Professional photographer Anthony Morganti of 'I Am Mr Photographer' has published a new video that shows viewers how to systematically search for sensor spots (or water droplets and other unwanted specks) in an image using Adobe Lightroom Classic. The method is very simple and relies on a few keyboard shortcuts, as Morganti explains in his video.
Using this method, Lightroom users zoom in on the image and set the zoom box to the upper left-hand side of the image. From there, Morganti simply uses his computer's Page Down function to scan through zoomed portions of the image in columns. The video includes instructions for viewers using Mac and viewers whose keyboards lack dedicated shortcut keys, among other things.
Great little hint. I;ve been dragging the image around to find spots on my scans of film photos. This procedure does it easily for you. PLus it appears there's a little overlap from one frame to the next so you won't miss anything.
There is no harm repeating a useful technique, even though some people will know it already. Anthony Morganti’s videos are full of little gems, some more obvious, others less so.
The Lightroom spot visualisation is one of the few things that in my opinion Lightroom does a lot better than Capture One, coupled with the ability to remove unlimited spots. Possibly this is related to C1’s inability to look at white and black points with a threshold type visualisation. If only C1 would add these, it would take away one of the areas that keeps me and maybe many others committed to Lightroom.
If you're testing to see whether the sensor needs cleaning, it helps if you shoot a white wall out of focus and use a long-ish exposure while wiggling the camera so that no detail other than dust specks will be recorded. Then, in LR, heavily boost contrast. Makes the dust really, really obvious. Of course, this could make you worry about dust that you'd otherwise never see.
Yeah, I found if you take a long exposure and move the camear around the spots show easily. What I need now is away to use it as a base line and remove spots automatically from all subsequent images, preferable in camera
Thanks for this. I've been using this technique with Photoshop for years and somehow never got around to trying it on Lightroom.
Let me add a couple things now that I've tried it. (on my Mac)
First, hit the Tab key and that will hide the side panels so you can use the entire screen. Second, if you use the Shift-PageDown you will scroll from side to side instead of top to bottom which is useful for mainly checking the skies. I rarely see sensor spots on the ground part of my images.
The claim in the video that these were water droplets on the lens, and not sensor spots was almost certainly wrong. These were most definitely sensor spots. Objects on the lens will always show up as blurred areas in the image, and not discrete circles. The technical reason for this is that objects or marks on the lens are so far out of the depth of field that they will be completely out of focus. The marks in this video have clear boundaries.
I think it is somewhat remiss of DPreview to highlight videos that mislead it's readers with technically inaccurate explanations.
If you see spots with clearly defined edges and shapes in your images like this, you need to clean your sensor, not your lens.
Am I the only one who would rather have photography tips, tricks, and tutorials described in words, rather than video? It's so much easier to skip through at my own pace rather than being forced to watch the entire thing just to find out that there's actually nothing new to learn after all.
Absolutely. If we're not careful, we'll become a generation of illiterate photographers. There are waaaaay too many low quality vlogs doing the rounds at the moment.
Website editors have forgotten what responsibilities come with the title 'editor'. Many now see 3rd party vlogs as a way to take the onus of them to produce content.
Younger people tend to read much lesser nowadays. video is much easier to digest for most youngsters/instagram/tiktok generation (as I see it with my own children.)
This youtuber has at least followed the 101 rule of youtube marketing: make your videos at least 3 minutes in length. All could have been explained in less than a minute.
Can't we have both? If you don't have a firm grasp on all the terminology newer photographers can become confused reading a poorly worded step by step guide, whereas seeing each step carried out in a video removes all doubt.
As I said, having the tutorial laid out in both written and video format is the best of both worlds.
Or at least tell us the second where he says the one sentence we all want to hear. Why would I spend three minutes watching a video if I could simply read one paragraph of text?
People learn differently, and especially if the process is lengthy (like it requires 10 steps) it is helpful to show someone too along with verbal instructions. Some learn by reading only, some need visuals or audio so they remember it better. I guess if you're going to pick one medium to deliver such instructions, it's better to error on the side of doing a video versus just audio or just text/written.
For this feature, yeah a sentence or two is all you need. But if you're say for example, teaching someone new to LR the Basics panel, you might want a video instead so you can show them both what the sliders are and what impact they have on your image.
It's even more effective if you have a macro lens. This is because at 1:1 or smaller, the effective aperture of the smallest aperture on your lens, will be at least 2 f-stops smaller, meaning the dust spots will be even more visible.
Attach the macro lens. Set it on your smallest aperture, focus the lens at it's closest point, aim it at an even area of illumination like a cloudy sky, light colour wall etc, using a low ISO. Your exposure will be in seconds. Just keep moving the camera around slightly for the period of the exposure for even illumination. Then do an auto levels adjust on your image, and all the marks on your sensor will be crystal clear. Prepare to be horrified. You only need to get rid of the clear marks as the rest will not show up in ordinary images.
