LR Classic v10.0 & PS 2021 v22.0 Color Banding

[js3908732]

Hello community,

I use LR & PS for processing my photos for years. Now, after recent update (Windows 10 version 20H2, OS Build 19042.572, LR Classic v10.0, PS 2021 v22.0) I get very weird color banding.

I only see this issue in LR and PS, when browsing the photos in a different image viewer (MS Photos, IrfanView, ..) or web browser it is ok. Even when I export any photo with banding and view that it's ok. I updated my graphic driver to the latest available version (nVidia 456.71) but the issue stays the same. I did not make any changes in my SW/HW config, yet this problem appeared. It's very difficult to process any photo now, it's more like a guessing game. 

I have never had this problem before but now after trying almost everything I turn to you for help, as I'm clueless. I'm very frustrated and hoping you can help me with this problem.

Attached are screenshots from image/photo viewer (MS Photos) where everything is fine, then from LR and PS.

Thank you!

Jan

[dj_paige]

Most of us will not download attachments. Please click on the "Insert PHotos" icon and then include the screen captures in your reply.

[js3908732]

1: MS Photos / 2: Lightroom / 3: Photoshop

[GoldingD]

Is this occuring in LrC in both Develop and Library modules? Or just one?

[GoldingD]

Does this occur at 1:1 view?

[GoldingD]

Does the problem behave the same with and without /use Graphics Processor/?

[GoldingD]

What camera?

And if you have a different camera, (different model) does the problem occur for both?

[D Fosse · Accepted solution]

"Attached are screenshots from image/photo viewer (MS Photos) where everything is fine, then from LR and PS"

You probably got a bad monitor profile through Windows Update. Windows "Photos" is not color managed and does not use the monitor profile at all. So it will be entirely unaffected by a corrupt/defective profile.

Unless you're using a calibrator, monitor/laptop manufacturers distribute their own generic profiles through Windows Update. These are very often defective in various ways.

Replace your current profile with sRGB IEC61966-2.1 until you can make a new one with a calibrator. Relaunch PS/Lr when done, they load the monitor profile at application startup:

Generally, as long as you're working with 16 bit data, banding is always in your display system: monitor profile, calibration tables, video driver, or the panel itself. The display system always works at 8 bit depth, unless you have an (expensive) 10 bit capable monitor. 8 bit depth is where banding happens.

[js3908732]

Thank you all for your replies. Here are the answers:

Q: Is this occuring in LrC in both Develop and Library modules? Or just one?
A: Yes, in both Library and Develop modules in LR, also in PS. When I open a photo full screen in Library mode it looks fine until LR "loads" it and then the colors are bad, banding.

Q: Does this occur at 1:1 view?
A: Yes, also in 1:1 view.

Q: Does the problem behave the same with and without /use Graphics Processor/?
A: Yes, tried both with "Use of GPU" and also without. The problem persists.

Q: What camera? / And if you have a different camera, (different model) does the problem occur for both?
A: The problem appears on older photos too. Photos taken with Canon 80D, 90D, 5D Mark IV, R6, R5, 1DX III.

Q: Monitor color profile
A: Yes!!! This was the problem! Windows 10 Update probably messed up my monitor profile. Now everything is back to normal. HUGE THANKS!!! Ooooph, I was considering whole machine reinstallation 🙂