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Confused about the files that come on that ‘High-Resolution Disc’? Here is an explanation of the differences between different types of image files you may have read about, and the reason that high-resolution JPEGS are the way to go. I’ve also touched on the Pros and Cons of ordering your prints from me instead of printing yourself.
As you can probably tell, many photographers work different ways - this is just the way I work. Your photographer might do something a little different. Here’s a little guide to the technical aspects of photography and the resulting files.

PHOTOGRAPHY FILE DEFINITIONS
Raw File - This is the file that comes directly from my camera. No corrections are done yet. This file is huge and only specialized software that I have can read it…this is not the file you want to print from.
Tiff File - High quality, but not really higher than high-resolution JPEG. Useful if you’re planning on printing a billboard. Likely, you’re not, so for all images you are printing from your wedding, Tiff is WAY too large (would take up several discs) and does NOT offer quality that is visually better. Plus a lot of consumer labs can’t read Tiff files. Tiffs are pain in the butt files…you don’t want Tiff files from your photographer.
High-Resolution JPEG - This file has had basic colour correction and exposure adjustment done. A client can print any size print from this file. This is the ideal format to be given after the wedding if you want to print your own pictures. I should also mention that these are the files I go to the lab with, and have never had a problem printing large size prints.
RETOUCHED High-Resolution JPEG - Retouched means something different to everyone. Any photographer with experience will explain that it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to retouch every single photo. Basic colour corrections and exposure corrections are done when I export the Raw files, but the images are basic, colour images. No special retouching (blemish removal, special colour work, or making images black and white) is done at this point. Any images that are used in Fine Art Albums, Photobooks, or ordered as Prints WILL be opened in Photoshop, sharpened, retouched as requested and saved as a retouched file.

* Based on the process detailed above, please be vary wary of anyone who says they’ll retouch EVERY image. If they do, it’ll likely be a Photoshop action that might look good on a few images and not so good on the other 95% of them.

ORDERING RETOUCHED IMAGES FROM A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

PROS:
- Each image is sent to a professional lab, but more importantly, I make sure to save the image with the correct COLOUR PROFILE for the lab I use. This ensures correct colour is rendered. Going to a lab like Wal-Mart can end up fine, but there’s also a much higher chance that you will run into problems like the colour looking poor and inaccurate.
- Each image is retouched, and looks more polished and perfect that printing from an un-retouched file.

CONS:
- Costs more than doing it yourself, but the reason is the retouching and quality control time, combined along with a pro lab cost. You are paying for quality from a professional who knows how to give you the best product for your money. If you are less picky, then try printing the images yourself and see if you are happy. If so, it may be the right way to go for you.

Great post Carolyn, this should help clear up some confusion.