JPEG

Today, we have a wide selection of formats for working with images, and JPEG is the most versatile and popular. Although it is inferior in quality to other formats, such as RAW for working with photographs or PNG for documents and illustrations, JPEG is supported by all operating systems, browsers, and programs, unlike most other image formats. Like every format, it has its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, you will learn about them and learn how to use them correctly. Without further ado, let's start with the basics.

JPEG Meaning

What does JPEG stand for? The Joint Photographic Experts Group consists of the well-known abbreviation JPEG, which is usually pronounced as JAY-peg. Besides the cute name, it's a serious graphic image file. It is lossy compressed using a standard developed by the ISO/IEC Joint Photographic Expert Group. It is this compression that distinguishes it from other image file formats. This format supports a color depth of up to 24 bits and uses a lossy compression method for easier storage and sending of images, making it ideal for everyday use. However, the quality of the original image is lost during compression. Therefore, when working with photos, photographers prefer RAW. 

Is a JPG the Same as a JPEG?

They are essentially the same. The terms refer to the same image format. The only difference is in the file extension.

Why Two Names?

JPEG is the original term and the official abbreviation for the format. In earlier versions (like MS-DOS 8.3 and Windows 95), Windows was limited to three-letter file extensions, so ".jpeg" had to be shortened to ".jpg." This limitation is no longer an issue, but the ".jpg" extension stuck and is still widely used. Both .jpg and .jpeg are the same file format and are interchangeable. 

• JPEG images have the following file name extensions: .jpg / .jpeg / .jpe / .jif / .jfif / .jfi.

A Brief Excursion into the History of the JPEG Format

The JPEG format was developed in the late 1980s as a standard for digital image compression. The group of experts from ISO and ITU-T that worked on this format aimed to create a universal format that would reduce the size of photo files without significant loss of quality. The standard was first officially released in 1992, and since then, it has quickly become the most popular format for storing and sharing digital images. 

The creators of JPEG recently shared a new format designed not to replace JPEG but to exist alongside it as an option for faster streaming. In JPEG XS, the compression ratio is only 6:1 (whereas the JPEG compression ratio is 10:1). Still, the simpler algorithms mean that the file will be better suited for operations such as streaming. A potential replacement could be HEIF, which is also based on the h.265 standards. Where others have failed, HEIF can succeed with the backing of one of the biggest technology brands: Apple. It may become as common as JPEG, but it may take a long time to become as common.

Advantages of the Format

• The small file size makes them ideal for storing and transferring images online.

• Wide support for almost all web browsers and image editing programs.

• It is easier to process after pressing the shutter button because white balance and color saturation are set.

• JPEG has built-in support for metadata (EXIF), such as the model of the camera used, shutter speed, aperture and ISO, frame resolution, and many others.

• Good quality is possible even with a high compression ratio.

Disadvantages of the Format

• Compression occurs when data is lost, leading to a loss of image quality.

• It could not be appropriate for images with sharp edges or fine details.

• Compressed images can look heavy and stiff and have distortions such as antialiasing, veiling, or noise that significantly degrade image quality. It is better to save photos in RAW to avoid the appearance of distortions and posterization. 

• It does not support CMYK well due to heavy compression, and it does not support transparent color.

What is JPEG Used for?

At a relatively small size, a JPEG file can display 16.8 million colors. It is another reason for its popularity with both photographers and web publishers. The two main purposes of this format are:

1. Displaying Photos

Professional work with photos is based on shooting in RAW format to get the sharpest picture possible. However, smartphone cameras usually do not support it and instead shoot in JPEG or, in the case of an iPhone, in HEIC. HEIC, in turn, is optimized for capturing high-quality images, but further work with them is complicated and requires a format change. If you have encountered this problem, read the article How to Convert HEIC Photos to JPG on Mac. 

JPEG is commonly used in digital photography and is unsuitable for compressing drawings and text graphics, where the sharp contrast between neighboring pixels causes noticeable distortion. Many experts argue about the PNG vs JPEG quality.

2. Publications on the Internet

Both professionals and amateurs, photographers, businesses, bloggers, and ordinary people often publish their work on the Internet in JPEG format. Smaller file size means faster opening in most browsers and mobile devices. At the same time, without a significant loss of quality. The page loads faster, so readers see the content right away. As for file storage and transfer, JPEG files only take up a little space in the cloud storage and provide fast image transfer processes.

How to Create and Edit a JPEG File

Using a photo editor, you can create a JPEG image from any other format. For example, when you're done editing a photo in Luminar Neo, choose the Export menu →, click Folder, select the appropriate format, then save it with the Export button. Explore how to open JPEG files on any device and work with them to preserve image quality.

Also, Luminar Neo is a reliable tool if you need to work with images in this format. For example, a photo retoucher can improve the quality and small details, remove noise, make it smoother, etc. You can also blur the photo background to add a higher quality and professional look to the image. Portrait photos with this effect will look alive and voluminous.

Bottom Line

What is a JPEG photo? It is a format without which it is difficult to imagine our everyday life. The JPEG format has pros and cons, but it is the most popular format available today, and we should learn to work with it. Since all photo editors support it, choose those programs that will help you improve the quality of the image as a result. One of these is Luminar Neo. Discover the wide world of its functions so that the processing of any format gives you the best results!