Quick answer: A RAW photo is the unprocessed data from a camera's sensor, kept so photographers can adjust exposure and colour later without losing quality.
RAW photo explained
A RAW photo is the data a camera's sensor recorded, saved before the camera turns it into a finished picture. Each camera maker has its own RAW format: CR2 and CR3 for Canon, NEF for Nikon, ARW for Sony, and DNG, an open format used by Adobe and by Apple ProRAW. A RAW file needs editing software to turn it into a JPG or TIFF.
RAW files are big, often tens of megabytes each, and a shoot can produce hundreds of them. Email, messaging apps and social networks either refuse them or convert them to small JPGs.
To send RAW files, put them in a ZIP so the batch stays together, and send it with a link that keeps every byte. Include a few JPG previews if the recipient does not have RAW software.
RAW vs JPG
| RAW | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Sensor data, not yet processed | A finished, compressed picture |
| Room for editing | Lots: exposure, white balance and shadows can be pushed a long way | Limited: big changes show banding and noise |
| File size | Large | Much smaller |
| Opens on | Editing software that supports that camera | Every phone, computer and browser |
Many photographers shoot RAW and JPG together: the JPG for quick sharing, the RAW for serious editing.
Worked example: sending a shoot
Say a shoot produced 300 RAW files of about 25 MB each. That is 300 × 25 = 7,500 MB, about 7.5 GB. Zipping will not make it much smaller, because RAW files are usually already compressed.
On a 20 Mbps upload: 7.5 GB is 7.5 × 8,000 = 60,000 megabits. Divided by 20, that is 3,000 seconds, about 50 minutes in ideal conditions. Start the upload before a break rather than right before a deadline.
Common problems and fixes
- The recipient's software will not open the files: new camera models need up-to-date software. Updating usually fixes it, or the files can be converted to DNG with Adobe's free DNG Converter.
- Edits are missing: some programs keep edits in small .xmp sidecar files next to the RAW. Include them in the ZIP.
- The photo looks low quality on a phone: phones often show only a small preview stored inside the RAW. The full data is still there.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open RAW files on my phone?
Some photo apps can, but support varies by camera model. JPG previews are safer for quick viewing.
Should I zip RAW files before sending?
Yes, for convenience. They will not shrink much, but a ZIP keeps the batch and any sidecar files together.
Is DNG better than other RAW formats?
DNG is an open, documented format that many programs can read, which helps long-term compatibility. Camera-specific formats hold the same kind of sensor data.
Why does the same RAW photo look different in different apps?
Each app applies its own default processing to the sensor data, so colours and contrast can vary until you edit the photo.
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