RAW or raw?

[kalisti]

This has probably been raised before in these forums, but surely, raw is not an abbreviation or acronym? I’ve always thought that while JPEG is an abbreviation of Joint Photographic Experts Group, raw simply means that the data from the camera has not yet been processed (or “cooked”) yet, and therefore, the word should not be capitalised?

That's been my understanding, too. Raw Therapee offers this explanation:

1. The word “raw” is a plain word. It is not an acronym or an initialism. As such, the usual noun capitalization rules apply. Writing RAW is incorrect. If starting a sentence, capitalize the first letter, leave the other two in lowercase. If in the middle of a sentence, all letters should be lowercase.

I think the boat has probably sailed on this question, but I shall continue to be pedantic and refer to raw files!

I'm thinking that your writing raw in lowercase letters is simply being correct. Offering unsolicited correction or criticism of someone else's choosing to use all caps might be pedantic.

Raw Therapee is an authority? They can’t even spell therapy correctly…

XD

 

[Dick Dastardly]

Most raw shooters are angry and go into defensive mode whenever asked why not shoot jepg, so their response is "I shoot RAW because it's BETTER", in this case the capital letters are meant to prove the point in question.

Jpeg users on the other hand have nothing to prove, everybody uses jpeg files, even raw shooters. Otherwise they can't even view their own files. So we don't need to say JPEG, as if it's something extraordinary, even if it's an acronym.

So yeah, i understand their frustration.

 

[Chris Noble]

This has probably been raised before in these forums, but surely, raw is not an abbreviation or acronym? I’ve always thought that while JPEG is an abbreviation of Joint Photographic Experts Group, raw simply means that the data from the camera has not yet been processed (or “cooked”) yet, and therefore, the word should not be capitalised? I think the boat has probably sailed on this question, but I shall continue to be pedantic and refer to raw files!

It's neither an acronym (RAW) nor a common noun (raw, or uncooked). Its a term that in a photography context refers specifically to unprocessed photo files, so it's a proper noun, which are capitalized, so the correct expression (if you care) is Raw.

 

[Redhenry]

Most raw shooters are angry and go into defensive mode whenever asked why not shoot jepg, so their response is "I shoot RAW because it's BETTER", in this case the capital letters are meant to prove the point in question.

You missed out, “and nobody who shoots jpegs could possibly call themself a photographer.”

 

[Chris Noble]

Most raw shooters are angry and go into defensive mode whenever asked why not shoot jepg, so their response is "I shoot RAW because it's BETTER", in this case the capital letters are meant to prove the point in question.

Jpeg users on the other hand have nothing to prove, everybody uses jpeg files, even raw shooters. Otherwise they can't even view their own files. So we don't need to say JPEG, as if it's something extraordinary, even if it's an acronym.

So yeah, i understand their frustration.

And yours is apparent. Is it that important to you?

 

[ishwanu]

Jpeg users on the other hand have nothing to prove, everybody uses jpeg files, even raw shooters. Otherwise they can't even view their own files.

RAW (Reconfigurable Architecture Workflow) data doesn't have to be converted to JPEG to be viewed. And some people get their photos in HEIC/HEIF form, which is neither RAW nor JPEG.

I treat all file types with respect, so I use upper case for all of them: RAW, JPEG, HEIC, HEIF, TIFF, DNG, etc.

 

[FrancoD]

This has probably been raised before in these forums, but surely, raw is not an abbreviation or acronym? I’ve always thought that while JPEG is an abbreviation of Joint Photographic Experts Group, raw simply means that the data from the camera has not yet been processed (or “cooked”) yet, and therefore, the word should not be capitalised?

That's been my understanding, too. Raw Therapee offers this explanation:

1. The word “raw” is a plain word. It is not an acronym or an initialism. As such, the usual noun capitalization rules apply. Writing RAW is incorrect. If starting a sentence, capitalize the first letter, leave the other two in lowercase. If in the middle of a sentence, all letters should be lowercase.

I think the boat has probably sailed on this question, but I shall continue to be pedantic and refer to raw files!

I'm thinking that your writing raw in lowercase letters is simply being correct. Offering unsolicited correction or criticism of someone else's choosing to use all caps might be pedantic.

The reason why most camera companies and others write that in capital letter is exactly to distinguish the word from the generic term raw.

Somewhat, as I pointed out before,lie Parmesan cheese when made by others is referred to as parmesan as indeed when people do when they hoover the floor not using a Hoover.

 

[grsnovi]

Parmesan cheese when made by others is referred to as parmesan

With the small "p" it usually has cellulose added as a filler.

