Best way to convert RAW into JPEG without much artifact

[csondagar]

Hi

I have slight trouble (most likely due to lack of knowledge and bad eyesight ;) )! The following image was shot in RAW and converted into JPEG (quality 12) using PSCS. I am told that this image contains a lot of artifacts. One, I donot see these artifacts, and two, how can I reduce or remove these artifacts?

PS: the image is linked from my gallery. I believe this link does not translate well. If you would like to view the full size version goto http://chets.fotopic.net/p16790460.html and click on 'full size' at the bottom of the image page.

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=16790460

[tim]

Quality 12 you won't see many, if any artifacts, and on a pic that small they'd be hard to see. Just look for funny patterns in light colored patterns near dark areas in the pic.

[chtgrubbs]

I downloaded the full-size version and then checked it at 200% magnification, and I don't really see any artifacts either. Some of the white flowers in the background are blown out and out of depth of field so I suppose someone might mistake that for artifacts. The blue flowers in the urns in front really pop out, it looks like they might not have been quite sharp originally and you might have over-sharpened them a bit, but againe I wouldn't call that an artifact.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Nope.. no jpeg articfacts that I can see... :)

[AJSJones]

Did someone tell you that this specific image was full of jpg artifacts or that jpg as a format produces lots of artifacts?? The background is out of focus but it's not got much in the way of jpg artifacts. Some folks who hear about "lossy" compression without understanding how it works go away thinking it *always* creates objectionable artifacts, and try to perpetuate the "information"

[csondagar]

Thanks guys for verifying this image for me.

Recently, I came across iStockPhoto.com where I uploaded this very same image. The rejected this image stating that the image had excessive artifacts at 100% magnification. I viewed it myself and did not see 'excessive' artifacts. So, I started to suspect their review process; but then I also was not complete sure what they meant by artifacts.

Since their response on this image, I have reviewed some articles and user feedback and I am not reading many positive feedbacks.

I went for istockphoto.com and shutterpoint to weigh my photos against other photos. On Shutterpoint I am getting some constructive feedback on my photos. Not so on istockphoto.com.