Product Image Editing: Are RAW Pictures Better for Editing?

At Pixel by Hand, we constantly encourage our clients to opt for RAW instead of other formats when taking pictures. The reason behind this is simple. When your product image is stored in RAW format, it indicates that your camera hasn’t yet processed the image. Consequently, all the data from your sensor remains intact and can be modified later as needed.

This makes it easier for product image editing services like us to make adjustments to color, exposure, and other factors without losing image quality.

Shooting in RAW also allows you to capture more detail in your product images. Since the data from your sensor is unprocessed, there’s more information for us to work with when we’re editing your photos. This results in product images that are sharper and have more detail.

Overall, we believe that shooting in RAW is the best way to get high-quality product images. However, we understand that not everyone is familiar with this format. If you’re not sure whether or not to shoot in RAW, we’ve put together a quick guide to help you make the decision.

In this Guide:

• RAW vs JPEG File Formats
  • What is a RAW photo?
  • What is a JPEG photo?
• What is Best for Product Image Editing?
• e-Commerce Product Image Editing Services by Pixel by Hand

RAW vs JPEG File Formats

The two most popular file formats for digital photos are RAW and JPEG. JPEG is a lossy file format, which means that some of the data from your sensor are lost when the image is compressed. This can result in lower image quality, especially if the image is edited later on.

On the other hand, RAW files are not compressed, so all of the data from your sensor is preserved. This results in higher image quality, which is why we recommend shooting in RAW.
Let’s dive in deeper.

What is a RAW photo?

A RAW photo is an unprocessed image that has not been edited or processed by your camera. RAW files are larger than JPEGs and take up more space on your memory card. This means that you’ll be able to fit fewer photos on your card or make sure you have multiple SD cards on hand.

There are several benefits to shooting in RAW:

1. Higher image quality: Since RAW files are not compressed, they have a higher image quality than JPEGs. This means that your product photos will be sharper and have more detail. This is beneficial especially for e-commerce stores, as shoppers are more likely to purchase products that have high-quality photos.
2. More editing options: RAW files give you more flexibility which comes in handy during post-processing. You can make changes to color, exposure, white balance, and other factors without losing image quality. Editing programs like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom are built for fine-tuning RAWs into polished final photos.
3. Non-destructive editing: When you edit a RAW file, the original file is not changed. This means that you can always go back and make changes to your product photos without losing the original image.
4. Dynamic range: RAW files have a wider dynamic range than JPEGs. This means that you can capture more detail in both the shadows and highlights of your product photos.

What is a JPEG photo?

A JPEG photo is a lossy file format that has been processed by your camera. JPEGs are smaller than RAW files and take up less space on your memory card.

JPEGs have several benefits:

1. Faster to shoot: Since JPEGs are already processed by your camera, they take less time to shoot than RAW files. This can be helpful if you’re shooting products in a fast-paced environment.
2. Easier to share: JPEGs are smaller than RAW files, so they’re easier to share online. You can also email JPEGs without worry that they’ll be too large to send.
3. More compatible: JPEGs are more compatible with web browsers, photo editors, and other software than RAW files. This means that you can open JPEGs in more places without having to convert them first.
4. Automatic white balance: When you shoot in JPEG, your camera automatically applies the correct white balance to your photos. This can be helpful if you’re not familiar with editing white balance in post-processing.

So, which file format should you use? It depends on the purpose of the image. If you are using your product photos for listing on Amazon, Shopify, or Etsy, you may want to shoot in RAW format. This will give you the highest image quality and allow you to make any necessary edits in post-processing.

One of the factors customers consider when making a purchase from an online store is the quality of product photos. If the product photos are not clear or have low resolution, it will give customers a negative impression of your store. As a result, you may lose potential customers and sales.

On the other hand, if you are sharing photos on social media or by email, JPEG format may be a better option. Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have strict file size requirements. If your photos are too large, they will not be accepted. The same goes with email, if a file is too large, it will not be able to send.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide which file format is best for your needs.

What is Best for Product Image Editing?

A good product photo is the result of both a high-quality image and good editing. If you’re planning on doing a lot of editing to your product photos, we recommend shooting in RAW. This way, you’ll have the highest image quality to work with and won’t lose any detail when making changes to your photos.

