16-bit TIFFs are ideal for editing… but you don’t actually have to KEEP them

If you use a plug-in or an external editor with Lightroom or Capture One, you’ll be prompted to choose an export file format. You can choose JPEG for a smaller file size, but while JPEGs are fine for minor tweaks, they don’t respond well to heavy editing.

You might think that’s because they are compressed, but it’s not. It’s because they are 8-bit images which only offer a smooth gradation of tones when they are not too heavily edited. If you carry out heavy tone or contrast adjustments, you can start to see the histogram ‘combing’ – you get gaps between the tones that looks a bit like the teeth of a comb and this shows up in the image as banding or posterization.

This is a problem with 8-bit images, not with JPEG compression. If you choose the 8-bit TIFF option for editing, all you will achieve is larger files, but with the same problem. The solution is to use 16-bit TIFF images with external editors or plug-ins. These 16-bit TIFFs have far subtler tonal gradations that can withstand even heavy editing.

The problem with 16-bit TIFFs is they are BIG. The RAW files from my Nikon D800 are around 40-50MB, but if I export them to a plug-in as 6-bit TIFFs, these are around 200MB each, even if I use TIFF compression options. With the cost of storage these days, it’s clearly impractical to use 16-bit TIFFs on a routine basis.

So what’s the answer? It’s not elegant, but it’s simple. Use a 16-bit TIFF for editing by all means, but as soon as you’re done export it as a JPEG and delete the TIFF. Assuming you’ve done all you need to with the TIFF file you won’t need to edit it again, so exporting a JPEG version is fine.

Worried about ‘generational loss’ from re-saving files? The TIFF format uses lossless compression, so it’s not an issue. You’re only saving once to a ‘lossy’ format.

Incidentally, this also applies for other programs when you’re working from RAW files, such as Adobe Camera Raw when you’re opening images in Photoshop. Definitely use the 16-bit option here, but once you’ve done everything you need to in Photoshop, do you really need that 16-bit file any more? No!

To sum up…

• 16-bit TIFFs are definitely the best option when working from RAW files
• One you’re done editing, just save out as a JPEG. You don’t need that huge TIFF any more
• Read more: Bits and bit depth explained