Photoshop users already know that there are various file formats in which the images can be saved. The file formats are there to cater the specific needs in terms of quality and use of the image. Here’s an insight into what the file formats stand for.
Adobe Photoshop default (PSD)
PSD file is a layered image file used in Adobe PhotoShop (PSD), which stands for Photoshop Document, is the default format that Photoshop uses for saving data. PSD is a proprietary file that allows the user to work with the images individual layers even after the file has been saved.
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
TIFF is a lossless file format which is popular among graphic artists, photographers, and publishers. The information is retained in layers, which depends on how you save the file. It is also a favorite of printers because there is no loss in quality when the image is printed. TIFF is also supported by various photo editing applications such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Photomatix, Google Nik, and more . A TIFF file, similar to a RAW file, is extremely large. In addition, you can’t display images on the Internet using this format.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
PNG, originally created as an improved replacement for GIF, is a popular format used by photographers and graphic designers. That’s because the format supports lossless data compression, which means a lot of information is retained when you save and reopen your images. PNG files can also be shared on the web. One of the best features of PNG is that it has transparency options. You can easily overlay a PNG image into a background (usually represented by a white-and-gray checkerboard), maintaining transparency and giving the overall photo or graphics a 3D quality. This feature also allows more efficient images editing; photo editors and graphic designers can easily apply their edits in layers.There is data compression involved but not as much as in GIFs, which allows you to retain a high-quality image. However, the size although compressed, is still more than a JPEG image.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
Used by most digital cameras as their default format, JPEG is the most common file type which can be used online or for hard prints. Its lossy compression algorithm removes minute details that your eye is least likely to notice to save space. However, the compression ratio is adjustable so you can select the level of quality you want in your image. In general, the compression is enough to provide a reasonably high-quality image without worrying too much about the file size.