thus much more control, quality, tools and options with raw files, and this produces images with significantly less noise, and much more shadow and highlight detail, which is what is generally missing in digital photography vs film photography.
In the raw mode, we can be a little or even a lot over-exposed and restore detail in those critical bright areas (highlights). This is possible due to the additional data present in the raw files. This is a very wonderful benefit because shooting a live, outdoor wedding means it is easier to be a tad over or under exposed due to the sun’s light output changing very rapidly without notice under an often very demanding work environment.
Another reason for shooting in the raw mode is that this allows us to use manual exposure most of the time. Many photographers use automatic exposure exclusively so as to have fewer under or overexposed shots when dealing with rapidly changing lighting, but the tradeoff is that with automatic exposure your camera doesn't know which areas to expose for when there are bright and dark areas in the same shot, as is often the case in outdoor situations in Hawaii. Photographers who rely on automatic exposure will often deal with this by blasting everything with strong fill-in flash to even out the lighting, but the resulting lighting often looks harsh and artifical. The best way to get natural looking results in contrasty lighting situations is to use manual exposure, with gentle flash lightening up the darkest areas. Using the raw mode allows us to even out the lighting still more in a way that looks more natural than with flash, and enables us to correct for all but the most severe exposure mistakes.
The good news is that at A Special Moment Photography & Video, we shoot exclusively in the raw mode. It is twice the work and time for us after your Wedding, but the results are so wonderful for you that we have committed ourselves to shoot only raw files. Our rates did not go up one penny from our commitment to shooting 100% raw. We invite you to inquire with many different professional photographers asking if they shoot raw. You will find that almost no one does, and the reason is that it takes twice as much time to process and adjust the files. Please consider the accurate and honest information presented here while hearing all the compelling excuses why most pros will say shooting raw is unnecessary and a waste of time. This is simply their way of saving significant amounts of their precious time, thus giving you less of a finished product and making more profit. Yes, their work that they show you is fabulous, but what about the many jpg files that were beyond correction which they would never show you? And if you look closely, you may find that in many shots the bride's white dress and other bright areas are completey washed out with no detail. We absolutely want you to be happy with our work long after your wedding day, and this is why we are so successful, and so loved by our clients. We really enjoy our “work” and it shows.
About our Equipment and Philosophy
For wedding work, our favorite system is the Fuji S5. If we had to shoot only jpg’s with this camera, we would not employ it, as it is a bit tempermental on color balance, but shooting raw is another world with the S5. Those subtle color balance issues are not an issue when shooting raw. The sensor is where Fuji put all their R & D. No one else has as much dynamic range as Fuji (400%), which renders the best image quality possible in strong, contrasty outdoor lighting situations in Hawaii, and of course in more desireable lighting as well. Noise levels are very impressive, again due to their tremendous commitment to image quality. Canon is a great system, but Fuji skin tones are much nicer in our professional opinion. We use Canon on commercial shoots exclusively, and sometimes our clients request Canon for many personal reasons, including Canon’s massive file size. We offer you either system with a full explanation and comparison of each if desired, just ask!
Our philosophy is simple, yet it takes an enormous amount of energy to deliver it in real life: Make the experience extremely pleasurable, spontaneous and free from irritation or slowdown.
Only a seasoned professional can deliver this experience with the pressures of time, constantly changing light conditions and the general frenetic pace of todays modern weddings. We smooth out everything as much as any sensitive and conscientious human being can to make your wedding as pleasurable as possible. We all know that stuff happens no matter how well you plan your wedding day, and that stress often will manifest for you. This is why you hire a pro for your wedding photography. No one else has the experience to deliver the grace under pressure and finished product under these demanding conditions. No one is with you on your wedding day as much as your photographer, which is why a good one has a wonderful “bedside manner” and is expert at insulating you from anything and everything that is thrown your way.