Spotting questions

In article , says…

I find myself spotting my scans multiple times during a workflow. I start out spotting the scratches and dust on a duplicate background layer of a raw scan which typically looks pretty dark. I would use a combination of the Clone tool and History Brush. Then I run NeatImage to remove grain level noise. Then I make tonal and color corrections which typically results in many levels (with pixels), masks, and adjustment layers. As the image becomes brighter and more contrasty, I would notice scratches and dust missed in the initial spotting. At this point, what is the best way to spot so that I can make modifications to the existing layers and adjustment layers later on? On a single layer, or on all layers? A similar scenario would arise after sharpening, and I would be faced with similar questions. Thanks.

I’d make the exposure/contrast adjustments with an Adjustment Layer, and then do all of the spotting. Being able to see the defects will obviously help, and any color adjustments would come at the end of the work-flow, just before any Sharpening. Historically, I establish a highly zoomed view (21" hi-rez monitor) and basically check each pixel in that view. When I’m satisfied, I move my view over and do the same. On and on, so it goes, until I have visually scanned the entire image, usually at a much larger magnification, than the client will ever use the image. It is tedious, but if a defect cannot be seen at this higher magnification, hopefully it will never be seen however the image is reproduced.

By doing color, then sharpening last, I don’t have to worry about having to re-correct color in some fix I have made.

Does this help you, or have I only confused your issue?
Hunt

Hunt wrote:

In article , says…

I find myself spotting my scans multiple times during a workflow. I start out spotting the scratches and dust on a duplicate background layer of a raw scan which typically looks pretty dark. I would use a combination of the Clone tool and History Brush. Then I run NeatImage to remove grain level noise. Then I make tonal and color corrections which typically results in many levels (with pixels), masks, and adjustment layers. As the image becomes brighter and more contrasty, I would notice scratches and dust missed in the initial spotting. At this point, what is the best way to spot so that I can make modifications to the existing layers and adjustment layers later on? On a single layer, or on all layers? A similar scenario would arise after sharpening, and I would be faced with similar questions. Thanks.

I’d make the exposure/contrast adjustments with an Adjustment Layer, and then do all of the spotting. Being able to see the defects will obviously help, and any color adjustments would come at the end of the work-flow, just before any Sharpening. Historically, I establish a highly zoomed view (21" hi-rez monitor) and basically check each pixel in that view. When I’m satisfied, I move my view over and do the same. On and on, so it goes, until I have visually scanned the entire image, usually at a much larger magnification, than the client will ever use the image. It is tedious, but if a defect cannot be seen at this higher magnification, hopefully it will never be seen however the image is reproduced.

By doing color, then sharpening last, I don’t have to worry about having to re-correct color in some fix I have made.

Does this help you, or have I only confused your issue?
Hunt

No you are not confusing me. In fact I do something very similar. Before any color and tonal corrections, I would duplicate an image in another window and display both side by side. In one window I would boost brightness and contrast, and may even sharpen it. This usually lets me see the dark dust and scratches much better. Then I show grids and display both windows at 100%. By scrolling both images lock stepped, I would be able to track and spot the entire unedited image. That image would then be saved and the other discarded.

If I do this in a single window with adjustment layers, I can’t seem to spot properly. Hence the questions.

wrote:

I find myself spotting my scans multiple times during a workflow. I start out spotting the scratches and dust on a duplicate background layer of a raw scan which typically looks pretty dark. I would use a combination of the Clone tool and History Brush. Then I run NeatImage to remove grain level noise. Then I make tonal and color corrections which typically results in many levels (with pixels), masks, and adjustment layers. As the image becomes brighter and more contrasty, I would notice scratches and dust missed in the initial spotting. At this point, what is the best way to spot so that I can make modifications to the existing layers and adjustment layers later on? On a single layer, or on all layers? A similar scenario would arise after sharpening, and I would be faced with similar questions. Thanks.

It is difficult to see blemishes in the dark parts of an image. Therefore I start correcting the light parts, and when I am done, I invert the image before I continue my work. Finally, I invert the image again. I use to invert alpha channels as well temporarily before applying them as a mask. Often I find that I’ve overlooked some imperfections in the dark areas.
Peter

Peter Wollenberg wrote:

wrote:

I find myself spotting my scans multiple times during a workflow. I start out spotting the scratches and dust on a duplicate background layer of a raw scan which typically looks pretty dark. I would use a combination of the Clone tool and History Brush. Then I run NeatImage to remove grain level noise. Then I make tonal and color corrections which typically results in many levels (with pixels), masks, and adjustment layers. As the image becomes brighter and more contrasty, I would notice scratches and dust missed in the initial spotting. At this point, what is the best way to spot so that I can make modifications to the existing layers and adjustment layers later on? On a single layer, or on all layers? A similar scenario would arise after sharpening, and I would be faced with similar questions. Thanks.

It is difficult to see blemishes in the dark parts of an image. Therefore I start correcting the light parts, and when I am done, I invert the image before I continue my work. Finally, I invert the image again. I use to invert alpha channels as well temporarily before applying them as a mask. Often I find that I’ve overlooked some imperfections in the dark areas.
Peter

Thanks. Another confirmation that multiple iterations of spotting may be required.