Re: 16 bit editing...

[Michael Greer <mgreer316@yahoo.com>]

Dave,

Many times I preserve my images in 16 bits throughout my editing sessions
because the theory of using 16 bits in editing sessions makes sense to my
rational mind. But I gotta tell you, I have yet to actually see these
differences in real pictures. MANY are very passionate about editing in 16
bits. They give you the reasoning. They present charts and graphs. They give
you test cases (like color bands), instruct you to perform various editing
functions, then tell you to evaluate the histogram to see the differences. But
in all my years of doing this, I have yet to have 1 person present 2 real
pictures, one edited in 8 bits, the other in 16 bits, that actually reveals the
difference. It's not just me either. Dan Margulis, author of Professional
Photoshop apparently has a standing bet. From what I've heard, he's challenged
anybody to produce an image that reveals the difference in the image, not in
charts or graphs. From my understanding, nobody has done it yet.

I stand ready to be convinced because the reasons to edit in 16 bits do make
sense to me. So much so that I do edit in 16 bits many times for "just in case"
reasons. But until I acutally see an example of the difference, I'll never be
fully convinced that it matters.

> 
> 
> Bob,
> 
> Just wanted to ask a few questions regarding 16-bit editing.  Are you
> working in B&W or color (maybe both)?  I've read that the main benefit of
> 16-bit editing is in the preservation of shadow detail, but it sounds like
> you apply it to most if not all of your images.  The dumb question to ask
> would be "Do you really see a big difference?" but obviously you do or you
> wouldn't make the effort.  So instead I'll just ask if you could maybe make
> a few comments describing images in which you've compared 16-bit and 8-bit
> editing (perhaps from your original testing?)
> 
> I haven't tried it yet with my color work in that I tend to work with large
> files (300 meg scans that can get very big, very fast), and I'm afraid that
> going to 16-bit might clog my Mac a bit.  Your comments will be
> appreciated...
> 
> Dave Schrader
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 


=====
Visit my digital photography web site along with a lot of other interesting stuff at http://www.mikegreer.com. Also, Greer and Associates (http://www.greeraa.com) offers studio photography, digital imaging services, web site design/construction, and training. 

Mike Greer

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