You're missing the point. This is a tutorial on how to remove spots from an actual image so it can be salvaged or perfected. Not solely on how to detect sensor grime.
And tomorrow: a new trick that makes it easy to keep your work even when turning off your computer. The method is very simple. Using this method, users open the File menu and choose the "Save" item. The video includes instructions for advanced users who apply the trick by pressing the Ctrl-S hot key.
No, that won't work. The video instructions would be incomplete. You must then type a name for the file you want to save and then press Enter or Return. You can also change the folder it's saved to, but this is only for convenience when retrieving the file you've saved. (That technique will be covered in a future video.) Once this method is mastered, one can than leap to the next level and master the Ctrl-S keyboard shortcut trick. But that won't work for Apple users because they don't have a Ctrl key. That applies to non-Apple keyboards. But experienced Apple users will recognize the key equivalent -- the Command key -- and can use that in conjunction with the S key. I hope tomorrow's video will include these written instructions. For some people, it's better to read text than follow a lengthy video; for others, it's more comfortable to watch a video demonstration with verbal instructions. To each his own. Who am I to judge? I'm just a stupid prolix solipsist. And I've run out of char
I feel cheated. I know how to use the Spot Removal tool and the visualization option/slider as well as to how to navigate the image as shown. I was expecting an actual NEW way to visualize dust spots.
I use a trick that leverages the levels panel and individually compress each channel around the data to expose and separate the spots more easily.
Everyone knows this tip. Every LR 101 class teaches this technique so it's nothing new and pretty self explanatory. Now if only C1 could employ a similar function for detecting spots, that would be nice.
@sirhawkeye64 Not everyone reads through beginner courses. I prefer learning by playing around with the software and then if there's things I don't know how to do I will search for them.
Judging by the Youtube comment section of the video it seems like I was not the only one that didn't know this trick either.
Many people, myself included, are self taught. While I knew how to use spot removal, I never noticed the visualize spots box, or the less useful keyboard shortcut to systematically pan over the image.
How can you teach yourself something you don't know? You rely on books, tutorials, etc., to teach you. Since tutorials run the gamut in quality and usefulness, a good book will cover the most useful techniques. And if it doesn't, then it's not a good book on the subject.
@Valps Learning by using the program and whatever things I can't figure out myself I can find by Google or YouTube. Same thing with photography, I learned it by doing and not reading books about it.
It is possible to teach yourself something without reading a book or watching a video. In this case I would think "vizualize spots" is a pretty self explanatory checkbox in what it does. The slider might not as a straightforward but since LR is non-destructive, trial and error (along with undos) usually has no negative effects.
The bulk of what I learned in LR, at least, was trial and error and experimentation.
Trial and error while editing photos (non destructively) is one thing. Running a country through trial and error and experimentation is another. But at the same time, if you listen to (at least some of) the "Experts" you can make life a bit easier on everyone, instead of the trial and error approach. But that's a separate discussion for another time.
Your trial and error with editing photos is likely to have a limited impact on people.
Being cooped up inside doesn't mean you have to take a break from photography. If you've got negatives from way back when, what's the best software around to scan them? Check out our in-depth comparison to find out.
The Sony Alpha 1 is Sony's flagship mirrorless camera for, well, just about anything. With a 50MP sensor, it gives you tons of resolution, but it also lets you fire off burst images at 30 fps for fast action sports. Add in 8K video capture and you have a really impressive package.
The Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is a compact general-purpose lens for Sony's APS-C, E-mount mirrorless cameras. So how does it perform? Read our review to find out.
Sony's FE 35mm F1.4 GM is an impressively sharp and long-awaited pro-level 35mm optic for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras. It's well-built and is pretty compact, but it's still not quite perfect. Find out all the details in our field review.
The Sony a7S III is a 12MP full-frame camera primarily designed with video in mind. We take a look beyond the specs to see what it offers to filmmakers.
Although a lot of people only upload images to Instagram from their smartphones, the app is much more than just a mobile photography platform. In this guide we've chosen a selection of cameras that make it easy to shoot compelling lifestyle images, ideal for sharing on social media.
If you're looking for a high-quality camera, you don't need to spend a ton of cash, nor do you need to buy the latest and greatest new product on the market. In our latest buying guide we've selected some cameras that might be a bit older but still offer a lot of bang for the buck.
Whether you make a living out of taking professional portraits, or are the weekend warrior who knows their way around flashes and reflectors, you'll want a camera with high resolution, exceptional autofocus and a good selection of portrait prime lenses. Click through to see our picks.
What's the best camera for shooting landscapes? High resolution, weather-sealed bodies and wide dynamic range are all important. In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for shooting landscapes, and recommended the best.
What’s the best camera costing over $2500? The best high-end camera costing more than $2000 should have plenty of resolution, exceptional build quality, good 4K video capture and top-notch autofocus for advanced and professional users. In this buying guide we’ve rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing over $2500 and recommended the best.
