<< Previous Next >>

The photographer's curse


The photographer's curse
Photo Information
Copyright: Per Hoj (hojper) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 687 W: 111 N: 847] (4087)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-04-11
Categories: Humorous
Camera: Olympus C740 UZ
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2004-04-17 18:11
Viewed: 788
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I don't know what it is like in other countries, but in Luxembourg you can be certain to get some kind of aircable or wire in the shot wherever you point the camera. I couldn't resist the temptation to post this as an outspoken protest against all those lines that are often first discovered when you come home and visualise the images on the screen. At least in this shot they are the subject.
I used NeatImage to clean up the sky.
Oh yes, and I would also like to ask all the experts out there if anyone knows if something can be done about the "stairstepping" effect that you get in shots like this? The lines become zig-zagged and not straight and even-coloured. I realise it has to do with digitalisation, but is there any remedy?
Judy, AdrianW, Isabelle, jhm, Jep, jose, mortijo has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekLens members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To AdrianW: Resizing with IranViewhojper 1 06-06 11:47
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Judy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 167 W: 94 N: 153] (529)
  • [2004-04-17 18:25]

Mmmm - I couldn't agree with you more. There are lines everywhere, even in SA. I often find myself with the clone tool trying to get rid of them - thank goodness for that tool. As for stairstepping - it is supposed to be caused by low res. The more resolution the image has, the smaller the "steps" They can also be seen on round objects sometimes. It is basically the pixel you are seeing - you will pick it up by zooming in. No solution other than very high resolution that I know of.

Nice shot! You're right, these things are the bane of my existence, and one of the reasons I prefer shooting natural landscapes rather than man-made ones... Stair step wise there are a couple of ways to reduce it - firstly when you resize choose a method that creates a smooth finish (for example bicubic in Photoshop, or Lanczos in IrfanView), secondly sharpen in phases - have a look at the Note in my "Remember me?" image - that should help. Well captured, and thanks for your critique on my Wood Anemone shot - it made me laugh!

i understand your feeling sooooooo well, Per!
please take a look here , here or here . The solution I found was to make them part of my picture...
As for your picture, I like its definition and the graphic composition.
I personally would desaturate it. with this sky, the image would be far moodier.
thanks for sharing.
(ps: I am sorry, i have no solution for the "stairstepping effect"...)

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 258 W: 0 N: 97] (531)
  • [2004-04-18 3:26]

Beautiful detail shot Per, aircable in belgium is this still too. Good sharp and blue sky on background.

  • Great 
  • Jep Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 131 W: 16 N: 97] (585)
  • [2004-04-18 16:43]

Hi Per.

Thanks for making me remember some for the first shots I took with my new camera. I'm not an expert - but you right - the Zigzag lines must come from the digitalisation - specially the JPEG format gives this effects be course of the compression - nice photo any way - I like the blue sky and the lines to divide.

How right you are Per. Cables and CRANES everywhere you look. The zigzagging is a side effect of the compression in jpeg. The only thing you can do is increase the resolution and soften the edges.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF