File Format: Why Camera Settings Matter More Than You Think

Every photographer has a horror story about file formats — the image that wouldn’t open, the one that looked perfect on your phone but dreadful when printed, or the mysterious “unsupported file type”.

At WGPC I see this most often when archiving the upload folder to our portfolio site but it has been a real headache while preparing images for the exhibition catalogue (and later printing).

It’s time for another reminder, with no apology for repeating myself: check your camera settings regularly. The file format you shoot in determines how much detail your image retains, how easy it is to share, and how compatible it will be with editing and printing systems later on.

1. JPG – The Everyday Standard

Best for: Everyday shooting, quick sharing, and social media.

Strengths: Universal compatibility, small file size, instant usability.

Weaknesses: Compression permanently discards image data every time the file is saved. Fine detail and tonal range suffer, especially when edited multiple times.

Recommendation:

Shoot JPG only if storage is limited or you’re unlikely to edit heavily. Always choose the highest quality / least compression option available.

2. TIFF – The Gold Standard for Printing

Best for: Editing, printing, and archiving.

Strengths: Uncompressed (or losslessly compressed), retains all detail and colour accuracy. Supported by most professional printing systems.

Weaknesses: Large files, slower to save and transfer.

Recommendation:

When exporting images for print, use TIFF. File size may be large, but quality and compatibility matter far more.

3. HEIC – Apple’s Space-Saving Trap

Best for: iPhone users who never intend to print or share outside the Apple ecosystem.

Strengths: Excellent compression, smaller file sizes.

Weaknesses: Proprietary format; incompatible with many Windows, Android, and even some professional software systems without conversion.

Recommendation:

On iPhone or iPad go to Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible.

That ensures new images save as JPG, readable by everyone and accepted by the club portfolio system.

4. RAW and DNG – Maximum Data, Maximum Control

Best for: Photographers who edit their images seriously.

Strengths: Captures all sensor data, allowing maximum dynamic range and flexibility in editing.

Weaknesses: Requires compatible software (Lightroom, Photoshop, etc.), and not all RAW types are alike — Canon .CR3, Nikon .NEF, Sony .ARW, etc. are proprietary and may not open in other systems without updates.

Recommendation:

If your camera allows it, set it to RAW + JPG — the JPG gives you a quick view, and the RAW gives you the master file for later refinement.

If available, consider saving as DNG (Digital Negative), which is an open standard supported by Adobe and many archives.

5. For Phone Camera Users

Most smartphones today are capable of producing excellent photos, but only if their settings are configured sensibly.

• For everyday users who mainly share photos online or via the club upload folder:

  Set your phone to save JPG files and turn HEIC and Live Photos off. JPG files are readable on all systems and suitable for printing and the portfolio site.

• For those who edit in apps like Lightroom or Snapseed:

  Shooting in RAW (or DNG) gives far more flexibility to adjust exposure and colour later — but these files are larger and require editing before sharing. Export your final image as a high-quality JPG for upload.

• iPhone users:

  Open Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible to force JPG output.

The rule of thumb is simple:

If you don’t edit, shoot JPG.

If you do edit, shoot RAW/DNG but share JPG.

6. Compatibility and Quality First

When in doubt, choose the setting that preserves quality and ensures compatibility, not the one that saves space.

Storage is cheap; re-shooting or losing detail is not.

At WGPC we routinely handle images from phones, tablets, and cameras of every make. The smoother our sharing process, the better we can focus on what matters — your photography.

So before your next outing, take a moment to check your settings:

• 📸 File type: JPG (high quality) or RAW + JPG

• 🎨 Colour space: sRGB unless you know your workflow supports AdobeRGB

• ⚙️ HEIC and Live Photos: Off

• 💾 Resolution: Full size

It’s a small step that prevents a lot of frustration — and ensures your photos look their best, wherever they’re displayed.