articles/Infrared/digitalinfrared-page4

Digital Infrared - part 4 of 1 2 3 4 5 6

by Mike McNamee Published 01/04/2012

We performed our standard ring around in 8-bit mode with a matrix of pre- and post-sharpening. Although the higher settings were grossly over-sharpened we failed to reproduce the blocking artefacts in this all-RAW route that had been produced by the Photoshop route. Initially at least this suggests that the RAW route is superior although we were taken aback by the outcome, expecting the heavy sharpening applied at the extreme corners of the ring around to reproduce the blocking effect. Life gets even more complex when Masking is brought into play both in Photoshop (over areas where sharpening is not required) or within ACR. Masking in ACR is carried out by use of the Details tab at 100% and holding down the Alt key, if you are unfamiliar with the method! This created a rather unusual 'filigree' mask in the sky (see screen grab) and although it will probably be invisible in the final print, it looks worthy of some additional investigation. Actually the whole shooting match seems to require quite a lot of investigation, a luxury unavailable at the present pre-deadline and magazine schedule!

RIGHT TOP: Images from IR show as a deep red, depending upon the variations in white balance, here we are in the process of applying pre-sharpening in the Details panel.

RIGHT BOTTOM: The mask slider is adjusted at 100% zoom with the Alt key depressed. Note the unusual patterns in the cloud. At 24% the sky is already substantially masked from pre-sharpening.

• Digital Infrared page 1
  
• Digital Infrared page 2
  
• Digital Infrared page 3
  
• Digital Infrared page 4
  
• Digital Infrared page 5
  
• Digital Infrared page 6
  

There are 37 days to get ready for The Societies of Photographers Convention and Trade Show at The Novotel London West, Hammersmith ...
which starts on Wednesday 17th January 2024