Image Filetypes

File formats and their properties:

Raw filetypes:

Raw files contain the bare essential data, minimally processed, straight from the cameras sensor. They are named raw images due to the fact that they are completely virgin and are as yet unready for print, they are the highest quality the image will be at any point, in its truest state, most vibrant colours, clarity and details, effectively, the image in its purest form. Normally the image would be processed from raw via 'in camera' software into Tiff format or Jpeg format, meaning that they are processed ready for printing, storage or manipulation upon transferring to a computer.

Due to image size, meaning that the raw filetypes taken a longer time to preview, usually 2 copies of the image are produced, for every time an image is captured, in order for a quick view of the image taken. The image labelled '.NEF' is the Nikon camera raw format filetype,

due to so many variations in cameras, processors and camera sensors, all Raw filetypes are different, 

(Some other examples of raw filetypes in different cameras include:

          .cr2 - Canon

          .mef - Mamiya

          .mos - Leaf

          .mrw - Minolta

          .orf - Olympus

Within these filetypes for different manufacturers, there are still)

this means that due to how rapid technology evolves, changes and adapts, raw file types are ever changing and updating, compatible software is always updating, meaning that not always will Raw image files be accepted, so for storage, manipulation and printing other filetypes should be used (like tiff or jpeg).

This is a screen shot portraying the image adjustments of raw images in photoshop, this is a different screen to usual as it gives you the ability to largely change the variables in an image while maintaining a very high standard in image quality and clarity.

Tiff:

Are the filetypes are used for the need of maintaining a high quality in an image,a Tiff format is used exclusively for its traits as a lossless format, or for the ability to compress and change the image size a down side to these file types are that they are very large files and primarily used for printing and displaying work.

Here is an example of the variations in image format, file sizes between Tiff and a lesser quality image format:-Jpeg

The left image is  Tiff format and is 38.8 mob, while the right image is a jpeg and is 5 mob, this means the image on the left has the capabilities of being closely inspected on a large scale and maintaining image quality, while the right hand image quality will deteriorate a lot easier on a smaller scale.

Jpeg:

Is the most widely accepted, default image format. This is the default format that is used by all digital cameras, image recording equipment and image processing software. Jpeg format will decrease the image size, but intelligently, only discarding colours and tones that are not noticeable to the eye, this means that any unneeded information is lost, maintaing the bare essential information, this is a good format for the use of storage and amateur uses of images, but is inferior to tiff in the way that information is lost, restricting image quality. Many image editing softwares actually let the user personally adjust compression or to not allow compression on the image.

BMP:

Is a filetype formulated by Microsoft, this format does not decrease quality in an image but is not a widely recognised as Jpeg and Tiff formats, making this format pointless to use.

Gif: 

A file type used purely for the basis of internet, email and minimal storage, this filetype greatly decreases the image quality, removing  most of the details and colours.

PNG:

This image format, is similar to a tiff image, although it compresses image size by removing patterns within the image that aren't needed. Although this is the idea of the format, these changes can be reversed.

PSD(Photoshop file format)/PSP(Paint shop pro file format) etc.:

These are the filetypes in which image editing software uses (prefers) during manipulation of an image. When saving in these file types, the file size will be a lot bigger than the equivalent tiff or jpeg image as no compressions have been made, this includes retaining all layers and history of image while being used in the program. Although these filetypes cannot easily be used for printing, storage, etc. they should always be used (when available) as a temporary file type while image is not yet completed, in order to retain all the vital information an to serve as a reminder that the image is yet to be completed. Once manipulation of the image is finalised, the images should be saved as tiff or jpeg files as (like raw format) software is always updating and these filetypes may not always be recognised.