IMAGES SUPPLIED BY WILLIAM MURPHY

I used the Halide App and because of the really strong sunlight I could not see the settings and did not realise that HEIC had been selected. HEIC is a file format that I avoid, if possible.

Henrietta Place is a short street in Dublin city centre that acts as a connector between North King Street and the grander Henrietta Street.

Pedestrians are advised to exercise extra caution when using Henrietta Place. There are reports that some drivers use it as a “rat-run” to bypass heavier traffic, and there have also been issues with joyriders using the street at night. Please be vigilant of your surroundings when walking in this area.

The .HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) file format is a modern image format that offers several advantages, particularly in terms of storage efficiency and image quality, compared to older formats like JPG. It’s the default image format used by Apple on iPhones and iPads running iOS 11 or later.

Here’s a breakdown of what .HEIC is and why one might choose it over RAW or JPG:

What is .HEIC?

High Efficiency: HEIC utilizes a modern and advanced compression method called High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), also known as H.265. This allows it to store images at a significantly smaller file size (often around half the size of a JPG) while retaining the same or even better image quality.
Container Format: The “Container” part of the name is important. A single HEIC file can contain not just one image, but also:
Multiple images (like in Live Photos or image bursts).
Image metadata (like location, date, etc.).
Depth maps.
Alpha (transparency) information, similar to PNG.
Audio.
Higher Color Depth: HEIC supports up to 16-bit color depth, allowing for a broader range of colors and more subtle gradations compared to the 8-bit color depth of JPG. This is particularly beneficial for High Dynamic Range (HDR) images.
Why Choose HEIC over JPG?

Better Compression and Storage Efficiency: HEIC files take up significantly less storage space than JPGs for comparable image quality. This means you can store more photos on your device or in the cloud without sacrificing quality.
Superior Image Quality: HEIC can preserve more detail and dynamic range than JPG at the same file size due to its advanced compression. JPG’s compression is “lossy,” meaning it discards some image data every time the file is saved, which can lead to a gradual degradation of quality with repeated edits. While HEIC is also a lossy format, it retains more image information.
Support for Advanced Features: HEIC’s container format allows for features that JPG doesn’t support, such as storing Live Photos, burst sequences, and transparency within a single file.
Future-Proofing: As technology evolves, HEIC is better positioned to handle advancements in display technology and image capture, such as HDR.
Why Choose HEIC over RAW?

Smaller File Sizes: RAW files contain all the unprocessed data captured by the camera sensor, resulting in very large file sizes. HEIC offers much higher compression, making files significantly smaller and easier to manage and store.
Ready to Use: HEIC files are processed by the device to produce a viewable image. RAW files require post-processing in specialised software before they can be viewed or printed.
Device Integration: HEIC is often deeply integrated into the operating system of devices that use it (like Apple’s iOS), offering seamless viewing and sharing within that ecosystem.
Why NOT Choose HEIC?

Compatibility Issues: The biggest drawback of HEIC is its limited compatibility compared to the universally supported JPG format. While support for HEIC has grown in recent years across operating systems and software, it’s still not as widely accepted. You might encounter issues when sharing HEIC files with users on older systems or uploading them to certain platforms that don’t support it. In such cases, conversion to JPG might be necessary.
Less Editing Flexibility than RAW: While HEIC offers good image quality, it doesn’t retain the same level of unprocessed data as RAW files. This means that for extensive post-processing and adjustments, especially regarding exposure and white balance, RAW files offer significantly more flexibility.
In Summary:

Choose HEIC if you prioritise storage efficiency and high image quality on devices that support it, especially within the Apple ecosystem. It’s a good balance for everyday photography.
Choose JPG if you need maximum compatibility across various devices, software, and platforms, even if it means slightly larger file sizes and potentially lower image quality compared to HEIC at the same size. It’s a safe bet for sharing and general use.
Choose RAW if you are a professional or enthusiast photographer who demands the absolute maximum image quality and editing flexibility for extensive post-processing, even if it means dealing with large file sizes and the need for specialised software.

The post HENRIETTA PLACE PHOTOGRAPHED USING AN iPHONE 12 PRO MAX appeared first on URBAN CARTOGRAPHER 2025.