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Understanding Digital Image Formats

There are three main digital image file formats: Camera RAW, TIFF, and JPEG. Camera RAW files contain uncompressed data directly from the camera sensor and offer the highest quality for reproductions and archiving, but require conversion. TIFF files also maintain high quality levels like RAW but are compressed. JPEG files are smaller due to lossy compression and are suitable for internet sharing but not archival storage due to generational quality loss from repeated saving.

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kkidcudi
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47 views

Understanding Digital Image Formats

There are three main digital image file formats: Camera RAW, TIFF, and JPEG. Camera RAW files contain uncompressed data directly from the camera sensor and offer the highest quality for reproductions and archiving, but require conversion. TIFF files also maintain high quality levels like RAW but are compressed. JPEG files are smaller due to lossy compression and are suitable for internet sharing but not archival storage due to generational quality loss from repeated saving.

Uploaded by

kkidcudi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Conserve O Gram

August 2008 Number 22/2

Understanding Digital Image Formats

There are dozens of file formats available to Camera RAW files offer the best possible
represent digital images. The type of format starting point for quality reproductions and
used depends upon its intended use. This Con- archiving.
serve O Gram compares the differences between
the three formats: Camera RAW (or other pro- Most camera manufacturers have their own
prietary capture formats), TIFF (Tagged Image version of RAW file formats, for example,
File Format) and JPEG (Joint Photographic Nikon’s proprietary format is NEF. Although
Experts Group). Each of these three formats all camera RAW formats have the same capa-
offers specific advantages for different applica- bilities, the different versions help keep RAW
tions. from being universally used outside of the
photographic and printing professions. Using
Camera RAW or other Proprietary RAW increases the amount of hard drive space
Formats needed to store the large data files compared
with JPG files.
The file format containing the “raw” data is
captured directly from the camera’s digital TIFF (.tif) or Tagged Image File
imaging sensor. It is a digital “negative.” A Format
RAW file receives almost no processing by the
camera and like a film negative, RAW files hold TIFF stands for Tagged Image File Format.
the most data possible of an exposure. TIFF is a flexible output file format used to
store bit-mapped, grayscale and color images.
RAW files must be converted to another file Although not a “negative” version of an image,
format, like TIFF or JPEG, usually as a RGB a TIFF file is almost as big as a RAW file and
(Red, Green, and Blue) file, to obtain editable includes most of the data originally found in a
images. A RGB file contains separated color RAW file. Large TIFF files have the advantage
information in red, green, and blue channels of allowing compression using a relatively loss-
and is most often used to produce prints and less compression process. Although smaller
web images than a RAW, a compressed TIFF file is still too
large for easy delivery over the internet.
RAW files can be manipulated in many differ-
ent ways prior to conversion to an RGB image, The TIFF file format is ideal for producing
including color balance, density and contrast. and storing high-quality images that are used
Working with RAW file format provides com- to produce professional photographic prints,
plete command over the maximum amount exhibit backgrounds, posters, magazines,
of data without loss due to file manipulation. etc. Large TIFF files allow for examining and
National Park Service Conserve O Gram 22/2

enlarging details within the image.


References
JPEG (.jpg) or (Joint Photographic
Experts Group) Fraser, Bruce Real World Camera Raw with
Adobe Photoshop CS2. Peachpit Press, Berkeley,
JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts CA, pp.17-19, 2005.
Group, named after the group that designed
the original file format. JPEG file format is Muse, Mark Digital Image Guide, Harpers
the industry standard for digital image delivery Ferry Center, National Park Service, 2006.
over the internet and for amateur photography. http://www.nps.gov/hfc/products/pubs/#
JPEG is favored because its compression pro-
James L. Carey
duces a reasonable image with a small file size.
Museum Specialist
Digital Imaging Project
JPEG’s compression reduces image files to Sponsored by the Park Museum Management Program
about 5% their normal size with loss due to National Park Service
destructive or “lossy” compression. “Lossy” Harpers Ferry Center
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
means that image information is lost each time
the files are manipulated and saved. This loss
is the result of the decompression and recom-
pression from subsequent saving of the image.
JPEG achieves acceptable quality results for the
internet and amateur photography by success-
fully taking advantage of human eye limita-
tions. JPEG’s generational loss of data means
that it is not favored for professional quality
printing or archival storage. JPEG’s best appli-
cation is for digital image delivery over the
internet.

Note: JPEG files can be readily made from


TIFF files. Therefore, it is recommended that
you capture the largest size TIFF file possible;
and then create a JPEG file from the TIFF file
for printing smaller images, displaying images
in park web exhibits and in the Web Catalog at
www.nps.gov/history/museum.

The Conserve O Gram series is published as a reference on collections The series is distributed to all NPS units and is available to non-
management and curatorial issues. Mention of a product, a man- NPS institutions and interested individuals on line at <http://
ufacturer, or a supplier by name in this publication does not con- www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/conser veo-
stitute an endorsement of that product or supplier by the National gram/cons_toc.html>. For further information and guidance
Park Service. Sources named are not all inclusive. It is suggested concerning any of the topics or procedures addressed in the
that readers also seek alternative product and vendor information series, contact NPS Museum Management Program, 1849 C
in order to assess the full range of available supplies and equipment. Street NW (2265), Washington, DC 20240; (202) 354-2000.

2 Understanding Digital Image Formats

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