Artifacts USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Photography Terms [1]

Artifacts In photography, artifacts refer to unwanted distortions, imperfections, or anomalies that occur in digital images as a result of compression, processing, or other factors. Artifacts can manifest in various forms, including pixelation, banding, noise, moiré patterns, or color shifts, and may degrade image quality, clarity, and detail. Common sources of artifacts include aggressive image compression algorithms, improper exposure settings, low-quality lenses, or limitations inherent in digital sensor technology.
While some artifacts may be minor and barely perceptible, others can significantly detract from the visual appeal and authenticity of the photograph. Minimizing artifacts often requires careful attention to technical settings, proper exposure and focus techniques, and judicious use of post-processing tools to preserve image quality and integrity throughout the photographic workflow.