When and how to shoot in RAW mode on your phone
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Mobile photography has become impressive over the last decade. From pixilated images on your Motorola Razr to shots that rival professional photography, the meteoric rise of smartphone camera technology has given way to a bounty of amateur enthusiasts that want to get the most out of their images. And while the basics ofhow smartphone cameras workare straightforward, tools like RAW image files are a bit more complicated. Still, if you know how and when to shoot in RAW, it’s possible to take your mobile photography game to another level with devices like theGoogle Pixel 6 Pro or the Samsung S22 Ultra.
If you’re willing to put in the time to edit and process your smartphone pictures, using your device’s RAW photography features could be what you’re looking for. In this guide, we explain what a RAW image file is, why you should shoot in RAW, and how to use your Android device to shoot pictures in RAW.
What is RAW?
RAW files are uncompressed and unprocessed image files that allow for a more forgiving editing process. As long as you have a device that can take and support RAW photos, you can take pictures in this format that are supported by the majority of smartphones and other devices. Yes, there are some limitations and extra steps toward shooting and viewing these image files. However, if you want the ability to more effectively and noticeably edit your photos, RAW is better than the more common and often default JPEG option.
Why shoot in RAW?
The only reason you should be shooting your pictures in RAW is if you plan to edit and process them after the fact. Shooting your images in RAW and letting them sit on your smartphone is a waste of time and a waste of space, as RAW image files are bigger than their compressed JPEG counterparts. Subsequently, shoot in RAW if you’re looking to edit or process your photos.
To be more specific, RAW image files are more malleable when it comes to software like Photoshop. They allow you to edit things like contrast, highlights, tones, and other photographic elements to a more noticeable end. RAW image files are designed to be large, uncompressed, and primed for editing. Subsequently, if you aren’t looking to seriously edit your photos, RAW isn’t for you. In most cases, you won’t be able to properly utilize your RAW image files without some processing, so amateur smartphone photographers can safely steer clear of the format.
How to shoot in RAW on your Android
How do you shoot in RAW with your Android device? The process of getting copies of your photos in RAW is simple. Follow the steps below, and you’ll be able to shoot photos in RAW, and you’ll be able to toggle between shooting in RAW and shooting in JPEG, which can save storage space. Walk through these steps, and you’ll be taking pictures in RAW for your editing needs in no time.
RAW images are large. To avoid clogging up your digital storage, turn this setting off as a default. Then, you won’t be inundated with copies of your photos that you have no plan to edit or process. When you’re in photography mode, you can easily turn it on.
Shooting in RAW
And there you have it. You’re now able to shoot your pictures as JPEG and RAW with the click of a button. Even better, you can easily toggle between shooting in RAW and JPEG and just JPEG, allowing you to shoot more editable pictures when you need to and save on storage when you don’t. Check out ourbest Androids phone listto find the best cameras to shoot in RAW.
For more tips, tricks, and tales about mobile photography, check out the rest of Android Police’sMobile Photography Week 2022coverage. All week, we’ll cover one of the most important aspects of smartphones: the camera. You’ll find how-to guides, explainers, deep dives, and more into where smartphone cameras are right now and where they’re heading in the near future.
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