RAW
Ladies and gentlemen, this is why you're supposed to shoot in raw!
The simplest description of RAW files is that they can be thought of as digital negatives. I clearly remember how frustrated I used to get when I didn't have any control over the camera settings and there were burnt out or underexposed parts in almost every picture I shot and I never chose to shoot in RAW just because I didn't know what the difference between JPEG and RAW format (there was a time when I could shoot about over 300 photos and I didn't get satisfied with a single one!).
The most significant difference between RAW and JPEG is that RAW holds so much more image data than JPEG does and you get to apply all of your edits with no sacrifice of image quality.
It actually took me five years to switch from JPEG to RAW and it took me this long just because of the most RAW files require you conduct some degree of post processing via photo editing software to convert your image to an editable file type for editing. Now when I'm working with my ipad and PS Touch this is now longer a problem and my workflow is so smooth from what it used to be.