How2 Keep Your Picture Files From Degrading:

 

Your JPEG photos are not degraded when you merely open the files. Rather, they degrade every time you edit and save them.

The JPEG format uses lossy compression. Compression is used to keep file sizes small; it's very common with photo formats. However, some data is discarded when JPEGs are compressed; hence the "lossy" part. And, each time you save a JPEG photo, it is further compressed. That means you

lose a little data every time.

Fortunately, most people do not notice the change in image quality. So, the JPEG format is suitable for most users. That's why the format has become standard for digital cameras. In fact, many cameras only use the JPEG format.

I do have a couple of pointers for getting the most out of JPEGs:

1. First, make sure your camera is taking pictures at the highest quality level. In most cases, this will be super fine. Consult your manual if you need help changing the quality setting.
2. Next, pay attention when you save your photos during the editing process. When you click save, most programs let you adjust image quality. Always opt for the highest possible quality. This will help reduce image deterioration.

Now, let's talk about other image formats. If image quality is paramount, I recommend the RAW format. No data will be lost when you save a file. You also have more control when you edit photos. It is easy to tweak exposure, white balance and the like.

There is a downside to the RAW format. RAW files can be a hassle for casual photographers. You need software. And there's a good chance your camera doesn't support RAW. To learn more about shooting in RAW, check my informative tip.

Another option is the TIFF format. It uses lossless compression. TIFF files can be quite large. But you won't lose any image data. Your camera probably doesn't support TIFFs. But you can convert JPEGs to TIFF on your computer. Do this before editing, and you won't worry about data loss!

IrfanView is a nice little editor. It is perfect for converting your photos to different formats. You can download it from this site.     From the Kim Komando Show Electronic Newsletter-March 7, 2009

I haven’t tried the InfanView photo editor mentioned in the above article but the program I use is also free and compares to the expensive $400 to $500 editors like PhotoShop and Photo Elements.  I’ve been using it for years now and the features are great.  It does take a little practice though but how much depends on how complicated the work is you want to do.  The program is Paint.Net and you can download it for free from http://paint.net/ .  They have online forums and discussion boards for support as well as online tutorials.

The banner for my ‘IndyDirtySocks’ blog [below] is an example of what you can do with paint.net.     GlennDL