📷 Why Shoot in RAW?

A Field Guide for Ethical Documentarians and Intentional Storytellers

In a world saturated with instant filters and compressed narratives, shooting in RAW is a quiet act of resistance. It’s a commitment to fidelity, nuance, and the possibility of reinterpretation. For those working at the intersection of history, sovereignty, and memory, RAW isn’t just a format—it’s a philosophy.

🌄 What Is RAW?

RAW files are unprocessed digital negatives. Unlike JPEGs, which are compressed and edited in-camera, RAW preserves every bit of sensor data. This gives you full control over how the image is interpreted—now and in the future.

JPEG from Camera

JPEG from RAW in LR

🔍 Advantages of Shooting in RAW

1. Maximum Image Quality

• Preserves full resolution and fine detail

• Avoids in-camera sharpening or compression artefacts

• Ideal for large prints, archival work, and visual essays

2. Expanded Dynamic Range

• Recover blown highlights and deep shadows

• Maintain tonal subtlety in high-contrast scenes

• Essential for temple interiors, foggy landscapes, or border zones

3. Non-Destructive Editing

• Edits are metadata-based and reversible

• Original file remains untouched

• Enables ethical revisioning and long-term reinterpretation

4. Precise White Balance Control

• Adjust colour temperature post-capture

• Correct casts without degrading quality

• Match emotional tone with historical context

5. Greater Colour Depth

• 12–14 bit colour vs. JPEG’s 8-bit

• Up to 4.3 trillion colours for smoother gradients

• Crucial for documenting subtle textures and layered environments

6. Archival Integrity

• Preserves full scene data for future use

• Supports evolving post-processing techniques

• Aligns with living archives and long-term educational goals

🧭 When RAW Matters Most

• Low-light or high-contrast environments

• Contested heritage sites or postcolonial landscapes

• Teaching modules on ethical editing and visual literacy

• Projects requiring restraint, revision, and historical fidelity

🛠 RAW Workflow Tips

• Use software like Lightroom, Capture One, or Darktable for editing

• Always back up your RAW files—consider cloud + external drive

• Create sidecar files or export versions for sharing, but keep the RAW intact

• Consider converting to DNG for long-term compatibility

🧠 Final Thought

Shooting in RAW is not about perfection—it’s about possibility. It’s about honouring the complexity of a moment, resisting the flattening of history, and leaving space for future interpretation. In your work, Ian, RAW supports the kind of storytelling that listens deeply and sees clearly.