Question
PSP, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements. Comparison, which is better for Jpeg images.
Here is my problem. On my classic car site I have a couple thousand images of old cars with lots of chrome on them.
The chrome itself is a problem because of the reflections. Highly polished car paint can share this problem.
Another proble comes with the chrome on grilles. Very often these grilles have very highly polished and reflective chrome elements arranged in a parallel pattern.
Closely spaced parallel lines can be a problem for many digital cameras. They can result in something called "Moire" where the lines become jagged instead of straight in the image.
Thats especially true if the photo is not taken straight on.
Ok, so I've got these twp issues to deal with.
Now to the software issues.
I've always used the ArcSoft image software that came with my Mavica Fd5 and Fd75 for reducing the photos. It wasn't perfect, but it did the job better than PSP7, which I have.
But the old ArcSoft program has disappeared into the dungeon, I can't find the CD, or a place to download the old versions. And I kind of doubt it would even run on my newer PC anyhow.
So, PSP7 simply does a crappy job of handling the two image issues. I canmake it barely tolerable, but that's it.
Time for new software.
I can't really afford the full edition of Photoshop right now, so I'm wondering if anyone knows how closely the limited edition, Photoshop Elements might work on this issue.
I don't do any real fancy stuff otherwise, but these twoissues are critical to me.
I'd be willing to try Photoshop Elements, but even then I don't wanto to spend the money if it won't do the job needed. Anyone know how likely it is to work?
Or other software suggestions?
Answer
Kenlee,
if you want to email me a photo sample or post one here I can see if PSP 8.1 will work with what you are trying to fix.
I have no experience with PS elements so I don't know if it would do the trick or not.
I do know that PSP made quite a few improvements with the new version.
Answer
Tanya; Thanks.
These are huge files to start with. I'm loading one up to my server in it's basic state right now.
If you are on a dial up it could take a while to open, 2.4mb. But that might be easier than emailing it. http://community.here.com/infopop/em...icon_smile.gif
Here is the url for the image if you want to copy and save it to try PSP8 on it.
http://www.hubcapcafe.com/i2/pack3701b.jpg
Here is what it looks like after I work it in PSP7 and rsize it to 400 pixels wide. I haven't sharpened this example, which almost always is needed after I resize the image too. That meshy looking grille is actually adjacent straight bright metal strips that run verticle up and down the grille.
http://www.hubcapcafe.com/i2/pack3701b.jpg
Answer
BTW, this photo was taken with a new Nikon D70. I'm none too happy with this $1,800.00 camera. Maybe I just need to learn how to use it better.
........sigh.
Answer
http://homepage.mac.com/stratfords/pack3701b.jpg
This is with elements 2.
Answer
I don't have an instant answer for you, but I'm fairly certain that you won't see any significant improvement just by changing software.
You've got several problems:
The first is the jpg file. jpg uses lossy compression.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Lossy vs. Lossless compression: Lossy compression is a compression method that eliminates data to reduce the file size, while lossless compression retains all of the original image data and reduces the file size by storing patterns of pixels in the image. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You need to chose a format that uses lossless compression. GIF or PNG will work.
Your second problem is dithering. You need to set your preferences so that it doesn't dither the colors when it resizes or saves the image. The best way to do that is to reduce the colors manually without dithering before you resize (best is 256 colors). Then don't allow dithering on resizing.
You also need to look at your optimization settings. It's set way too high. Looking at the pic you posted, can you see the "flat" places in the sidewalk and the edge of the house? Remember, you can always go from less to more, but you can't undo more.
Play with it more....and read the help files about options.
Answer
Les; Thanks. That looks better to me. See note to jayne below.
Jayne;
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>can you see the "flat" places <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
uh....no. That's probably a big part of my problems with the whole site.
1: I'm red/green color blind.
2: Even with glasses, uh.... I really don't see that well.
3: Just for kicks, I also barely understand how this stuff works. That's why I like to stay with the simplest software that works reasonably well.
As far as the compression goes.
I set the image I posted here at 30%.
[added] 0 - 100: 0 being minimum compression, 100 being maximum compression?]
If I understand correctly, that's a modest level fo images that are going on the web. But between resizing and compression the image went from 2.4mb to about 19kb. That's a little lite. Normally I'm ok with around 25 - 35kb for each image.
I know that's still lite, but it's a compromise I make for various reasons.
Answer
KENLEE!!!!!!!!!
I am so sorry... I totally forgot to do this for you.
feel free to smack me upside the head. lol
Here is what I have
http://s89908203.onlinehome.us/here/pack.html
the first one is your original compressed with no fiddling on the color/contrast controls - just reduced and saved with photoshop.
second one I did some color/contrast stuff and reduced/compressed. (photoshop again)
Next two are the same - only done with PSP8.1
I hope this helps you with your questions and I am very very sorry that I forgot. You should have PM'd me or sent me an email or a frying pan. lol
Answer
I wasn't able to access the larger version of your picture - both links were the same picture in your message - but I think I can help with problems like this.
If you select the grill area before resizing with the lasso tool and then apply a Gaussian blur (.5 - 2 points - you'll have to dink around and find the best setting) with anti-aliasing turned on and maybe 3-4 points of feathering before re-sizing the image, you can then sharpen the picture, when it's the final size.
The Gaussian blur is a very handy tool for preventing that moire - and for cleaning up the matrix from scanned dot-print image, like a product package or a magazine page. It helps to start with an image much larger than the final product.
Sharpening the picture before you resize it will increase the moire effect in the final picture.
I don't have PSP7 installed any more, but I know it will fix this problem - it's an amazing package of software. If I can help, I'll reinstall it so that I can get the exact steps for you. (Everything changed in version 8 - and I guess my brain was full - data dump so I could fit in the stuff I needed to know for 8. )
Hope that's some help! I'm no whiz-kid with this software - haven't even begun to use its capabilities - but getting good pictures for the web is something I have to do a few times a week, with five active web sites. Glad to help you out if I can.
zig