Help with outputting to jpg

[awm03]

I'm having trouble with output quality. After making adjustments on a raw file version, I output to jpeg, and the resulting file is awfully noisy. Above is a screenshot of a jpeg output file on the left, and the raw file version on the right. Anybody have suggestions? Perhaps reduce sharpening on output? Did I not reduce noise enough in the original?

[gareth]

The starting point is that the raw has been processed by something to enable you to capture the image? No such thing as a raw 'image'.
Think about what, and what parameters it used.

[awm03]

Forgive me, but I find your response confusing. I open a raw file in ASP2, I fiddle with the settings & tools to get an image I like, I create a New Version From Current, then I drag the new version to Output -- jpeg. But the quality of the jpeg isn't as good as the New Version From Current adjusted raw file. Semantics aside, does anybody have ideas how I can improve the jpeg quality?

[afx]

Sorry, but your posted comparison image is way to small to see the difference, and it would help a lot to know the applied settings as well as the quality settings and sharpening settings of the JPG queue you are using.
Please post a 100% view and the relevant parameters.

cheers
afx

[awm03]

Can you not click on the picture to enlarge it? I can. Sorry for the small size, but that's what I got when I resized it to meet the upload requirements. Maybe this will work better:


Actually, this is a screen shot with the jpg output on the left and a version of the raw file on the right. I used the defaults in the jpeg full size output settings: 100% quality, 135/0.8/0 output sharpening. The raw version was cropped, converted to black & white, & had some blacks & midtone adjustments.

[afx]

Why output sharpening when not resizing?

cheers
afx

[awm03]

I always resize on initial output so the longest side is 3000 pixels -- the sites I like to post to have a maximum 3k pixel length. Is there a rule of thumb about when to output sharpen & when not to? I really know nothing about it. I probably need to buy your book, afx

[afx]

To check whether there is an issue with output sharpening, generate 87% JPGs at full size and compare at 100% view.
If that is ok, then the basic output is fine.

Next generate the downsized files without any additional sharpening and check them, only if they become soft, apply sharpening in the queue.

cheers
afx

[Hobgoblin]

I probably need to buy your book

Well worth the price and much more usefull than the Manual.

Regards,
R.

[gareth]

apologies awm03 - I now see what you meant by 'raw image' - ie the processed image.