You folks look like you know what you're talking about so I thought I ask the oft-asked RAW vs JPG question again here as I'm still a little confused. I understand the difference between RAW and JPG; what I'm still grappling with are the pros and cons of using one or other as master in Aperture. But rather than ask that question straight out, please allow me to describe the workflow I'm using so you can tell me what, if anything, is wrong with it.
1/ I shoot RAW + JPG
2/ I import JPG only, without renaming, and quickly reject the obvious duds
3/ I use the 'Matching RAW files' option to import the RAW files for images I want to keep
4/ I set 'RAW as Master' and get to work, creating new versions as I go where I want more than one version of a picture.
Step 4 is where I seem to differ from some who advocate JPG as master. I can understand the distinction in software which requires a separate RAW processing step, but to me Aperture simply processes RAW files on the fly so there is no need to use the JPG as a master. The way I see it, by using RAW as master I'm editing with a lot more flexibility (to, say, pull detail out of shadows) than if I were editing the JPG. I understood this extra flexibility is the biggest advantage of using RAW in the first place.
Of course, through all of this I'm really editing a JPG anyway, as that's what's on screen.
Seems to me that Aperture makes RAW editing so seamless that there is no advantage in not using the RAW as a master. But perhaps I'm wrong? Perhaps there is a speed advantage in editing the JPG? If so I don't notice it. Or is it that using the JPG as master would allow me to store my RAW files externally and still work on the images when I'm not on my network? (And if that's the case how do I apply edits to a RAW file later if I've pushed the JPG adjustments past their useful limit?). And/or does JPG as master speed up exporting (which is one thing I do notice takes a while at times)?
Sorry, a lot in there, but it's something I haven't been able to find a clear answer to on numerous forums.
David,
Melbourne, Australia
(Pentax K-r)