If you’re not familiar with RAW files, don’t worry—our team of product image editors can help you get the most out of your product photos. We can make adjustments to color, exposure, and other factors to ensure that your photos look their best.

If you want to achieve a natural look for your product photos or don’t plan on doing much editing, JPEG may be the better option for you.

Ultimately, the decision of which file format to use comes down to personal preference and the type of product photos you want to create.

Here are some of the factors you need to consider before deciding between the two formats:

• What is the purpose of the photo?

If you’re planning to use your product images on your website or online store, we recommend shooting in RAW so you can feel confident that your photos are always in high resolution regardless of how much editing you do during post-processing.

On the other hand, if you’re sharing product images on social media or emailing them to clients, JPEG may be a better option. JPEGs are smaller in size and more compatible with web browsers, photo editors, and other software.

• What is your shooting environment?

If you’re shooting in a fast-paced environment, JPEG may be the better option for you. This file format is faster to shoot than RAW, so you won’t miss any important product shots.

• How much editing will you be doing?

If you need to post your images on a variety of platforms or want to make a lot of changes, shooting in RAW format is the way to go. This file type allows you to work with your photos in a more flexible way and results in higher-resolution product pictures compared to JPEG.

• Do you have experience with photo editing software?

If you’re a Photoshop pro, you’ll appreciate the freedom that RAW files provide when it comes to editing your photos. However, if you’re new to photo editing software, JPEG may be a better option since your camera will automatically apply the correct white balance to your photos.

• What is the desired final result?

JPEG is a popular format for generating natural-looking product photos. If you want full control over your product images and the highest possible picture quality, RAW is the way to go.
If you have any questions about which file format is best for your product photos, feel free to reach out to our team of experts. We’re always happy to help!

e-Commerce Product Image Editing Services by Pixel by Hand

When it comes to e-Commerce product image editing, Pixel by Hand is the team you can trust. We have years of experience working with product photos and can help you achieve the desired final result, whether you’re looking for a natural look or want to make a lot of changes to your photos.

For more information about our e-Commerce product image editing services, contact us today! Use the chatbox below and our team will be right there to assist you.

How to Create a Clipping Path in Photoshop

Now that we’ve gone over what clipping paths are and why you should consider using them, let’s take a look at how to create a clipping path in Photoshop.

As we mentioned earlier, clipping paths can be created with the Pen Tool or any of the other shape tools in Photoshop. For the purposes of this quick tutorial, we’ll be using the Pen Tool.

Step 1: Upload your Image after launching Adobe Photoshop
Open your product image in Photoshop. You can do this by going to File > Open.

Step 2: From the main toolbar, select the pen tool
Once your image is open, select the Pen Tool from the Tools palette. Now that you have the Pen Tool selected, zoom in on the area of the image that you want to create a clipping path for.

Step 3: Select a new path
To select a new path, you’ll need to click on the “Create new path” icon in the options bar. This is located just above your image.

Step 4: Start tracing the outline of your subject
Now that you have a new path selected, you can start tracing the outline of your subject. As you trace around the edge of your subject, you’ll see that a path is being created.

To trace the edge of your subject, you’ll need to click around the edge of the image to create anchor points. As you work your way around the image, be sure to zoom in so that you can better see what you’re doing.
It’s important to note that you don’t have to be precise when creating your clipping path. In fact, it’s often better to be slightly imprecise so that you don’t end up with a jagged edge.

Step 5: Once you’ve reached the starting point, close the path
Once you’ve reached the starting point, you’ll need to close the path. To do this, simply click on the starting point. This will create a straight line from the starting point to the end point of your path.

Step 6: Save your path
Now that you’ve created your clipping path, you’ll need to save it. To do this, go to the Paths palette and click on the “Make work path from active layer” icon.

Step 7: Apply your clipping path
Now that you’ve saved your path, you can apply it to your image. To do this, go to the Layers palette and select your image layer. Then, click on the “Add Layer Mask” icon.

Step 8: Select your path
With your layer mask selected, go to the Paths palette and select your path.

Step 9: Inverse your selection
Now that you have your path selected, you’ll need to inverse your selection. To do this, go to Select > Inverse.

Step 10: Fill your layer mask with black
With your inverse selection made, you can now fill your layer mask with black. To do this, go to Edit > Fill and select “Black” from the drop-down menu.

And that’s it! You’ve now successfully created a clipping path in Photoshop.