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OK, so what is a "RAW" digital photo file, and more to the point, should you care?

Like many things in life, the answer is both yes and no, depending on your approach to digital photography. If you only care about taking simple snapshots then RAW files are not for you. But, if you are really into post processing, and have hopes of possibly selling your work, in the form of very big enlargements, you may be interested in the benefits of shooting in RAW mode.

A simple explanation of the RAW format is that it leaves you with a completely raw photo file. There is no in camera processing, and, this is the most important part, the files are not compressed to save memory space, as they are in the familiar JPEG format.

All you get is the equivalent of a negative similar to what a film camera produces. The difference is that your "darkroom" is your computer rather than a room full of chemicals and wet processing equipment.

The benefits:

You are totally in control of all aspects of the file, hue, saturation, contrast, white balance, tint, etc, and, you have a much higher resolution image to play with due to the total lack of compression. See the above photos of an enlarged section of low and high compression JPEG images for comparison.

This allows you to make very big enlargements that are still sharp, and that's what people want to hang on their walls.

You can also make all the color corrections you want, much the same as one does in a darkroom with color filters that are used to print conventional negatives. Now you can have prints that are technically perfect, or altered to your heart's content to bring out the best of your creativity.

The deficits:

The files produced in this format are huge, as much as 3-5X bigger, and more, than your typical high resolution, but still compressed JPEG. So you'll need very high capacity memory cards, and a fast computer with oodles of memory.

But, digital camera memory cards are now available with gigantic capacities, as are micro drives, and the prices are falling rapidly, ditto for high speed, large memory computers.

Post processing is also more involved and your usual graphics programs cannot open RAW images, however, higher end cameras are bundled with the required software.

Even if your camera does not offer this option you'll want to know about it because it may be something you'll want on your next digital camera, and you know there will be a new digital camera for you sometime in the future.

If you're serious about digital photography, either as a dedicated amateur, or with the intention of turning pro, RAW images will be a must, so check out this outstanding article that will tell you all you need to know..