Banding in gradient layers since recent updates?

[dahlbergmelin]

I've noticed much more severe banding when using gradient layers than earlier. I used to be able to create gradients and use gamma to change the appearance of it, but am now not able to do so with out extreme banding. I've been using this for years to create artwork and masks, the problem is only visible since this summer (2023).

• I'm absolutely sure it has been much less banding before
• It is not a display problem since using Blur, Gaussian Blur, Radial Blur, etc. can be used to get a smooth gradient (but changing the gradient of course)

I've been using this to test it:

• New document in 16-bit and ProPhoto RGB
• 4000 x 4000 px
• Create Gradient layer with black to white to black (0, 50, 0)
• Gradient layer uses style "Angular" and method "Classic" (Classic is the same as used in earlier Photoshop, before 24.0), dithering is off but it doesn't make any real difference in this test
• Create Levels layer with gamma 0.01 (0, 0.01, 255)

Things I've tried without any solution:

• Different computers (Mac Studio 2022 "Mac13,2" and MacBook Pro Mid 2014 "MacBookPro11,3")
• Different Mac OS versions (Big Sur and Ventura)
• Different Photoshop versions (24.7 and 22.2)
• Different bit depth (8, 16, 32 – with 8 of course showing even more banding)
• Different color profile (ProPhoto RGB, Adobe RGB and sRGB)
• Different color mode (RGB and Greyscale)
• With and without GPU acceleration in Photoshop
• Restarting Photoshop
• Restarting Computer
• I've also noted that using gamma function of Levels layer works differently
  • For example: creating a gradient and then using gamma 0.5 and then another layer using gamma 2 should create no noticable difference than having no gamma change at all – these used to be the same
  • And another example: creating a gradient and then using gamma 0.5 differs from using invert and then gamma 2 – these used to be the same as well

And other's seem to have noticed similar things too:

• https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/blur-and-gradient-banding-since-23-1-...
• https://www.reddit.com/r/photoshop/comments/sa6bt2/gradient_banding_intensified_recently_has_this/

[Lorraine34560820x4dk]

I am also having banding issues and would be curious to know if there has been a fix. I have done the same things you have but have been unable to resolve the banding. It is not severe, but I want a smooth gradient with zero banding.