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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
