BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Printing Digital Pictures

Photography Question 

Michelle B. Prince
 

Photo Problems - With Hair, Pinstripes


I am having a problem with some of my photos indoor and out. People's hair often looks crimped (zig-zag), and striped clothing also looks weird. Any suggestions on what is wrong here. I can usually fix the hair problem by blurring it a little in Photoshop, but the pinstripe shirt is a mess.


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March 20, 2005

 

Diane Dupuis
  I think you have to be a little more specific. Are you using film or digital? I've had that striped look but only after I've scanned some prints.


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March 20, 2005

 

Christopher A. Vedros
  Michelle,
Do you see these patterns when you view your images on screen, or in your prints? I've had images where a pattern with fine lines (like a herringbone jacket) will look wavy and distorted on screen. But if I zoom in or out, it will look normal again. I think it has to do with the way the lines are interpolated on the screen. I haven't had any problems printing these images.


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March 20, 2005

 

Michelle B. Prince
  I am using a Digital Rebel. I have not tried to print any yet, but I guess I should. It almost looks like the person's hair is frizzy (not flattering), and I can see it on the monitor.


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March 21, 2005

 

Peter K. Burian
  Michelle:
It may be one of two problems.
1) Do you have the best JPEG quality set in your camera? Large and Super Fine.
2) Do you have a very high level of Sharpening set in camera? Re-set it to the default setting.
Peter Burian


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March 21, 2005

 

Bob Cammarata
  That is the computer's interpretation of a straight line. I've seen this happen quite often on my scanned images.
The zig-zag pattern seems most pronounced on diagonals.


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March 21, 2005

 

Michelle B. Prince
  Thank you all. The zig-zag did not print, thank goodness. It does look wierd on the screen though. I have been showing people their proofs as a slideshow on the computer. I may have to change the way I present, as this doesn't look nice.


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March 21, 2005

 
photosbysharon.com - Sharon E. Lowe

BetterPhoto Member
Contact Sharon E. Lowe
Sharon E. Lowe's Gallery
  Michelle - The problem sounds like "moire" and it is usually seen on things like pin strips. It will really only show on on digital (or scanned) images and it is due to the fact that pixels are square and are trying to create the diagonal. To minimize, shoot at the highest resolution possible and try different angles to avoid it. There are programs and techniques you can use to get rid of it. Do a web search on moire and digital and you'll find lots of information.


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March 23, 2005

 

Michelle B. Prince
 
 
 
Here it is. His jeans do not have any unusual pattern but I see it on the screen. If I zoom in it goes away.


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March 23, 2005

 

Michelle B. Prince
 
 
 
oops the photo did not show up


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March 23, 2005

 

Michelle B. Prince
  OK that is wierd, I don't see it here but it's clearly there when I look at it in the image experts or photoshop on my computer.


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March 23, 2005

 

Laura Berman
  Michelle,
You'll only see the zigzags when you are looking at the image at a very small size. It might look large on your computer screen but you'll notice that the image on your screen is probably somewhere around 12%-33% of the actual image size. If you zoom in to above 33% I bet you won't see the moiré patterns at all. (They are especially noticeable in thumbnails) Don't worry -- the moiré won't print.
But do take everyone's advice about which setting to use on your Rebel--highest resolution, least compression and sharpening. The manual details all of this quite nicely.


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March 24, 2005

 
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