How far is enough

[philbach]

This photo has numerous artifacts in it.  Lots of blocky, jpeg like blocks in the original.  I was wondering how far I should go to "smooth" out the artifacts with a denoise filter, or should I just leave it pretty much as it is?  Thanks.

[bjtx]

Phil, now that is really a bad dose of jpeg artifacts.  Recently, I dealt with some artifacts by using the healing brush, since it retains texture better than some filters.

I took the liberty of working with the image to show the results of using the healing brush.



Should you wish more details, I will be happy to explain.  (btw: cloning was used on the face & part of the picture on the wall )

When you mention denoise filter are you referring to PS filters or another sofware?

[philbach]

Thanks bjtx and Tori.  I'll proceed.

[philbach]

Well I have moved along with this photo.  In an attempt to keep texture I used the healing brush tool.  Let me know what you think I should do now.   Thanks.

[lurch]

Beard looks off-center.

[philbach]

It does, Lurch.  Thanks for noticing that.  After you pointed that out it jumps out at me now. 

[lurch]

What I neglected to say is how well you've done with the overall image. There's some damage remaining (circled) and a few clone tracks (same circle). Just saw them - so I'm as guilty as the next guy about selective blindness after staring at the same image for a while  :cool:.



Also just noticed an inconsistency in wall color.

You did a great job with the jpeg artifacts. They were a bear!

[Hannie]

Amen to that, those jpeg artifacts were a horror.
Great job!

Hannie

[bjtx]

 :up:
(the original photo artifact reminds me of email image attachments of the past and/or jpegs saved at the lowest quality setting possible.)

[philbach]

Thanks.  It turns out that they may go back to the original and find out why it was compressed so aggressively.  Perhaps they will post the photo back in the gallery.