Moiré Pattern

A moiré pattern is an unwanted artifact that appears in digital images when capturing fine, repetitive details, such as fabrics, screens, or grids. It manifests as wavy, rainbow-colored lines or patterns and is caused by interference between the camera's sensor grid and the pattern being photographed. Moiré is particularly common in high-resolution sensors without an optical low-pass filter (OLPF) designed to blur fine detail slightly and prevent such artifacts. Photographers can reduce moiré patterns by adjusting the camera angle, changing the focal length, or using post-processing software to minimize its appearance. Understanding how to manage moiré is essential for maintaining image quality, especially in fashion and architectural photography.

Photography Glossary