Weird spirals processing multiple images

PushTheRedButton · 03-08-2015, 03:49 PM

So when processing multiple images through Photomatix I end up with weird spirals in the finished product. These can be fixed with the microsmoothing tab but at the same time upping the microsmoothing really takes away from the overall effect of tonemapping. Here's one I just did, the spiraling is not as bad but you can still see it's there in the upper corners. Any thoughts?

Camera is K5 and the lens is Sigma 8-16mm shot at 8mm stopped down to f/5.6 for this shot.

Last edited by PushTheRedButton; 03-08-2015 at 06:56 PM. Reason: different f-stop than thought

**jatrax** · 03-08-2015, 03:52 PM

I think that would be called 'banding'. Are the images RAW or jpg? And did you have any filters on?

Sliver-Surfer · 03-08-2015, 06:16 PM - **2 Likes**

My thoughts are that you used a vignette removal tool then did clarify or sharpening or HDR and it enhanced the gradual changes from light to dark. Try doing vignette removal last, see if that helps

PushTheRedButton · 03-08-2015, 06:54 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

I think that would be called 'banding'. Are the images RAW or jpg? And did you have any filters on?

RAW, no filters

Originally posted by dcshooter

Posterization.

You'll likely have better results if you start with higher bit-depth images (e.g. 16 bit rather than 8), since you'll have larger numbers of tones to work with in the highlight and shadow areas.

What software like Photomatix does is combine and stretch tonal ranges from one or more photos to cover a larger portion of the overall black to white tone curve. If your original sky image is only composed of a small number of very similar tones, as you stretch out the curve, there will still only be that same number of tones, but their differences will be exaggerated, making the borders between those areas much more obvious.

Jpeg images are nearly always 8 bit (there is a such thing as 12 bit jpeg, but it's rarely used).

They're 16 bit

Originally posted by Sliver-Surfer

My thoughts are that you used a vignette removal tool then did clarify or sharpening or HDR and it enhanced the gradual changes from light to dark. Try doing vignette removal last, see if that helps

Boom. This is the answer. I should have mentioned I also use DXO optics and after reprocessing with vignette removal after, those spirals are gone. Thank you

Sliver-Surfer · 03-08-2015, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by PushTheRedButton

Boom. This is the answer. I should have mentioned I also use DXO optics and after reprocessing with vignette removal after, those spirals are gone. Thank you

You are most welcome!

Chr1st0ph3r · 03-09-2015, 10:01 PM

I know you have removed your banding...food for thought...I have found that to high of a contrast increase can cause the banding effect as well.

03-08-2015, 03:49 PM	#1
PushTheRedButton Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 83	Weird spirals processing multiple images So when processing multiple images through Photomatix I end up with weird spirals in the finished product. These can be fixed with the microsmoothing tab but at the same time upping the microsmoothing really takes away from the overall effect of tonemapping. Here's one I just did, the spiraling is not as bad but you can still see it's there in the upper corners. Any thoughts? Camera is K5 and the lens is Sigma 8-16mm shot at 8mm stopped down to f/5.6 for this shot. Last edited by PushTheRedButton; 03-08-2015 at 06:56 PM. Reason: different f-stop than thought

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Best Post Processing Program algorithms for K-3 Raw Images?	Krusty Surfer	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	29	09-05-2015 05:26 PM
Multiple shooters for an event, how do you handle processing?	ChooseAName	Photographic Industry and Professionals	13	04-18-2013 01:30 PM
Compositing multiple images shot using the k5iis	wafflehaus	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	7	02-22-2013 07:30 AM
weird images from sony	larryinlc	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	4	08-20-2012 09:43 PM
Not Work-Safe First post here (multiple images)	Drinkkeri	Post Your Photos!	10	10-26-2009 04:52 PM

03-08-2015, 03:52 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	I think that would be called 'banding'. Are the images RAW or jpg? And did you have any filters on?

03-08-2015, 06:16 PM - 2 Likes	#3
Sliver-Surfer Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,558	My thoughts are that you used a vignette removal tool then did clarify or sharpening or HDR and it enhanced the gradual changes from light to dark. Try doing vignette removal last, see if that helps

03-08-2015, 06:54 PM	#4
PushTheRedButton Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 83 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax I think that would be called 'banding'. Are the images RAW or jpg? And did you have any filters on? RAW, no filters Originally posted by dcshooter Posterization. You'll likely have better results if you start with higher bit-depth images (e.g. 16 bit rather than 8), since you'll have larger numbers of tones to work with in the highlight and shadow areas. What software like Photomatix does is combine and stretch tonal ranges from one or more photos to cover a larger portion of the overall black to white tone curve. If your original sky image is only composed of a small number of very similar tones, as you stretch out the curve, there will still only be that same number of tones, but their differences will be exaggerated, making the borders between those areas much more obvious. Jpeg images are nearly always 8 bit (there is a such thing as 12 bit jpeg, but it's rarely used). They're 16 bit Originally posted by Sliver-Surfer My thoughts are that you used a vignette removal tool then did clarify or sharpening or HDR and it enhanced the gradual changes from light to dark. Try doing vignette removal last, see if that helps Boom. This is the answer. I should have mentioned I also use DXO optics and after reprocessing with vignette removal after, those spirals are gone. Thank you

03-08-2015, 07:31 PM	#5
Sliver-Surfer Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,558	Originally posted by PushTheRedButton Boom. This is the answer. I should have mentioned I also use DXO optics and after reprocessing with vignette removal after, those spirals are gone. Thank you You are most welcome!

03-09-2015, 10:01 PM	#6
Chr1st0ph3r New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 20	I know you have removed your banding...food for thought...I have found that to high of a contrast increase can cause the banding effect as well.