Let's talk about Noise...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Katie on September 12, 2009 at 10:03pm

I had the same problem when I took photos of fireworks. Most of them were very noisy, even after I reduced some of the noise. I'm not really sure what to do.

Permalink Reply by Theresa Cox on September 12, 2009 at 11:51pm

What's your ISO?
Since everything is relative, what's your shutter speed and aperture, also?

Temecula Wedding Photographer
Professional Photographer's Blog

Permalink Reply by Eric Scott Bloom aka MODARTIST on September 13, 2009 at 3:48am

Like Theresa says, we need to know aperture and shutter speed, and especially ASA settings for the too-grainy JPGs. The lower the film speed, the higher-rez/less grain you get. But for certain lighting conditions, of course, you raise the speed, thus increasing light sensitivity, which equals more noise. It's the constant balancing of film speed, shutter speed and aperture, but it's 90% FILM SPEED in relation to noise or grain (resolution). Use the highest rez settings for mega-pixels. What's yer camera's maximum megapixel setting? Use that to cut down on noise. Use the minimum film speed (most models give you 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, etc.). Use the lowest you can get away with in the lower the lighting situations. You can use the lowest, if you use the widest possible aperture (2.8, 4, 5.6. etc.), and the lowest shutter speed, without concerning yerself with camera shake. This all means shooting MANUALLY. It's drawbacks are that you often can't "suddenly" snap a shot, if your settings are off (set for a previous set of lighting conditions). I am CONSTANTLY balancing the elements above (film speed/shutter/aperture). I use AUTOMATIC when the action is happening too quickly for fooling with settings. You should upload a couple of the noisy pix, so we can see what yer referring to specifically. The reason I write so much is that I know how truly frustrating your problem can be, and I'd like to help if possible. Best Wishes~Eric Scott~~~Alert me if you post those noisers!!!!

Permalink Reply by Sandra Oquendo on September 13, 2009 at 7:03pm

thank you Eric!

ok here's one

:( it is a nice piccie, it's a shame

Permalink Reply by Aniruddha Kibey on September 16, 2009 at 8:24pm

hi Sandra, I checked the data on your picture and found that ISO speed for the image was 1600. the higher the iso more is the noise. try to use a maximum iso of 400, unless you are working with very low light. The shutter speed on the camera was 1/500 sec, so a slower ISO wont hurt, I have taken pictures at 1/4 sec, hand held, and don't have the steadiest hands at the best of times.
I personally made that mistake of keeping my iso number high. I was taking pictures inside a cave and after I came outside I forgot to turn the iso sensitivity down, and got really bad images. So don't worry, keep shooting and enjoy.
BTW great picture.

Permalink Reply by Sandra Oquendo on September 16, 2009 at 9:32pm

yea i figured it was the iso and the speed but it look so nice! NEVER TRUST THE LCD! lol thanx anyway guys :) recently i took some pictures and decided to use the aperture priority mode in natural filtered light cause im reading this book on tsking pics to ppl so i decided to practice and the results where incredible, i most definitely need to keep reading this hehe

Do u guys read any books on photography? if so which ones are the best ones u have read? :)

Permalink Reply by Eric Scott Bloom aka MODARTIST on September 18, 2009 at 11:15pm

The image ROCKS!!!!!!!!! Noise isn't the issue! The issue is who will buy and or lease such a spectacular photograph!!!!!!!

Permalink Reply by Eric Scott Bloom aka MODARTIST on September 18, 2009 at 11:19pm

Tried Photoshop? It's miraculous, if one doesn't mind the "impurity" of that trick. But a grainy image like that (which I don't find troublesome, though I know what you're discussing) can be altered and enhanced in so many (unlimited) ways, to make it more interesting or "pleasing" to the eye. Just sayin'....great shot.

Permalink Reply by Matt Needham on December 22, 2010 at 5:38am

I think that's pretty typical noise for a compact digital camera at ISO 1600.  Most of them start showing quite a bit of noise beyond ISO 400.  You may be able to increase in-camera noise reduction settings?

 

How much effort are you willing to put into processing?  You can download trial versions of Noise Ninja, Neat Image, Noiseware Pro, and other noise reduction software to try out.  In my personal testing it seems to me that the in-camera processing often exacerbates noise.  Shooting and processing raw can offer more options.