stogie1020

I am using LR to try to process some images for this month's contest, and my image, at 1:1 in RAW is sharp as a tack.

Unfortunately, when I export is as either JPG or TIFF, it appears a bit out of focus!

Frustrating, since I know the image detail WAS in focus, and can see the sharpness in LR. Am I crazy? What can I do to mitigate this?

I am working in sRGB, and am exporting the JPG at 100% quality, 300 and 600 pixels per inch, and in TIFF at 300/600 and getting the same result.

Any ideas?

More than happy to email the RAW (9.6MB) or the Tiff (2.9MB) to someone to see if I am crazy.....

Billiam

Although I don't use LR much for processing (and hence output), I have noticed the same behavior you mention. The 1:1 preview more often than not seems sharper than anything you get when exporting the same file at its original size. The thing to keep in mind here is that I'm fairly certain LR is applying some form of sharpening on the fly when you're previewing at 1:1. Still, it does seem fairly common that this "1:1 preview sharpening" is more appealing than anything you get when viewing an exported image at 1:1. It's almost as if this "preview sharpening" functions differently than the actual sharpening controls in Lightroom.

stogie1020

In taking the shot, I used LiveView, zoomed in as far as I could and manually focused, so I am pretty sure it actually WAS that sharp in the shot, plus I zoomed on thew lcd after the shot to review the focus.

I am applying some sharpening to the image prior to exporting, but as expected, it does not help with the apparent fuzzy focus issue....

srika

I wouldn't mind taking a look at the RAW file to maybe see if I can figure it out - I'll PM you my e-mail.

stogie1020

PM sent. Thanks.

srika

The TIF looks as sharp as the RAW, to me. They are different resolutions though - but the TIF does not look out of focus. Next step to see what's going on - post a screenshot of your window while you are viewing the TIF that appears out of focus - if you need to know how to do this PM me.

stogie1020

Well, now I am only seeing the problems when I go to 1:1...




Tiff on left at 400%, RAW on right at 1:1

JJ4Short

I love LR but really I am getting tired of things like this and the fact my color profile isn't an option so my pictures are super washed out. I need a better alternative.

moeronn

Look at what you wrote. The tiff looks like it was reduced by a factor of 4.

stogie1020

Hmmmmmmmmmm....

stogie1020

OK, good point. The problem, it seems, is in the reduction to 800x600 for web viewing...

Any good ideas on how to reduce the physical size without compromising quality?

rimz

try opening your photo in photoshop and chaning the image size there, but UNCHECK 'resample image' near the bottom, then reduce it's physical size...

Billiam

That's not going to do anything. If you uncheck the 'resample image' box, then all you're doing is changing the resolution (pixels per inch). The actual pixel dimensions of the image won't change at all.

srika

the TIF you sent me was at 800x600. If you blow that up to the same size as the RAW (as it seems like you have above), it will look pixelated - not a "problem" per se. I think you are OK!

stogie1020

Yeah, I think that was the problem. I guess my question is how do I take a picture at 3888x2592 and then reduce it for upload/email, etc... without losing image quality or creating pixelation?

Edit: Never mind, I just need to stop zooming into an 800x600 image to make it the same physical size on the screen as a 3888x2592 and expecting the same image quality...

Thanks for the help everyone (and for taking a look Srika). You guys rock!

srika

that's one of the big challenges for me - for common purposes LR does a terrific job of downsizing. For specific purposes (single pictures) or if you want to have a higher degree of control, it requires some fine-tooth combing on a picture-by-picture basis. After sizing down, you have to really look at each part of the picture to ensure sharpness (and not oversharpness) and clarity. Sometimes selective sharpening/smoothing is necessary. It really depends on the picture and there is no set rule on how to do it - you have to play with it until it looks balanced (or the way you want it). There are a number of sharpening algorithms and adjustments as well, some which work better than others, depending on the picture. You have to experiment to find which works best for a certain pic.

stogie1020

PP is a whole new world for me......

Again, thanks for the help.

srika

Something I've only started using recently is targeted sharpening - by that I mean, a sharpen tool. It's really working great and I love it.

ChodTheWacko

Another thing to do is rather than reduce the resolution of the pic, reduce the 'quality' settting.

Experiment to find a comfortable setting. When I upload pics or send pics, I use a lower quality # than normal. Most people don't care that much, you know?

- Frank

stogie1020

^good point. This one is for this month's contest, so I wanted to keep the quality high, but keep it within the size requirements.

srika

is it easier to sharpen low resolution pics taken by lower resolution cameras? I did this without much effort at all using the D70 - you can barely see any jaggies on the resize. With the 5D, I find the sharpening of low res pics to be VERY challenging! And, I am almost certain if I took this same pic with the 5D and resized it to this, I would have had trouble with jaggies!

srika

here's another shot with the D70 - look again, barely any jaggies.

stogie1020

Kinda distracted by the subject matter


Those look sharp as a tack!

moeronn

I'm not sure I understand the question completely. Are you saying that pics from the 5D don't come out that sharp when you resize? I don't see how that would have anything to do with the camera and more to do with how (what software) you resize.

If you are no longer happy with your 5D, I can PM you my address so you can send it to me. I'll even paypal you shipping costs

Dan Martin

I use Photokit Sharpener for almost all of my sharpening needs now. It's amazing for print sharpening, but I don't use it as much for web. They need a few more options for screen resolutions (it only goes up to 1024px). Sharpening for print has always been tricky for me, but Photokit totally takes the guesswork out of it. Just pick the type of paper, what your final print size is going to be, and you're done.

srika

when I resize 5d pics to say 1024 or 800, I get jaggies easily when sharpening at that size. This doesn't happen with the D70. My sharpening process hasn't changed - maybe it needs to.

Thanks for the tip Dan I will check that out.

Billiam

Srika, are you comparing jpegs to jpegs and/or RAW to RAW when comparing sharpening results between the two cameras?

For the record: +1 on everything Dan said about Photokit Sharpener.

srika

JPG to JPG

sixsixfour

lots of useful info here.

srika

I guess that's Photoshop only, eh...