Summary: Are you frustrated with RAW photos converting to JPEG when imported from camera? Learn in this post how to stop auto convert of RAW to JPEG on import from camera, iPhone, or Android. Plus, know how to fix RAW files auto converting to JPEG in Lightroom or other editing software.
‘I shot some images in RAW using my Nikon camera to work on Lightroom. I uploaded the NEF file format images from camera to Photos app on Mac. But as I open the images in Lightroom they are auto converted from RAW to JPEG. I am not able to get the RAW file to edit.’
The problem is extremely annoying when you desperately need camera RAW files to work. Usually, its noted that RAW files auto convert to JPG when users import images by using Photos app on Mac. Although there are other complaints too, such as
So, the question is why image import gets auto converted from RAW to JPG. And how to tackle the issue?
This post answers all and shares how you can fix the RAW photos import issue in any situation.
Contents
If you are wondering why your RAW photos are uploading as JPEG on computer or editing software, here are the probable reasons:
You might have forgot to change the camera settings and captured the photos in JPEG and not RAW. Now you have to either reshoot the pictures or settle with the JPEG files!
If you have turned off the ‘Download Originals to this Mac’ option in Photos app, the RAW files will convert to JPEG on import to Mac from camera.
So turn on ‘Download Originals to this Mac’ option by following the below steps:
The image files convert to JPEG after import on Mac if you have turned on the ‘Optimise Mac Storage’ preference in Photos app. The preference helps to save the disk space and the smaller JPEG files are quicker to load. As a result, the Photos app displays only the optimized JPEG version of your RAW images. While it saves the RAW version in iCloud Photos.
However, if you need to edit the RAW image on Mac, Photos can still download the RAW file of that image. Here are the steps to import RAW photos instead of JPEG in Photos app for editing:
Note: After editing, Photos app doesn’t export the image in RAW. It exports the modified photos in JPEG format only.
If RAW photos imported to Lightroom convert to JPEG on Mac, try this solution. As Apple’s Photos app usually keeps the JPEG version of the image file and saves the RAW form in iCloud Photos, don’t directly import pictures from Photos app to Lightroom or other editing software.
Instead, download RAW files from iCloud Photos and save them at another location on your computer (not in Photos app). Thereafter, import the pictures from the new location into Lightroom. This method successfully imports the RAW pictures into editing software without converting them to JPEG.
Bonus Tip: If Lightroom is corrupting RAW images on import, update or reinstall the editing application.
If none of the above methods helps to fix imports being auto converted from RAW to JPEG, try updating the photo editing software. Be it Lightroom, Photoshop, Affinity, or other, updating the software fixes bugs and resolves many issues.
To avoid photos auto converting from RAW to JPG, import directly from the camera memory card to the editing software.
Connect the memory card to the computer via card reader and follow the usual process to import photos. You can directly import RAW files to Lightroom or Photoshop from camera.
You are always sure to choose RAW over JPEG when it comes to quality. However, unexpected auto convert of RAW files to JPEG on import can be a big nuisance. But don’t sweat it as this post resolves the problem of photo imports auto convert RAW to JPG by offering the proven workable solutions. So whether RAW photos converting to JPEG when imported from camera or files getting auto converted from RAW to JPEG after import to Lightroom, now you know how to fix the problem.
Meanwhile, do share with our readers how you were able to stop auto convert of RAW to JPEG on import issue in your case.
You may be interested to know:
Which is Highest Quality Image Format for Photographers – JPEG, TIFF, PNG, PSD, or RAW?
Does Editing JPGs in Lightroom Reduce Image Quality?
Nishat Paiker is an expert technical writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. She has deep knowledge about data recovery and loves to explore new technology and DIY tools. Nishat has keen interest in photography. You will often find her giving photography tips and hacks.
