title: "Product Image Editing: Are RAW Pictures Better for Editing?" date: 2024-08-28 slug: /are-raw-pictures-better-for-editing word_count: 2100 images: 5
Product Image Editing: Are RAW Pictures Better for Editing?
Table of Contents
- RAW vs JPEG File Formats
- What Is a RAW Photo?
- What Is a JPEG Photo?
- What Is Best for Product Image Editing?
- How to Create a Clipping Path in Photoshop
- eCommerce Product Image Editing Services by Pixel by Hand
- FAQ
At Pixel by Hand, we always recommend shooting in RAW format when photographing products. The reason is straightforward: with RAW, your product shot remains untouched because the camera hasn't processed it. All the sensor data is preserved, giving you — or your editing team — the maximum flexibility to perfect it afterwards.
This makes it far easier for product image editing services like ours to adjust colour, exposure, and other settings without losing image quality.
Shooting in RAW also captures more detail. Since the sensor data is unprocessed, there's more information to work with during editing, resulting in sharper images with finer detail.
Overall, RAW is the best format for achieving high-quality product images. However, we understand not everyone is familiar with it. If you're unsure whether to shoot in RAW, this guide will help you make the right decision.
Not sure which format to use? Start your free trial — send us your images in any format and our editors will handle the rest.
RAW vs JPEG File Formats
The two most popular file formats for digital photos are RAW and JPEG. JPEG is a lossy format — some sensor data is discarded when the image is compressed, which can result in lower image quality, especially if the image is edited later.
RAW files, on the other hand, are not compressed. All sensor data is preserved, resulting in higher image quality. This is why we recommend RAW for product photography.
Let's look at each format in more detail.
What Is a RAW Photo?
A RAW photo is an unprocessed image that hasn't been edited or compressed by your camera. RAW files are larger than JPEGs and take up more space on your memory card, so you'll fit fewer photos per card — keep spare SD cards handy.
Benefits of shooting in RAW:
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Higher image quality: RAW files aren't compressed, so they deliver sharper product photos with more detail. For eCommerce, where image quality directly influences purchasing decisions, this matters enormously.
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More editing flexibility: RAW files allow adjustments to colour, exposure, white balance, and other settings without degrading quality. Editing programmes like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are purpose-built for fine-tuning RAW files into polished final images.
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Non-destructive editing: When you edit a RAW file, the original remains unchanged. You can always revert to the original and make different adjustments — nothing is permanently altered.
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Greater dynamic range: RAW files capture more detail in both shadows and highlights, giving editors significantly more latitude when balancing exposure.
What Is a JPEG Photo?
A JPEG photo is a compressed file format that's been processed by your camera. JPEGs are smaller than RAW files and take up less storage space.
Benefits of JPEG:
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Faster to shoot: JPEGs are pre-processed by your camera, so they're quicker to capture — useful in fast-paced shooting environments.
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Easier to share: Smaller file sizes make JPEGs easier to email, upload, and share online.
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More compatible: JPEGs work with virtually every web browser, photo editor, and software application without conversion.
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Automatic white balance: Your camera applies white balance correction automatically, which can be helpful if you're less experienced with post-processing.
So, which format should you use?
It depends on purpose. If you're shooting product photos for listing on Amazon, Shopify, or Etsy, shoot in RAW. This gives you the highest quality and maximum editing flexibility.
If you're sharing photos on social media or via email — where file size limits apply and extensive editing isn't needed — JPEG may be the more practical choice.
What Is Best for Product Image Editing?
A great product photo is the result of both a high-quality source image and skilled editing. If you plan to do significant editing, we strongly recommend shooting in RAW — you'll have the highest quality to work with and won't lose detail when making adjustments.
If you're not familiar with RAW files, that's absolutely fine. Our team at Pixel by Hand can work with any format and will get the best possible result from your images.
Key factors to consider when choosing a format:
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What is the purpose of the photo? For website and online store listings, RAW ensures high resolution survives any amount of editing. For social media and email, JPEG's smaller file size is often more practical.
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What is your shooting environment? In fast-paced environments, JPEG's quicker capture speed can be an advantage.
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How much editing will be needed? Extensive editing calls for RAW. Minor adjustments work fine with JPEG.
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Do you have experience with editing software? Experienced editors will appreciate RAW's flexibility. Beginners may find JPEG's automatic processing more convenient.
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What is the desired final result? For full control and the highest possible quality, RAW is the clear choice. For natural-looking images with minimal post-processing, JPEG delivers solid results.
How to Create a Clipping Path in Photoshop
Clipping paths are a fundamental technique in product image editing. Here's a step-by-step guide using the Pen Tool.
Step 1: Open your product image in Photoshop (File > Open).
Step 2: Select the Pen Tool from the Tools palette.
Step 3: Click "Create new path" in the options bar above your image.
Step 4: Trace the outline of your subject by clicking around the edges to create anchor points. Zoom in for precision, but don't worry about being pixel-perfect — slight imprecision often produces smoother edges than a jagged, overly precise path.
Step 5: Close the path by clicking on your starting point.
Step 6: Save your path via the Paths palette — click "Make work path from active layer".
Step 7: Apply the clipping path: go to the Layers palette, select your image layer, then click "Add Layer Mask".
Step 8: With the layer mask selected, go to the Paths palette and select your path.
Step 9: Inverse the selection (Select > Inverse).
Step 10: Fill the layer mask with black (Edit > Fill > Black).
Your clipping path is now applied, isolating your product from the background.
eCommerce Product Image Editing Services by Pixel by Hand
When it comes to eCommerce product image editing, Pixel by Hand is the team you can trust. With over 10 years' experience and 380+ clients worldwide, we help businesses achieve polished, professional product imagery — regardless of whether you shoot in RAW or JPEG.
For more information about our eCommerce product image editing services, get in touch with our team today.
Ready to improve your product images? Send us your images for a free sample edit — no obligation, no credit card required.
FAQ
Is RAW always better than JPEG for product photography? For editing purposes, yes. RAW preserves all sensor data, giving editors far more flexibility. However, if you need quick turnaround with minimal editing, JPEG is perfectly adequate.
Can Pixel by Hand work with JPEG images? Absolutely. Whilst RAW gives us more to work with, our editors achieve excellent results with JPEG files too. Send us whatever you have and we'll make the most of it.
Do I need special software to open RAW files? Yes. RAW files require compatible software such as Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One, or your camera manufacturer's own software. Most free image viewers don't support RAW natively.
How much larger are RAW files compared to JPEG? RAW files are typically 3–5 times larger than equivalent JPEGs. A 20-megapixel camera might produce 25 MB RAW files versus 5–8 MB JPEGs.
Should I shoot in both RAW and JPEG simultaneously? Many cameras offer a RAW+JPEG mode that captures both formats simultaneously. This gives you the flexibility of RAW for editing and the convenience of JPEG for quick sharing — at the cost of using more storage space.