Although the DNG format, created by Adobe, and has a certain path in digital photography continues to generate many questions for the fans. Questions ranging from total ignorance about their usefulness, to the confusion it generates in the future, taking into account the volume of such rapid changes currently occurring.

This is reasonable, so it is worth knowing a little more than the digital negative, or DNG Digital Negative on the full Adobe bet for some years. So, let’s give some reasons why we want to use it and then use or not use it, always taking into account our needs.

What DNG?

Although we talked about in our course DNG format photography, it is worth re-define it for perspective. This is a standard format, is increasingly accepted, to store the RAW files of each camera. As we know, each manufacturer chooses its own RAW format, and this generates multiple paths, closed and secured the future as unpredictable and changing as the technology market today. Each RAW format is the property of their trademark, so it became necessary to have an open format, which was adopted by the majority and thus achieve a standard for all and to facilitate the transfer, exchange and storage of photographic archives.

As a file format publicly available, the option becomes more widespread and comprehensive open today (with permission of the least accepted OpenRAW). No need to have a software provided by each manufacturer to read them, but Adobe provides the Adobe DNG Converter, free of charge and we can easily convert our RAW files. And since 2004 it was introduced, has achieved strong support from major manufacturers such as Hasselblad, Leica, Ricoh and Samsung, and increasingly more people having raised it in the future.

Of course, the number of photographers that has been adopted has grown considerably as one option open, free, seriously and with good prospects. But, as indicated at the beginning, there are still many doubters. So let’s make three good reasons why we should ask to use the DNG.

DNG converter capture

1. Durability

Not that DNG files are technically more lasting in time, but it is clear that if we have a good number of RAW files from a manufacturer and in a few years, stop using it, format changes or disappears, we find files Photo will be increasingly difficult to uncover and prosecute. And so to use. So the DNG, as an open standard, it is postulated as a clear option for the future.

If we convert your RAW files to DNG we have secured the ability to manage our digital negatives, either disclosing again by changing the processing or for export, etc.. In DNG we ensure that over time we get access to our records, regardless of the camera that had been taken.

As an open format and public access can always update and adapt to future technological changes. And that’s a very strong advantage.
2. They are smaller files

DNG files are approximately 20% smaller than the corresponding RAW file. Which leads to reduction of disk space. And fearing that it could be a file that we generate compression loss, we can rest assured that there is any quality reduction. The file is compressed without affecting the image. And not only has an advantage when accumulated hundreds of images, but also helps the workflow, and streamline file management, processing.

Although it may seem trivial, when processing files of 14 megapixels and more if we follow the trend, which may in future large RAW files, not others achieve a reduction in space and optimize the storage of foods.
3. All in one file

One reason is also very consistent in the fact that a single DNG file will also contain all the information in image metadata. Currently, when processing a RAW file, for example, with Lightroom, we find a XMP sidecar file where you store these metadata. So if we lose this file we will find a serious problem, especially if the work done with the image has been long and complicated. With the DNG have all the information in the same file without the possibility of this happening. We can also add private metadata to DNG files and thus get a clear differentiation.

Conclusions

To all this we have to join the assurance that a software giant like Adobe DNG is behind that, like it happened with the portable document, the famous PDF, became a standard, the aim for the DNG should be a horse winner.