Lightroom and jpegs

[digigal]

Just curious, is anyone (except me) using jpegs instead of raw to process in LR? I was happily playing with LR in my little world until (I think Cassie) said I should be using raw lol!
Yes, I have Scott Kelby's book, but haven't read it entirely, just skimmed thru it. I am getting some fantastic effects and was quite happy with it, but need to read up on doing it in raw. Does anyone have a comparison in raw/jpeg?

[Aino]

I have not ventured into RAW yet, and I use jpeg in Lightroom - works for me!!

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Lightroom will definitely work for jpg images. It's just that the majority of the free presets you download are going to give you much different results with a RAW image than a jpg.

When I was working with the 400+ pictures I took of my niece for her senior pictures, I started by touching them up in PS then playing with different presets in LR (because I didn't want to have to retouch every version of every photo). I noticed that running a preset on the original RAW file gave me MUCH different (and much BETTER) results than when I ran it on the retouched version.

Just to test . . . I opened a RAW image in Camera RAW and without making ANY changes, I saved it as a level 12 jpg file. I then put it in LR.

Next, I ran one of Kelsey Smith's B&W presets on the original RAW file (left) and again on the JPG file (right). As you can see, they produce VERY different results.

[digigal]

Thanks, Cassie, interesting - that's what I wanted to see, but IMO I like the jpeg!!

[digigal]

added. . . but I can see where the raw can produce more variations. I just like the more blown out look.

[quilter422]

wow, that is a big difference. i use jpg files right now with lightroom, as i've also not ventured into raw yet. it's a goal to begin by the end of the year.

[Aino]

Oh wow, I had no idea it made SUCH a difference - thanks for pointing that out Cassie! I will definately have to go over to RAW - that looks like fun!

[acdccompton]

Raw will definitely give you the ability to more easily correct any exposure issues your photo may have. That is the only way I shoot and the only file I use in Lightroom. Once you start you may never shoot jpeg again

[digigal]

Originally Posted by acdccompton

Raw will definitely give you the ability to more easily correct any exposure issues your photo may have. That is the only way I shoot and the only file I use in Lightroom. Once you start you may never shoot jpeg again

Thanks! and thanks so much Cassie for going thru the trouble of posting both pictures! So much to learn

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

I know it's tempting to go for that "blown out" look of the jpg, but really look at the lost details. And keep in mind . . . I didn't do ANY adjusting to the contrast/exposure/etc. That is simply a B&W preset run on an original. Just clarifying that I don't think the RAW version is a perfect conversion, lest anyone think I'm crazy. lol

[LauraBean]

Right, Cassie--such a shame to lose those adorable freckles! How cute is she?

To stay more or less on topic--I finally have a camera that can shoot raw and I'm terrified to try. My Lightroom trial just ran out, too.