Photos appear soft?

geoles2 · 08-04-2011, 05:33 PM

I have a pentax kx and was using a 28-75 2.8 lens on a mountain bike race the other day and have a few questions.
In lr3 they look ok, when I zoom to 100% they dont look good at all. Kinda blurry, out of focus.

I realize my shutter speed may not have been fast enough, but do you look at your photos at 100%

Thanks, George

**GregK8** · 08-04-2011, 05:41 PM

It's called pixel-peeping. Really, if you like the way they look at the size you view them, what does it really matter what they look like at 100%?

P.S.- I do it too

RioRico · 08-04-2011, 06:17 PM

Anything displayed large enough and inspected closely enough will look bad.
Almost anything shown small enough and seen from far enough will look good.
If the subject is compelling, the image will survive even the lousiest display.
If the subject is boring crap, even the most perfect image will be boring crap.

In short: Enjoy the image for what it is, not for what it could have been if only...

yeatzee · 08-04-2011, 06:33 PM

yes all the time. Im very strict about image quality, if its not up to par Its straight to the trash bin

That is unless I feel like making the excuse of fine art

twitch · 08-04-2011, 06:47 PM

Yes I look at my images at 100%. It doesn't automatically get binned if it's not tack sharp at 100%, but the composition or subject has got to be pretty special for it to survive. I shoot enough shots though that I still end up with a ton of keepers even if I bin 90% of what I take.

Ailuropoda · 08-04-2011, 07:33 PM

It's a tremendous mark of pride to have things pixel level clean. Besides, how else am I supposed to justify spending money on cameras and lenses?

Kidding aside, sometimes I want a Monet, other times I want to be able to lean into a landscape and picture myself there, slowly making my way through the scene or play Where's Waldo in a shot with a crowd. If it isn't a landscape that lends itself to that sort of thing, or a macro, there's a good enough point.

**rparmar** · 08-04-2011, 08:13 PM

It was indeed likely the shutter speed. Stop down or up the ISO.

KxBlaze · 08-04-2011, 11:14 PM

100% is definitely pixle peeping. Most photos will not look extremely sharp at 100% and on a 3x4 print that will not matter. I would suggest a 3x4 print to use as you guideline and not a 100% zoom.

TOUGEFC · 08-04-2011, 11:18 PM

I too look at them at 100%, if its not sharp at 100% then they get discarded.

**Digitalis** · 08-05-2011, 02:13 AM

Originally posted by yeatzee

That is unless I feel like making the excuse of fine art

*AHEM* I scrutinise my work thoroughly as well, even with film I was described by colleagues as being overly fond of the 8X loupe - especially with prints.

JeffJS · 08-05-2011, 02:46 AM

It depends on the picture and what is in it for me.

Photos of flowers for instance, I expect to be razor sharp and showing every detail, even at 100%. Photos of The Hound, for instance, I'm happy if I can even recognize him in the photo. Sharp would be nice but since he typically runs from the camera, I take what I can get.

RioRico · 08-05-2011, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by TOUGEFC

I too look at them at 100%, if its not sharp at 100% then they get discarded.

Perv.

08-04-2011, 05:33 PM	#1
geoles2 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Illinois Photos: Albums Posts: 32	Photos appear soft? I have a pentax kx and was using a 28-75 2.8 lens on a mountain bike race the other day and have a few questions. In lr3 they look ok, when I zoom to 100% they dont look good at all. Kinda blurry, out of focus. I realize my shutter speed may not have been fast enough, but do you look at your photos at 100% Thanks, George

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08-04-2011, 05:41 PM	#2
GregK8 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 614	It's called pixel-peeping. Really, if you like the way they look at the size you view them, what does it really matter what they look like at 100%? P.S.- I do it too

08-04-2011, 06:17 PM	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Anything displayed large enough and inspected closely enough will look bad. Almost anything shown small enough and seen from far enough will look good. If the subject is compelling, the image will survive even the lousiest display. If the subject is boring crap, even the most perfect image will be boring crap. In short: Enjoy the image for what it is, not for what it could have been if only...

08-04-2011, 06:33 PM	#4
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	yes all the time. Im very strict about image quality, if its not up to par Its straight to the trash bin That is unless I feel like making the excuse of fine art

08-04-2011, 06:47 PM	#5
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Yes I look at my images at 100%. It doesn't automatically get binned if it's not tack sharp at 100%, but the composition or subject has got to be pretty special for it to survive. I shoot enough shots though that I still end up with a ton of keepers even if I bin 90% of what I take.

08-04-2011, 07:33 PM	#6
Ailuropoda Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 71	It's a tremendous mark of pride to have things pixel level clean. Besides, how else am I supposed to justify spending money on cameras and lenses? Kidding aside, sometimes I want a Monet, other times I want to be able to lean into a landscape and picture myself there, slowly making my way through the scene or play Where's Waldo in a shot with a crowd. If it isn't a landscape that lends itself to that sort of thing, or a macro, there's a good enough point.

08-04-2011, 08:13 PM	#7
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	It was indeed likely the shutter speed. Stop down or up the ISO.

08-04-2011, 11:14 PM	#8
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	100% is definitely pixle peeping. Most photos will not look extremely sharp at 100% and on a 3x4 print that will not matter. I would suggest a 3x4 print to use as you guideline and not a 100% zoom.

08-04-2011, 11:18 PM	#9
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	I too look at them at 100%, if its not sharp at 100% then they get discarded.

08-05-2011, 02:13 AM	#10
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by yeatzee That is unless I feel like making the excuse of fine art AHEM I scrutinise my work thoroughly as well, even with film I was described by colleagues as being overly fond of the 8X loupe - especially with prints.

08-05-2011, 02:46 AM	#11
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	It depends on the picture and what is in it for me. Photos of flowers for instance, I expect to be razor sharp and showing every detail, even at 100%. Photos of The Hound, for instance, I'm happy if I can even recognize him in the photo. Sharp would be nice but since he typically runs from the camera, I take what I can get.

08-05-2011, 05:49 PM	#12
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by TOUGEFC I too look at them at 100%, if its not sharp at 100% then they get discarded. Perv.