Why does this image have "splotches" in the color?

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

10/09/2006 06:22:37 PM · #1

I just finished post processing this image and I have what I can best describe as "splotches" in the darker colors, mostly in the bottom right.

My post processing steps were crop, levels, shadow/highlight, slight contrast boost, slight saturation boost, unsharp.

I cropped that bottom corner so that you can better see what I am talking about.

and even closer crop

Below, is a JPEG from the original RAW file with no post processing other than image size and save for web. Upon closer inspection, I can see some of the splotches in the original file. Maybe they were always there and post processing just enhanced them.

I have had much worse cases appear in blue skies that were more prominent in the composition and I want to overcome this problem with the color splotches. How do I avoid this?

edit to add an even closer crop of the splotches

Message edited by author 2006-10-09 18:46:18.

Bugzeye

10/09/2006 06:32:09 PM · #2

if I am seeing what you are seeing. It almost looks like the reflection of a dark cloud or it could be something just below the surface causing some shadows in the water.

10/09/2006 06:47:25 PM · #3

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

if I am seeing what you are seeing. It almost looks like the reflection of a dark cloud or it could be something just below the surface causing some shadows in the water.

No, it's not due to the reflection of the cloud. I've seen this in many of my images. I wonder if it is simply noise, but I'd like to find out for sure.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR

10/09/2006 06:52:47 PM · #4

Looks like noise to me.
Edit: it's a shadow area. Shadow areas tend to have noise.

Message edited by author 2006-10-09 18:53:17.

darnok

Nikon D850

10/09/2006 06:53:28 PM · #5

Looks like noise to me. Due to the low SNR shadows contain more noise than highlights in a digital image.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR

10/09/2006 06:54:30 PM · #6

Originally posted by Raziel:

Looks like noise to me. Due to the low SNR shadows contain more noise than highlights in a digital image.

C:\> Echo off

darnok

Nikon D850

10/09/2006 06:56:12 PM · #7

Originally posted by nfessel:

Originally posted by Raziel:
Looks like noise to me. Due to the low SNR shadows contain more noise than highlights in a digital image.

C:\> Echo off

Looks like you beat me...

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

10/09/2006 06:56:38 PM · #8

What ISO setting are you using? It looks to me like higher ISO noise.

10/09/2006 06:58:34 PM · #9

Originally posted by ursula:

What ISO setting are you using? It looks to me like higher ISO noise.

It's ISO 200, so says the image details.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR

10/09/2006 06:59:46 PM · #10

The real question is: how'd you get so close to that 'gator?

darnok

Nikon D850

10/09/2006 07:02:29 PM · #11

Originally posted by nfessel:

The real question is: how'd you get so close to that 'gator?

With a 12-24mm lens you almost need to be standing on it...

10/09/2006 07:03:15 PM · #12

Originally posted by Raziel:

Originally posted by nfessel:
The real question is: how'd you get so close to that 'gator?

With a 12-24mm lens you almost need to be standing on it...

Exactly. :)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/09/2006 07:04:23 PM · #13

Originally posted by nfessel:

The real question is: how'd you get so close to that 'gator?

Very carefully!

I was kneeling on an airboat dock about two feet from him. I held the camera with the wide angle lens close to water level and shot off several pics. That's why the horizon is off in the original.

Regarding the ISO setting, how did you know? I don't think that I listed the ISO setting. I never see it in the details so I have to rely on my own noggin' to provide the ISO number.

edit to add...Duh! I did provide the ISO in the details, but I may have been mistaken. That info is never provided when I look for it.

Message edited by author 2006-10-09 19:06:06.

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

10/09/2006 07:06:55 PM · #14

Originally posted by yakatme:

I just finished post processing this image and I have what I can best describe as "splotches" in the darker colors, mostly in the bottom right.

A polarizing filter may have helped to reduce the reflections on the water.

10/09/2006 07:38:26 PM · #15

Originally posted by Raziel:

Looks like noise to me. Due to the low SNR shadows contain more noise than highlights in a digital image.

O.K., I've thought about it long enough and have to now ask a dumb question....What is 'SNR'?

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/09/2006 07:39:31 PM · #16

Originally posted by yakatme:

Originally posted by Raziel:
Looks like noise to me. Due to the low SNR shadows contain more noise than highlights in a digital image.

O.K., I've thought about it long enough and have to now ask a dumb question....What is 'SNR'?

signal-to-noise ratio

Edit: add link: SNR

Message edited by author 2006-10-09 19:40:51.

kenskid

Nikon D700

10/09/2006 07:41:10 PM · #17

Here are your shots with Neat Image.

JunieMoon

Sony Alpha a7 II

Sony FE 3.5-5.6/28-70 mm OSS

10/09/2006 08:18:51 PM · #18

I notice splotches on my images, especially in the shadows. I do a lot of spot editing to get rid of them. Also, the splotches are more prevalent when you try to adjust exposure in post processing rather than brightness and contrast. The closer you crop, the more you will see them. Not only do you have noise from the shadows, but also additional problems from zoom noise, which occurs as you zoom in post processing. I have discovered less noise in the shadows when I use presets on my camera, rather than aperture, shutter or manual priorities. It sounds weird but I get less noise under portrait setting than I do under shutter or aperture priority. I also get better and smoother backgrounds when I use my sports setting. When in landscape mode, however, the splotches are much more noticable.