It is important to know the format that is ideal for photos of different genres, especially when it comes to the provision of photo post-production services. In the professional world of photo editing and photo retouching, formats like JPG, PNG, and TIFF are the most extensively used file formats. These are used for printing, photo retouching and other manipulations of digital photos.

Overview of Image File Formats

1. JPG
2. TIFF
3. GIF
4. PNG
5. PSD
6. PDF
7. EPS
8. AI Format
9. INDD Format
10. RAW Image Format

Read on to know the differences among different image file formats used in photos.

1. JPG (.jpg)

   JPG file format is one of the most popular file formats when you consider image retouching. Whether you deal with headshot retouching or general image retouching, photos are saved in this particular format. A large number of websites also use JPG format in the images. Besides, photos captured in digital cameras are stored in this format. The key reason for the popularity of this format is that the size of files is not too large and they can be stored easily. It is also possible to make the date appear smaller so that the attention lies primarily in the image. Pages in websites load faster if the images are small in size. Heavy images make the website slow. Due to the small storage size of these images, these are widely used in websites. Evidently, the JPG format is used when the minimum size of the image is required.

   Another reason behind the extensive use of the JPG image format is that it can be compressed without causing any loss to the image quality. This property is immensely helpful in many cases.  Generally, when images are minimized in size, they suffer from a qualitative loss. However, images in JPG format can be compressed as and when required. This will not deteriorate the quality of the image.

2. TIFF (.tiff)

   TIFF is another widely used photo format and has the ability to retain its quality even when the file size is minimized. In fact, it caters to the requirements of various commercial segments. However, a major drawback of TIFF format is that it cannot be used on websites. It is for this reason websites have images in JPG format. Comparing the two, TIFF has a broader ground of utility. The only limitation of the format is its incompatibility with websites. The quality of the image remains intact when it is compressed. This format is extensively used in the fashion industry and portrait retouching. This format provides all the features required by a photographer.

3. GIF (.gif)

   GIF is one of the oldest photo formats. It was designed much before JPG and TIFF. This format came into inception at a time when 8-bit videos became popular and served the video purposes much effectively. GIF was unique in a number of ways. However, this format has its own limitations too. It is not suitable for printing which is the main drawback.  The number of colors that can be used in GIF format is limited to 256. Although all variants of colors cannot be incorporated in this photo format, it is sufficient for a graphic purpose. It is for this limitation that photo editors avoid using indexed colors to enhance images in GIF format; also for photo color correction services, this format suits the least. Unlike other formats, modern GIF files offer more transparency and animation. Today, this format is widely used in web graphics, where people do not look out for the variety of colors. GIF is also known for its pure color shades and smaller sizes of files.

4. PNG (.png)

   This file format has been the latest inclusion in the list. It has most of the attributes of TIFF and is a very useful format. A key advantage of PNG over TIFF is that it can be used in websites and most web developers are really comfortable using it. The purpose of designing this format was to bypass the inconveniences owing to the loss of quality of other photo formats. GIF format is likely to be replaced by PNG. Both these formats are supported by browsers, but PNG provides more benefits than GIF. As the format has been designed lately, it is powered with the latest features. PNG files occupy lesser space when images are converted from other formats. However, a disadvantage of PNG files is that websites are slow in reading images in this format. This is the reason why it is not as popular as JPG and TIFF. However, it is widely being used by contemporary photographers. The format does not lose its quality during photo retouching and hence ideal for photo manipulation.

5. PSD (.psd)

   This is a layered image file format, which is the default format when using Adobe Photoshop to save images. Photoshop Document, abbreviated as PSD supports multiple layers of image and numerous imaging options. This is very helpful in case, the editor has to resume the work for a later time and also if one wants to make changes in a particular layer without disturbing other layers. It saves an image all-inclusive of its clipping paths, shapes, layer masks, adjustment layers, styles and even blending modes and helps to preserve its transparency.

   Also, know the reason why most of the photo retouching agency provides final output in PSD format.

   But they are only read or opened with Photoshop or other Adobe products and selected graphics applications and also the image cannot be displayed on the web if saved in this file format.

   As there are many layers, the PSDs will be of larger sizes and hence require a high storage space provision while dealing with a huge volume of PSD files. Also for these images to get printed, they need to be saved in an appropriate file format after all the editing and manipulations. This is but, the highest quality image format for Photoshop edited images, which is commonly created and shared among graphics professionals.

6. PDF – Portable Document Format (.pdf)

   This format was invented by Adobe with an objective to acquire and review rich content from different applications and to share it with others using any computer and from any location in the world. If a vector logo is saved in PDF format, you can see it readily without having to download any other design editing program other than the Acrobat Reader software that comes for free. Additionally, you can make modifications to the design easily when you use this file format. The PDF format is recognized as one of the best and most easy-to-use tools to share graphics.

7. EPS – Encapsulated Postscript (.eps)

   This is a vector-format file that is specifically meant to generate high-resolution print-media graphics. You can create this format using any type of design program. This is a sort of a universal file format similar to the PDF format and you can use it to open vector-based graphics in different types of graphics editing software that may or may not be Adobe products. This format proves to be specifically useful for professionals who may not be using Adobe products at the present moment but maybe using other programs such as Quark or Corel Draw.

8. AI Format (.ai)

   The Adobe Illustrator-format is very popular among designers because it is one of the most reliable file-formats that can be used in images for diverse categories of design projects for both print-media and web-based platforms. This software is widely used to generate artwork from scratch and there are chances that your designer used this software to create your company’s logo for the first time. This program generates vector artwork, which can be manipulated very easily. In fact, you can use this software to create diverse types of files. You may regard it as one of the best design tools in a graphic designer’s toolkit.

9. INDD Format (.indd)

   InDesign Document (INDDs) is a format that gets generated and saved in Adobe’s InDesign software. This program is generally used to generate large-sized publications such as magazines, newspapers, eBooks, etc. Most importantly, you can combine the files from Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator in InDesign so as to generate designs having richer, classier content that would feature formatting information, advanced typography, implanted graphics, and several advanced layout-related features.

10. RAW Image Format

    A RAW image is a file that has been processed to a negligible extent. In fact, it is the preliminary format that an image takes over at the time of its creation. When you use your camera to click a photo, the photo gets saved in the RAW format. Your image would get a new file format when you get it uploaded to a new device and refine it by using a photo editing program. You will find RAW images to be very detailed because they capture all elements and finer visual details that remain unprocessed. This format would eventually get converted into a vector or raster format that can now be shared through other devices or resized for diverse purposes. Notably, there are several RAW image file formats that you can use to save your images. In fact, some formats are native to some camera models.

    Here are the four main types of RAW files that we commonly come across:

    • CR2: CR2 or Canon RAW 2 is a Canon-specific file format that is commonly found in photos that ate clicked through Canon’s digital cameras. These are images of superior quality as they are primarily based on the TIFF format.
    • CRW: The CRW file extension was introduced by Canon before it introduced the CR2 extension in the market.
    • NEF: The Nikon Electric Format image extension is a type of RAW file that was introduced by Nikon. Images of these formats can be edited extensively without having to change the file-type only if you use a Nikon Photoshop plug-in or a Nikon device to edit the files.
    • PEF: The Pentax Electronic Format is a RAW image format that is native to Pentax Digital Cameras.

To conclude about image file formats

The problem with most of the amateurs is that they start editing without knowing the features of each of these formats. Even if they study a few formats and go through various photo editing tips for them online, the knowledge remains insufficient to support them in their career. However, professional photographers and image retouching experts determine the formats to be used after assessing their needs.

When you work with images, you may need to address several complex requirements at times. Image editing is not an easy task, but continuous learning and practice would make things perfect. We hope that this article has provided you with important information about the standard image file formats, which may help you to decide which file-type is most relevant for your ongoing on an upcoming project.