Feeling a "Bit" confused...

[Bloosman]

Hi Folks,

Looking for some assistance as I couldn't see any previous posts covering this...

I have recently started adding a matte/border and a © signature to some of the images I post on-line, as shown below.

I know I can possibly do this directly within Lightroom, using the LR/Mogrify plugin, but having looked into this, it appears unduly complicated for my ageing brain...

So, I export to PSE, use a neat Action to add the Matte/border, type in my © and re-import back into my Lightroom catalogue from where I upload to the web.

However, adding the © changes the image from 16 bits to 8 bits.

Is this a big issue...?

What does it lose in this conversion...?

Any printing I do, up to A4, I do direct from Lightroom, minus the above Matte/Border, so I assume they are being printed at 16 bits.

Any larger prints I send off to Whitewall/Photobox (not sure what they do with the image...)

I know PS CS6 retains 16 bits after exporting from Lightroom, but I cannot justify the re-mortgage.

I'm probably answering my own query here really, as I know they are only being uploaded to the web for display purposes, but I just wondered if anyone else has thoughts...???


Framed in oak... by Douglas McMann, on Flickr

[Hereford_EOS]

Re: Feeling a "Bit" confused...

Sorry but I can't help but I do like this image.

[S_J_P]

Re: Feeling a "Bit" confused...

Elements insistence on converting to 8-bit annoys me too, so I tend to do all my fettling in LR in 14-bit (RAW) and then only export to Elements as the final step. It sounds as though you're doing the same.

As for the question about whether it's significant, I'd have to say that it probably isn't. Most monitors only offer (less than) 8-bit depth, and as far as I know most printers operate at a maximum of 8-bit too, so there's probably no benefit in outputting full 14/16 bit files.

[mikep]

Re: Feeling a "Bit" confused...

I think the latest magazine (or the one before) had a very good article on the different BIT depths, and the effects of each when displaying and printing... well worth looking up!

Mike

[Bloosman]

Re: Feeling a "Bit" confused...

Thanks for that guys....

Mike, just found that article on the Jan-Mar electronic edition....looks like I've found my reading for tonight...thanks a bunch...!

Dougie.