What is a JPEG file? [+ How to Open and Use]
What is a JPEG File?
A JPEG file, standing for Joint Photographic Experts Group, is a well-known digital image file format. This standardized image compression technique is designed for containing full-color and high-resolution photos and graphics.
JPEG files are commonly used across various platforms and operating systems, from computer desktops to mobile devices. With the huge volume of images viewed and shared on the internet, JPEG has become one of the most important and popular image file formats used today.
What Are JPEG Files For?
The JPEG file format, with its compression capabilities, is primarily used for storing and sharing photographs.
JPEG's manageable file sizes also make it the choice format for web developers when integrating images onto a website or an application. For example, banners, product pictures, and background images on websites often use this format.
JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality. This keeps JPEG files small, which is great when used for images on websites and emali attachments.
How to Open JPEG Files?
Multiple programs can open JPEG files. Photoshop, is a popular editing tool that can open and edit this type of file. For a free open-source image editor, GIMP is an alternative that can handle JPEG files as well as other formats.
Other graphic viewers and editors like IrfanView and Paint.NET are also widely used tools in opening JPEG files. Even common operating systems' default picture viewers can open JPEG images right out of the box.
What Other File Types are Related to JPEG Files?
These above-mentioned formats are common alternatives to JPEG. They each have their own strengths that can be more suited to specific tasks.
How to Reduce JPEG File Size
Reducing your JPEG file size is crucial if you need to save on storage space or make your files easier to share. There are several ways to achieve this. One method is to use a web tool or software program. Some of these tools are free of charge and give you the option to select the quality of your image, thus adjusting the file size. Alternatively, you could use a photo editing software such as Photoshop.
How to Edit JPEG Image Files
Editing a JPEG image file is easily done with a photo editing tool. This could be a simple tool such as MS Paint, or a professional software such as Adobe Photoshop.
In Adobe Photoshop, you would simply need to open your file, make the necessary edits like cropping, adjusting brightness and contrast, or adding text, and then save the edited image. Remember, each time the JPEG image is edited and saved, it loses more image quality due to the compression process.
How to Convert from JPEG to JPG
Although it may sound complicated, converting a JPEG file to a JPG file is actually very straightforward. In fact, the process is more about renaming the file extension than any complex conversion.
In most operating systems, all you need to do is right-click the file, select "Rename," and then change the file extension from .jpeg to .jpg. Make sure to leave the rest of the file name and the period just before the extension intact.
Opening JPEG Files in Photoshop
Opening a JPEG files in Photoshop is very straightforward. Once you have your Photoshop opened, go to "File" in the top left corner, then select "Open". A file browser window will open, choose the JPEG file you want to edit, and click on "Open" again.
Difference Between JPEG and JPG File Format
You may have noticed that some digital images have a .jpg extension while others have a .jpeg extension. While it might seem like these are different types of files, they're actually the same format. The only difference is the number of characters in the extension.
Older versions of Windows, those that ran MS-DOS, only allowed three-letter file extensions, hence the shortened .jpg format. Modern operating systems, including newer versions of Windows and Mac OS, do support the four-letter .jpeg extension.
Printing a JPEG File
Printing a JPEG file is as simple as opening the file in a program that supports JPEG, like Adobe Photoshop or even a web browser, and selecting the "Print" option.
Before you print, make sure that the print settings are configured to your specifications. This might include selecting the correct printer, paper size, print quality, and other options.
