Anyone know what causes this? From time to time-always in low light photos only- I get what I refer to as a shadow around part of the image. In this example it appears around part of...

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

From time to time-always in low light photos only- I get what I refer to as a shadow around part of the image. In this example it appears around part of the single Saguaro on the right of the photo. Doesn't happen all of the time, but often enough to irritate. Anyone have an idea as to what causes this phenomenon?

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

This image doesn't have any EXIF data. What did the original image look like coming out of the camera? What has been done to the image since then? It looks like a lot of processing when looking at the wavy details around all the arms of both cacti. Could the cause be one of your processing steps?

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

I'm certainly no expert but I have noted firmware/software induced things in the high contrast edges in many photos. On the other hand, since it occurs closer to the edge of the photo and not so so much in the center, some sort of lens thing may be going on.

Just my observations, not backed by any logical reasoning.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

photogeneralist wrote:

I'm certainly no expert but I have noted firmware/software induced things in the high contrast edges in many photos. On the other hand, since it occurs closer to the edge of the photo and not so so much in the center, some sort of lens thing may be going on.

Just my observations, not backed by any logical reasoning.

Thank you.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

CHG_CANON wrote:

This image doesn't have any EXIF data. What did the original image look like coming out of the camera? What has been done to the image since then? It looks like a lot of processing when looking at the wavy details around all the arms of both cacti. Could the cause be one of your processing steps?

Well, I believe you are correct. Went back to the original OOC image and walked through the processing steps. Everything was fine until I reduced the highlights. That's when the "shadow" appeared. Will go back to a couple of other examples to see if the same result obtains. Thanks a lot!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

windshoppe wrote:

Well, I believe you are correct. Went back to the original OOC image and walked through the processing steps. Everything was fine until I reduced the highlights. That's when the "shadow" appeared. Will go back to a couple of other examples to see if the same result obtains. Thanks a lot!

Glad to help. Is it possible just a smudge on the lens or something on the sensor that becomes more apparent when lowering / darkening the exposure? It should be in the same place over and over if it's on the equipment.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Adjusting highlights and shadows is not flawless in its operation.
(I've done a few and said "Yuck!".)
Some programs may be better at it than others.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

CHG_CANON wrote:

Glad to help. Is it possible just a smudge on the lens or something on the sensor that becomes more apparent when lowering / darkening the exposure? It should be in the same place over and over if it's on the equipment.

I went back and checked another example where I had the same problem and it was in a different area of the photo. Once again walked back the processing steps and found the same thing. Both highlight reduction and whites adjustment created the same effect. Lesson learned!

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Longshadow wrote:

Adjusting highlights and shadows is not flawless in its operation.
(I've done a few and said "Yuck!".)
Some programs may be better at it than others.

Indeed so!

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Looks like post processing caused. Compare it to the image right out of the camera.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

In order to get a more accurate response, it would be necessary to provide, in detail, your camera settings and processing steps, again in detail, to enable us to more specifically analyze the root cause. With what you've provided here, you'll only get WAGs.
--Bob

windshoppe wrote:

From time to time-always in low light photos only- I get what I refer to as a shadow around part of the image. In this example it appears around part of the single Saguaro on the right of the photo. Doesn't happen all of the time, but often enough to irritate. Anyone have an idea as to what causes this phenomenon?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am no editing expert but when I saw the image I immediately thought of something you did during editing. I watch carefully when editing high contrast images.

fantom Loc: Colorado

windshoppe wrote:

From time to time-always in low light photos only- I get what I refer to as a shadow around part of the image. In this example it appears around part of the single Saguaro on the right of the photo. Doesn't happen all of the time, but often enough to irritate. Anyone have an idea as to what causes this phenomenon?

I cannot say for sure but to me it looks somewhat like the feathering around LR's adjustment brush.

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

Sorry, but I just don't see any unwarranted shadows - only vegetation. The large bush in front of the cactus I think you're describing isn't totally sharp in the low light, but shadows? I don't see any. Perhaps my eyes just aren't sophisticated enough in analyzing photos.

Otherwise, the photo is very good. I'd put that on my wall with no reservations.

ron

fantom Loc: Colorado

Look at the cactus on the right and look above where it extends beyond the mountains. There is a very distinct grayish (or cloud colorish) "halo" around the cactus. It is not oval but is uniform as to width (the distance it extends beyond the cactus).
Hopefully this will let you spot it. The more people trying to identify it the better. FWIW I grow more certain that it is a faint PP/LR artifact from feathering an adjustment tool.