Pointillism for Images
Tips to working with images at the bitmap or pixel level.
1. Look for blurry versus clear color areas
Spots of blur really stand out in greater resolution pixelations. Interspersed patterns of grey or mixed black and white at the bitmap level are usually the result of some kind of script, technique or shadow. If you are using raw stock, then look for a “batch’ or plot of pixilated quality you can supplant the present blurry one with. With experience you will get used to blending the edges and introducing the new pasted area appropriately with a minimum of fussy border trapping.
2. Look for spots of shine that put the photo off-balance
The general shine and light relationship is best not played with. But sometimes the white balance and calibrated raw file might have so much appeal that a tiny little bit of color balance and shine or light elimination can make the file “pureâ€. Aiming for top submission quality is key. If the composition, resolution, and light and subject matter is right, the image is worth fixing.
3. Recapture color from “healthier†bitmap zones
Look for the color you are trying to enrich in other parts of the photo. Estimate where in the photo this quality is and examine the bitmap color pixels at 800 pixels per inch resolutions. Using definitions of upshades and downshades woven into a solid creates depth and definition where none existed before. This can work to balance a focused background.
4. Work from large to small
The largest resolution of the photograph will absorb the most error. It also requires the most mouse clocking and repetitive editing. By using the bitmap utility and editing color at the bitmap level, work at the largest magnification possible. When reduced, any defects will look like natural shading or blend in the reduction minimized view. View the image in the viewer to see how the work is going. Go back to the original raw file if the experiment is a disaster or you don’t have time to complete effect in the required area in the available amount of time.
5. Deepen existing colors
Sharpening and brightening at the bitmap level takes effort, time and resources. But if you have all the other elements you need inside the raw file, some partial area bitmap adjustment won’t kill the image virtuosity. Pick out a midtone from the desired color shade area and click several densities into the affected area. Do not use the default color bar palette unless you are very familiar with the tonal elements inside these colors.
