Posterization or Banding

[Robert Amoruso]

I am having problems with the image shown here and my "Canaveral Sunrise" image in the Landscape Forum (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11282) with Posterization or Banding.

It is occurring when I make a levels adjustment. I know this can happen in 8-bit more easily; I am working 16-bit. Interested in suggestions as to the cause. Thanks.

[Robert O'Toole]

Wow that looks amazing Robert, how did you do that ? :)

This is classic old banding not to be mistaken for posterization. This is caused by the algorithm, really a failure in the process. Thsi can easily happen when doing a conversion from aRGB to CMYK or similar. it happens when the pixels are stretched, spreading them causing steps. I have never had them this bad, but the cure is to add Noise to make more variation in the tone steps. Cant explain the cool blue edges though :)

Robert

[Robert Amoruso]

What do you mean by adding noise Robert?

Flash as Main Light on the adult on the post using 600mm + 2x TC when the juvenile flew onto its back. Five good images where the flash went off. I just keep firing. Tight for the action but it is what it is. Make this weekend in Cape Coral

[Robert O'Toole]

I learned the noise trick in publishing, you would add noise with the add noise filter before you convert to CMYK or whatever. Try again and use the filter before curves then if it works mask out all the noise accept for the bands. Its a program calculation problem so the noise makes the algorithm think there is more tonal variation so it wont give you the big steps. This is the way it was explained to me anyway, try it and let us know if it works!

Robert

[Robert O'Toole]

BTW the blue edges on the bands look like a NIK filter plug-in effect :)

Oh and you nailed the Focus, was it the III or the 300?

Robert

[Robert Amoruso]

Mark III of course. I did the firmware upgrade and seems to have improved. 45 point works better now.

Thanks for the clarification. I will try out tomorrow.

[Bruce Gove]

Robert,

Is ver. 1.1.3 the latest available??

Cheers,

Bruce Gove

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Robert,

Is ver. 1.1.3 the latest available??

Cheers,

Bruce Gove

The latest firmware version is 1.2.3 which you can download at the Canon website.

[Robert O'Toole]

This might help:

1DMKIII update link:

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eos1dm3/firmware.html

1DSMKIII:

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/eos1dsm3/firmware-e.html


Robert

[Bruce Gove]

Thanks very much gentlemen! :)

Bruce

[Robert Amoruso]

Thanks very much gentlemen! :)

Bruce

Sorry I missed your question Bruce and glad to see it got covered.


BTW, problem solved. I deselected the BG and don't process it. Worked great.