JPEG vs. RAW for Street Photography

The Eternal Debate: JPEG vs. RAW

“RAW means you’re a professional, right? I think that’s silly.”

For years, RAW files were my go-to. They were the industry standard—huge, detailed, and endlessly tweakable. But let’s face it, RAW comes with baggage. Import times? Tedious. File sizes? Massive. It worked when I had hours to kill, but those days are over.

Why I Switched to JPEG

Speed & Efficiency:

RAW files are clunky.
Importing thousands of RAW photos after a long day of shooting in places like India? A nightmare.

Straight-Out-of-Camera (SOOC) Magic:

High-contrast black-and-white JPEGs from the Ricoh GR IIIX are stunning.
No need for post-processing. What you see is what you get.

Storage & Backup:

JPEGs are lightweight.
Easier to store, upload, and back up quickly.

Aesthetic and Practical Benefits

JPEGs offer more than just convenience; they capture a unique aesthetic straight out of the camera. With high-contrast settings, especially on the Ricoh GR, the images have a timeless, impactful look that doesn’t need digital tinkering.

“JPEGs are the future—they’re small, lightweight, and aesthetically powerful.”

No More Lightroom

Gone are the days of sitting in front of a computer, dragging sliders in Lightroom. The switch to JPEG means focusing more on shooting and less on editing.

RAW Workflow: Time-consuming.
JPEG Workflow: Instant results.

The Future Is JPEG

In a world that values speed and simplicity, JPEGs reign supreme. They allow photographers to focus on what truly matters: capturing the moment.

“There’s no going back.”

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, consider experimenting with JPEGs. You might find, as I did, that the streamlined workflow and beautiful SOOC results are exactly what you need.

RAW vs. JPEG? For me, JPEG wins every time.