The western ascent of Honister Pass

[Alan Clark]

It always amuses me to think that Joanna uses noise reduction on musicians. I remember she did it a while ago on a banjo player...

 

[Toby Webster]

Ha!

 

[Helen Summers]

Very drole guys.

I really feel I have to say something about the last couple or three posts here. Would you kindly get off Joanna's case because I find your smart remarks in this instance at best unkind and at worst mocking. As far as I can see Joanna was doing her best to be helpful. If you don't agree with her fine and say so, that's what this forum is all about. But please don't make smart comments at hers or anyones expense. I cannot recall a single instance where Joanna has been unkind to anyone in the forum no matter how much her opinion has differed.

I enjoy being part of this forum and the way we can agree to differ politely. Let's not start step away from that and continue to treat each other with the same degree of respect and kindness that we expect to receive ourselves.

 

[John King]

Agreed, it may be the combination of internal lighting, high ISO and the over zealous application of propriety noise reduction, followed by a boost to micro contrast. Sometimes a bit of a science experiment to prove a point loses some of the emotion the noise / grain provides an image. That guys fingers look very anaemic, perhaps a doctor is needed

In the 2nd picture it appears to me it has nothing to to do with melted plastic, boosting the contrast or anything else to do with with manipulation, but the law unto optics. If you look at the right hand of the musician that has a sharp outline while the other is blurred. is it not just simply out of focus? The 'mute' held against the instrument shows this even more clearly. The plane of sharp focus is evident with the keys, the right hand and the gentleman's beard. The left hand is plainly and simply out of sharp focus.

 

[Joanna Carter]

Joanna, but in your second photo the hands and the coat look unnaturally smooth - like melted plastic with no hint of texture. He is playing with a mute. Maybe he has muted the texture...
I am aware of the fact that we have discussed this before. And I know you have a preference for the smooth, grain -free look. I respect that, and like the fact that we can discuss these things and agree to differ.

Alan

You need to bear in mind that this was shot with a 135mm lens at f/5.6, so sharpness is going to be selective anyway

 

[Alan Clark]

Joanna, I'm not sure that sharpness has much relevance here. I was referring to the lack of texture in objects that should have texture. Texture is still evident, if it is there in a photograh, even if it is out of focus. And in any case the player's right hand is in sharp focus , but still lacks texture, and looks distinctly odd to my eyes.

 

[Chris J. Zähller]

In the 2nd picture it appears to me it has nothing to to do with melted plastic, boosting the contrast or anything else to do with with manipulation, but the law unto optics. If you look at the right hand of the musician that has a sharp outline while the other is blurred. is it not just simply out of focus? The 'mute' held against the instrument shows this even more clearly. The plane of sharp focus is evident with the keys, the right hand and the gentleman's beard. The left hand is plainly and simply out of sharp focus.

This is what I thought as well.