Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Which types of files are classified as lossy?

1. RAW, DNG, PSD

2. JPG, PNG, GIF

3. TIF, BMP, JPEG

4. PSD, JPEG, TIFF

The correct answer is: JPG, PNG, GIF

The classification of lossy file types refers to those formats that compress image data in a way that permanently reduces its quality by discarding some of the information. This means that when an image is saved in a lossy format, it becomes smaller in file size, but some detail is lost in the process, which cannot be recovered. In the context of the provided options, JPG (or JPEG) is the most recognized lossy image format. It utilizes a compression algorithm that reduces file size by sacrificing some image quality, particularly in areas of detail and color gradient. PNG and GIF, on the other hand, are primarily lossless formats. PNG retains all image information, allowing for high-quality images, especially with transparent backgrounds. GIF, while often used for simple graphics and animations, does not reduce quality in the same manner as lossy formats. Thus, JPG stands out as the sole lossy format in the group, affirming the correctness of the choice. The other options contain formats that are typically lossless. RAW files, for example, capture all image data from a camera’s sensor, while formats such as TIFF or PSD are designed to preserve high image quality without losing data, making them less suitable for classification as lossy.