Following the success of the Pentax KP J Limited in 2019, the Japanese camera maker is back with a new J Limited product, this time in the form of the K-1 Mark II J Limited 01. The handcrafted camera is available in four colors and is currently available only in Japan.
FiLMiC, makers of apps including FiLMiC Pro, Double Take and Firstlight, has patented a new image rendering technology, Cubiform. The new tech uses color look-up tables to perform significantly faster editing and rendering.
Yasuhiro Osone, General Manager of the Product Planning Department at Sigma, revealed the news in a mirrorless lens development live stream shared earlier today.
Color slide film can produce images that are brighter and more vibrant than standard color print film, but with far less exposure latitude, there's little room for error. Here's everything you need to know about color slide film.
As we put the final wraps on our Nikon Z7 II review, we couldn't help but take it out for some neighborhood photos during some relatively rare Seattle snow – check out how it performs at ISO values high and low in our gallery update.
A few days after Sony Nordic revealed the details of the 2.00 firmware update for the Sony a7S III, the firmware update is now live and ready to download.
Billed by Sigma as 'a more compact but still high-performing alternative to the existing 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art' its new 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN is indeed considerably smaller and lighter than it's 'Art' series contemporary. Click through for a closer look at Sigma's newest zoom lens.
The sensors in the Phase One XF IQ4 camera system is currently the largest medium-format digital camera sensor on the market, and we've just put the 150MP model in front of our studio test scene. Want detail? You've got it. Check out how our new reference camera fares.
Pentax has released updated versions of three of its prime lenses, adding improved coatings and a more rounded aperture diaphragm for smoother bokeh. The updated 31mm F1.8, 43mm F1.9 and 77mm F1.8 'Limited' lenses will be available in April.
NASA's Juno spacecraft has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016. A recent image captured by the spacecraft and processed by a citizen scientist gives us a beautiful look at the gas giant.
Last year, Isaac Lowe-Anker, younger brother of photographer Max Lowe graduated from college, but like a whole generation of students in 2020, his graduation was virtual. In this video, Max takes his brother on a celebratory road trip across the Olympic Peninsula.
The GN2 builds upon the foundation Samsung's GN1 sensor offers with new and improved features and capabilities thanks to its Dual Pixel Pro and Smart ISO Pro technologies.
The Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN is small, but how does it perform optically? Chris has the answers. Meanwhile, Jordan begins his stint filming episodes with the Pentax K-01. Let the fun begin.
The Sigma 28-70mm DG DN F2.8 is a compact standard zoom for full-frame L- and E-mount bodies. We've been shooting with the lens on the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R so you can get a first look at its image quality.
Sigma has introduced its 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens for L- and E- mount bodies. This small and light lens has numerous special glass elements, plus weather-sealing, and will be available in March for $899.
After landing on Mars on February 18, Perseverance has been busy. In addition to its first images, Perseverance has captured a 360° view of Mars using its pair of onboard 20MP Navcams.
Rode has released a new Wireless Go II kit, which comes with three units: a dual channel receiver and two transmitters. The updated kit features improved connectivity, onboard audio recording storage and more.
The Sony FX3 is a 'compact cinematography' camera built around a 12MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor. It shares a lot in common with the a7S III, so what does it do to earn its place in Sony's 'Cinema Line?'
Sony has formally announced the much-leaked FX3 full-frame video camera. The FX3 marks the entry point to the Cinema Line of video cameras, and wears Alpha branding, setting it between the FX6 and the a7S III.
Following the launch of Sony's new Alpha 1 full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, we sat down (virtually) with Masaaki Oshima, Deputy Senior Manager of Sony's Camera division. Click through to read our in-depth interview.
An email sent by Sony Nordic to newsletter subscribers appears to have let the preverbal cat out of the bag — the a7S III will get Sony’s S-Cinetone color profile in a version 2.00 update.
Huawei's Mate X2 is the Chinese company's latest foldable phone. It incorporates a Leica-branded four camera array, complete with a macro and telephoto camera.
Laowa has expended the mirrorless camera mount options for two of its most popular manual primes: the Laowa 11mm F4.5 FF RL and the Laowa 65mm F2.8 2x Ultra-Macro APO.
Professional wildlife photographer and Olympus Visionary Scott Bourne is one of the best-known names in bird photography. In this interview, he explains his background, and what he thinks of the new M.Zuiko 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens
As we press on with our full review, we've had a chance to shoot more with the Sony a1 and also process some of our Raw images to get an idea of just how much dynamic range it's capable of.
Hasselblad has launched a new video series, 'Hasselblad's Home,' offering a behind-the-scenes look at Hasselblad's headquarters and its products. The first episode focuses on the design philosophy of the X System.
Our intrepid DPRTV team up in Canada has been braving the freezing conditions to bring us a gallery of images from the new Panasonic S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro OIS. Click through to see how they got on.
The Perseverance rover has successfully landed on Mars. The rover is in Jezero Crater, where it will spend its life exploring and analyzing the surface of Mars. The rover quickly sent back its first images.
Comments