Fading Files?
Nov 3, 2023 11:04:48 #
While reviewing and culling some older folders/files/pictures, I noticed something that prompted this question: “Has anyone notice ‘any’ degradation of old (20+ years) electronic photo files, i.e., fading colors or loss of sharpness? If so, any idea what might be the cause?” This is not noticeable on all older files, but enough to prompt this question.
Background Info:
I’m a Fujifilm (jpeg) shooter, mostly using the Vivid film simulation. File management and main post processing system is Lightroom 6.14...supported with a few up-to-date plug-ins and transfer programs at my disposal when necessary: Photoshop Elements 2024, Luminar Neo, Exposure 7, Capture 1, 22 (for Fujifilm), DXO Photolab 6, and Inpixo Photo Studio 12. Programs are on the C drive; photos files are stored on an external hard drive.
I use a SmugMug site to display my photos…but the file fading does not appear to affect the site (and that’s good).
I've consider that my perceived "file degradation" might be due to improved PP programs; and/or increased PP skills and more critically demanding taste.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Background Info:
I’m a Fujifilm (jpeg) shooter, mostly using the Vivid film simulation. File management and main post processing system is Lightroom 6.14...supported with a few up-to-date plug-ins and transfer programs at my disposal when necessary: Photoshop Elements 2024, Luminar Neo, Exposure 7, Capture 1, 22 (for Fujifilm), DXO Photolab 6, and Inpixo Photo Studio 12. Programs are on the C drive; photos files are stored on an external hard drive.
I use a SmugMug site to display my photos…but the file fading does not appear to affect the site (and that’s good).
I've consider that my perceived "file degradation" might be due to improved PP programs; and/or increased PP skills and more critically demanding taste.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Nov 3, 2023 11:15:24 #
Digital files don't fade or degrade over time, the file data remains the same.
RENDERING (what you see) in a different editor may be different though.
Any chance you have a new monitor or cataracts?
RENDERING (what you see) in a different editor may be different though.
Any chance you have a new monitor or cataracts?
Nov 3, 2023 11:21:27 #
Digital images fading over time? Somehow I think it might be your recall that's not lining up. Our evaluations can change over time and images that we found acceptable or normal a few years ago can now seem unsaturated and lacking contrast. We are exposed to ultra-vivid images all the time and that will have the effect of desensitising us. As far as I know, 1s and 0s don't deteriorate over time .
.Nov 3, 2023 11:28:43 #
Longshadow wrote:
Digital files don't fade or degrade over time, the file data remains the same.
RENDERING (what you see) in a different editor may be different though.
Any chance you have a new monitor or cataracts?
RENDERING (what you see) in a different editor may be different though.
Any chance you have a new monitor or cataracts?
LOL....(calm down)...no new monitor and no cataract...(yet)
...(but at one time I used Picasa for editing?)Nov 3, 2023 11:32:30 #
RonDavis wrote:
LOL....(calm down)...no new monitor and no cataract...(yet) ...(but at one time I used Picasa for editing?)
...(but at one time I used Picasa for editing?)Sorry, "software degradation" is a programmer's joke...
Then it was the rendering in the editor.....
Not all editors render that same data the same way.
Nov 3, 2023 11:36:39 #
Nov 3, 2023 11:37:12 #
R.G. wrote:
Digital images fading over time? Somehow I think it might be your recall that's not lining up. Our evaluations can change over time and images that we found acceptable or normal a few years ago can now seem unsaturated and lacking contrast. We are exposed to ultra-vivid images all the time and that will have the effect of desensitising us. As far as I know, 1s and 0s don't deteriorate over time .
.Well, I certainly considered that at the end of my post:
"I've consider that my perceived "file degradation" might be due to improved PP programs; and/or increased PP skills and more critically demanding taste".
Thanks for reinforcing my suspension...
Nov 3, 2023 11:40:45 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Great internet rumor to start today on UHH!!
No rumor intended....I don't troll...and you know that. A legit question looking for an explanation.....
Nov 3, 2023 11:48:36 #
RonDavis wrote:
No rumor intended....I don't troll...and you know that. A legit question looking for an explanation.....
But, you start with the false idea that digital files could / do 'fade'. Everyone that knows anything about computers says, "no, it doesn't work like that." Everyone else who knows nothing about computers says, "great, it's not my imagination." Awesome UHH contribution!!
Nov 3, 2023 12:28:18 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
But, you start with the false idea that digital files could / do 'fade'. Everyone that knows anything about computers says, "no, it doesn't work like that." Everyone else who knows nothing about computers says, "great, it's not my imagination." Awesome UHH contribution!!
My question was: “Has anyone notice ‘any’ degradation of old (20+ years) electronic photo files, i.e., fading colors or loss of sharpness? If so, any idea what might be the cause?” This is not noticeable on all older files, but enough to prompt this question".
My post ended with a caveat: “I've consider that my perceived "file degradation" might be due to improved PP programs; and/or increased PP skills and more critically demanding taste”.
OK…enough said about this.
Have a nice day
Nov 3, 2023 12:33:51 #
RonDavis wrote:
My question was: “Has anyone notice ‘any’ degrada... (show quote)
There are a few people who <erroneously> believe that though.
Nov 3, 2023 12:46:28 #
RonDavis wrote:
My question was: “Has anyone notice ‘any’ degrada... (show quote)
Digital files don't deteriorate. The media that hold the files (disc, SSD, HDD etc..) could deteriorate but then when that happens you have errors not faded color or losing sharpness.
I think if you do notice any deterioration it has to be with your eyesight. Eyesight changes a whole lot in 20 years both in color perception and sharpness.
Nov 3, 2023 13:11:04 #
Longshadow wrote:
There are a few people who <erroneously> believe that though.
The lucky ones that read this (hopefully) informative and unintentional thread may change their beliefs...
Nov 3, 2023 13:12:01 #
RonDavis wrote:
The lucky ones that read this (hopefully) informative and unintentional thread may change their beliefs...
One can only hope.....
Nov 3, 2023 13:13:57 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Digital files don't deteriorate. The media that hold the files (disc, SSD, HDD etc..) could deteriorate but then when that happens you have errors not faded color or losing sharpness.
I think if you do notice any deterioration it has to be with your eyesight. Eyesight changes a whole lot in 20 years both in color perception and sharpness.
I think if you do notice any deterioration it has to be with your eyesight. Eyesight changes a whole lot in 20 years both in color perception and sharpness.
Thanks.....that's been thoroughly explained in this thread.....
(Eyesight is excellent)...PP taste has become more demanding....
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