Tutorials Index

Beagle Smudge
Color Management
Color Spots
Crop Tool
FFT Action
Gradient Artifacts
Gradient Mask
Layer Mask Basics
Out of Bounds
Smooth Skin Action
Sky Replacement
Window Arrange

GRADIENT ARTIFACTS IN SHADOWS

Problem:
To slightly blend a shadow and lower its opacity the further away it gets from the object, you can use the Gradient Tool (G). The problem created by this sometimes, is known as posterization and some very distracting banding between the different gray levels becomes visible.

[1] Fortunately, the solution is very easy. Go to Filter/Noise/Add Noise... and dial in a suitable Amount. I would start off with something around 1-3 and increase if necessary. Distribution can be set to Uniform or Gaussian, whereas I usually choose Gaussian and Monochromatic.

The result should be barely visible noise but a beautiful gradient without abrupt colour changes.

The samples above were saved as GIF with only 128 colours on purpose, to show the effect. JPG would certainly look much better and smoother but the result of adding noise is the same.

To prevent banding in the first place, only add the gradient when you are working in your final colour space. Do not convert from RGB to CMYK or any other colour space with an artifical gradient. Furthermore, if possible, work in 16 bit mode.

Thank you Jasper for this small but useful tip
Updated: November 8, 2005 (tested with PS CS2)