 

[FrancoD]

Parmesan cheese when made by others is referred to as parmesan

With the small "p" it usually has cellulose added as a filler.

BTW, I meant to write Parmigiano, not parmesan.

Parmesan is in fact the word mostly used on al the non Parmigiano Reggiano versions.

 

[Ron Poelman]

Either through common usgage, or inevitable conclusion (it stands for more than "grist for JPEG"). No amount of pedantry has ever stopped language self-adjusting.

 

[J A C S]

I think the boat has probably sailed on this question, but I shall continue to be pedantic and refer to raw files!

Can my Word files be raw? Is "raw" here a noun or an adjective?

 

[Plankowner110]

Ask the afro hair guy, fro knows. "I shoot RAW"

 

[FrancoD]

I think the boat has probably sailed on this question, but I shall continue to be pedantic and refer to raw files!

Can my Word files be raw? Is "raw" here a noun or an adjective?

that has always been my point but somehow some don't see it that way.

 

[ZorSy]

 

[drusus]

This has probably been raised before in these forums, but surely, raw is not an abbreviation or acronym? I’ve always thought that while JPEG is an abbreviation of Joint Photographic Experts Group, raw simply means that the data from the camera has not yet been processed (or “cooked”) yet, and therefore, the word should not be capitalised? I think the boat has probably sailed on this question, but I shall continue to be pedantic and refer to raw files!

The word RAW needs to be all-capitalized because RAW files have MORE INFORMATION than jpeg files. This is something that photographers who save in RAW format should be PROUD of, and should shout LOUD and CLEAR to the world.

Some of us go one step beyond, and save in both RAW and JPEG format. That's EVEN MORE information, deserving of EVEN LOUDER shouting. That's when JPEG should also be capitalized, because while jpeg alone stores a few hundred megabytes of information (therefore lower case), when jpeg it adds to the TREMENDOUS AMOUNT of information that RAW provides, JPEG deserves to be SHOUTED about too.

 

[FrancoD]

Just to annoy some, I'll point out that even Leica (and pretty much all of the camera companies) use RAW, but the very simple idea that it is written in capital letters to avoid confusing it with the adjective raw is apparently hard to digest for some.

BTW , it does not bother me if someone does write it as raw, I am just pointing out why it is written as RAW.

and...no, raw does not just mean uncooked, in fact there are at least seven different types of meanings , for example the secondmost common has to do with abrasion (sore,red,inflamed,painful,sensitive...) the third is about an emotion or quality (strong , intense ,passionate...) but look it up for yourselves, the point is tht it can mean a lot of different things apart from a digitl format.

 

[GeoffRG]

I don't think it really matters. I do like the look of all caps better. Using all caps lets me know we are not talking about uncooked food.

Just “uncooked” images

 

[jimdelves]

To me, a RAW file is a file taken by the camera that includes the full spectrum of information captured by the sensor, as opposed to a jpg.

A raw file is one that has not been edited by the person who took it. It could be a jpg, RAW or other file that they’ve processed.

So there’s no confusion in my mind, and RAW is clearly correct as it clarifies the type of file.



Grammar has nothing to do with it.

 

[Chris Noble]

Just to annoy some, I'll point out that even Leica (and pretty much all of the camera companies) use RAW, but the very simple idea that it is written in capital letters to avoid confusing it with the adjective raw is apparently hard to digest for some.

The translators of German and Japanese camera manuals are famous for mangling the English language. I would not use them as references for English grammar.

 

[Supisiche]

This has probably been raised before in these forums, but surely, raw is not an abbreviation or acronym? I’ve always thought that while JPEG is an abbreviation of Joint Photographic Experts Group, raw simply means that the data from the camera has not yet been processed (or “cooked”) yet, and therefore, the word should not be capitalised? I think the boat has probably sailed on this question, but I shall continue to be pedantic and refer to raw files!

The word RAW needs to be all-capitalized because RAW files have MORE INFORMATION than jpeg files. This is something that photographers who save in RAW format should be PROUD of, and should shout LOUD and CLEAR to the world.

Some of us go one step beyond, and save in both RAW and JPEG format. That's EVEN MORE information, deserving of EVEN LOUDER shouting. That's when JPEG should also be capitalized, because while jpeg alone stores a few hundred megabytes of information (therefore lower case), when jpeg it adds to the TREMENDOUS AMOUNT of information that RAW provides, JPEG deserves to be SHOUTED about too.

OK, HOW ARE YOU DOING? TAKE SOME PHOTOS AND HAVE FUN!