Data loss from a PC, laptop, memory card, or an iPod can have serious implications. The gravity of the issue is directly proportional to the kind of data you have lost. There are two ways to address this problem. You can either recreate the data, or recover the lost data. Recreating the data will depend on the complexity, or the kind of data that you have lost. For example, to a professional photographer recreating Raw image files will not be an acceptable option, since he cannot recreate the scenarios again.

What are Raw image files?

Raw image files refer to unprocessed or minimally processed data. Digital cameras, image scanners and motion picture film scanners use RAW image files. However, there is no single Raw file format, as different manufacturers use different raw formats specific to their model. Some of the common Raw image file formats include.bay (Casio), .3fr (Hasselblad), .cr2, .crw (Canon), .dcs, .dcr, .kdc (Kodak), .mef (Mamiya), .mrw (Minolta), .ptx, .pef (Pentax), .raf (Fuji) and.raw, .rw2 (Panasonic).

Advantages of Raw file formats

Some of the digital cameras allow you to shoot in both JPEG as well as Raw. When you shoot in JPEG, the images are processed using the in camera parameters, and you get a ready to print image. Whereas if you shoot using Raw, the images need to be further edited in a PC before you can view or print them. This feature, though time consuming (especially when you have hundreds of photos), lets you to change many of the parameters like contrast, sharpness, white balance, saturation etc of a photo, using a raw convertor. The raw file often referred to as the digital negative, can be converted to JPEG or TIFF, which enable you to store, print or further manage the image. Raw files have widespread application in professional photography as it allows storage of data without losing any data or the surroundings.

Losing Raw files from digital camera

Most of the digital cameras use memory cards such as secure digital (SD), multimedia card (MMC), Smart media or Miniature cards for storing data. Raw file can be edited only if you transfer it to a PC or laptop. Data loss can happen if

• the cable is pulled off while transferring data from the camera to PC or laptop
• you have accidentally deleted the data from the card
• you have formatted the card
• there is an improper shut down of the system due to power fluctuations or software malfunction
• the backup is corrupt or incorrect backup practices

Photo recovery software to recovering lost Raw, JPEG or TIFF files

Even after losing data from the memory card (SD, MMC, Smart media, Miniature), you can still recover it with a specialized photo recovery software. When data is deleted from the memory card, the data do not get erased completely, but the pointers to the data are erased. This makes the data inaccessible. Specialized photo recovery software is enabled with powerful algorithms to trace and recover such data.

However, if you use the camera to shoot more pictures after deleting data, the chances of recovering deleted or lost data is less. This is because the new pictures will over write the lost or deleted data. So, immediately after you lose data from a card

• do not use the card to store more data till you recover lost data
• remove the card from the camera and store it in a safe place to avoid using it further till you recover lost data

Tips for selecting photo recovery software

• While selecting photo recovery software, make sure that the software supports the raw format used by your camera.
• Select the file recovery software based on your operating systems. There are different software for Windows and Mac operating systems.
• Ensure that the software allows you to preview recovered files. Some of the recovery software will only display numbers against images. Without preview function, sorting through various image files can be very cumbersome.
• Make sure that the software comes with good customer support. Interact with the support team of the software company to make sure that they have mechanisms in place to handle customers’ queries.
• Another important aspect you need to check is the payment processing channel used by the software company to ensure safe handling of your credit card details. Read company’s website before ordering the product.

Johnn Thomass works as a software utility review expert. His articles help users to select the most appropriate recovery software. He has written reviews on many products including disk recovery software, undelete files recovery software, data sanitizers and photo recovery software.