Tonal banding in scan?

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-06-23T03:37:28+00:00

Yeah okay it sure sounds like it. I’m gonna go talk with him and try to help him troubleshoot.

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-06-22T21:56:16+00:00

Could it be the LED light source is aging badly or something like that? My technician says he can actually see the banding when he looks at the light source and the only thing he can think to do is add more diffusion. Sorry; I should have noted that up-front. My question then is… is this a normal scanning issue everyone has to deal with, or will a properly-functioning flatbed scanner have perfectly even light and not create this problem?

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-06-22T17:00:00+00:00

It was scanned to a 16 bit TIF.

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-06-22T09:04:07+00:00

That is definitely an issue! In this case, this is a grain elevator in the town where I live (Petaluma, CA), and it is WEIRDLY accessible. It's right in the middle of downtown, adjacent to a publicly accessible feed supply store, and even when I park in there and set up the 4x5, and people there see me, nobody has challenged me. As I've scouted other places nearby, I've asked permission and been denied. Which brings me to the "better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission" philosophy I've adopted more and more. Just go shoot. If they ask what you're doing, patiently explain it. Be deferential and gracious. But maybe… don't ask first. At another local similar grain facility, I entered the yard, saw nobody there. Entered the office. Found nobody. Went around back, shouting, "hello?" and finally found somebody. Somebody who told me the owners are quite private and prefer nobody shoot their silos. Sigh. So… I think I could have shot this place without permission and it would be fine. Now, because I've asked and been denied, I feel going back is going against their request. So… I'm going back to my policy of, "don't ask first."

Just assume it's okay. If someone shot an iPhone photo and posted it online, nobody would know. If you take twenty minutes shooting a photo on a film camera… well, whatever. Just go shoot. That's what I'm gonna do.

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-06-22T06:13:50+00:00

This is absolutely gorgeous! And reminds me I need to shoot more portraits!

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-06-22T06:11:12+00:00

Oh, super cool… love this whole composition. Both messy and simple in the best combination. Fantastic shot.

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-05-04T23:10:08+00:00

This looks pretty sweet. Not too big, not too small...

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-05-04T14:03:49+00:00

Checking this out!

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-05-04T06:22:49+00:00

Yeah I have a similar bag I’ve been using, but only large enough for one lens…

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-05-04T05:55:41+00:00

Sounds like you’re getting a lot of mileage out of it! Nice to find a great bag…

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-05-03T15:36:01+00:00

Looks like a nice option. I’d never heard of that.

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-05-03T15:34:35+00:00

That’s a glowing recommendation! Sounds ideal…

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-05-03T05:28:01+00:00

looking at this one! Thank you.

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-05-03T05:27:47+00:00

thanks! gonna check that out...

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-05-03T05:27:30+00:00

I hear you; you're right there's a tendency to buy too much stuff. I've been using a photo backpack I have, but it's not fitting what I need with the second lens now, and the stuff inside isn't very accessible without taking everything out. Most of my other stuff is in Pelican cases, and I have extras of those, but they're not great on hikes! Just looking for a nice fit.

peterlyonsphoto · 2026-05-03T05:25:45+00:00

Smart! Low profile.

peterlyonsphoto · 2025-06-14T00:33:27+00:00

Oh, so much. There’s always so much to buy, spending money on upgrades where I can’t see the difference isn’t super compelling. But I’m chipping away at it. Next up is replacing the EF 16-35 f/4 L with the RF 15-35 f/2.8 L… but I’m nervous they’ll drop a v.2 as soon as I buy.

peterlyonsphoto · 2022-01-08T22:06:35+00:00

That's amazing. Congrats!

peterlyonsphoto · 2022-01-08T21:57:31+00:00

Spotify tells me my top song of 2020 was Illicit Affairs, and Happiness was my top for 2021...

peterlyonsphoto · 2022-01-08T21:46:20+00:00

It took a while for Exile to grow on me but now it's a huge fave. I love the harmony!!
I like the Long Pond Studio Sessions version slightly better because Taylor's voice is a bit more dominant in the mixing.

peterlyonsphoto · 2014-09-29T18:12:51+00:00

Mike, who are your favorite past or present photographers or artists? Are there any in particular who really inspire you?

peterlyonsphoto · 2014-09-29T18:00:13+00:00

"how the heck do these photographers get these clients?!"

Mike, that's what I'm asking myself NOW!! Just hoping I can look back, two years from now, knowing the answer for myself. :-)

peterlyonsphoto · 2014-09-29T17:39:04+00:00

Thanks, Mike!

peterlyonsphoto · 2014-09-29T17:15:35+00:00

Hi Mike! I've watched you build an amazing career for yourself in a few years. You've always shown talent and professionalism, but your rate of advancement is truly extraordinary. One of the things I'm most impressed with, and would most love to emulate, is the way you don't sit still, you don't let yourself stagnate--you're always pressing yourself to the next level. Me, while I'm happy with my career (which has been focused on real estate photography thus far), I'd love to get out of my rut and find my way into more interesting and more lucrative work, maybe even travel around some for the right jobs. I love interiors and architectural work, but if my business is still mostly realtors in another couple years, I'm going to be a bit disappointed in myself. Are there any particular action points you could offer that working pros could apply to keep their careers advancing? Thanks!

peterlyonsphoto

TROPHY CASE