I'm trying this whole no-flash thing.. got my f/1.8 which is nice... but I have a Nikon. Oh, I love my Nikon, but we all know the bane of Nikon, that being ISO & Noise. I shot on tuesday at ISO 800 and there was noise. It kind of worked in some photos, but not in others. Here is an example of one I kind of like (yes, I know it's not very crisp):
But Generally I don't like noise, so I'm not sure what to do. I mean if the venues have fantastic lighting I might get lucky with a slow-ish shutter speed since I have the f/1.8. I had it, as I mentioned in a different forum, on aperture priority, and sometimes it was giving a shutter speed of 1/800 or something, so I MIGHT get a few at 400 ISO if I go fully manual and set it around 1/160, but I don't know. I guess my question is, aside from a new camera, is there anything I can do to reduce noise? I can't afford a new camera and I LOVE Nikon and don't want to have to switch to Canon, but ISO 400 doesn't cut it unless you can use flash, and that doesn't happen often in this business!
Thanks so much! I'm going to give that a try. I'd much rather spend 100 bucks than 1500 on the new camera I'd like to get when I'm rich lol.
when you use noise reduction software it often come with a price.... it usually will soften your images and no amount of sharpening can help.
Daniel Knighton
Pixel Perfect Images
(760)730-3224/(858)335-4540 cell
Carlsbad, CA
www.PixelPerfectImages.net
www.MySpace.com/PixelPerfectImages
If you tweak the sliders just right (with Neat Image) you can eliminate most (if not all) without softening. Pixel Perfect, have you used Neat Image?
but I have used Noise Ninja and CS3. Both soften the image. Maybe I'll give it a try.
Daniel Knighton
Pixel Perfect Images
(760)730-3224/(858)335-4540 cell
Carlsbad, CA
www.PixelPerfectImages.net
www.MySpace.com/PixelPerfectImages
All noise reduction softens the image. Mathematically there is no other way to do it. Some noise reduction software includes some sharpening to counteract the softening introduced by the noise reduction. You can tune the balance of level of noise reduction and sharpening to result in the cleanest, sharpest image possible, but there will be softening to some degree. That is a fact that cannot be disputed.
Walter Rowe - Rowe Images
Professional Photographer
Columbia, Maryland - USA
...was my thought too, but I was hoping the previous posts knew something I didn't! Dangit..... got my hopes up and all.
Daniel Knighton
Pixel Perfect Images
(760)730-3224/(858)335-4540 cell
Carlsbad, CA
www.PixelPerfectImages.net
www.MySpace.com/PixelPerfectImages
And can quite happily get rid of noise without softening the image too much. First thing I would say is have you got the profiles for your camera? Head over to http://www.picturecode.com/profiles.htm to find the profile for your camera.
The other thing I usually do is use a layer mask before using it. If you use a mask for sharpening then you're half way there as the mask for noise removal is just the inverse of the sharpening mask.
Give me a shout if you want more info.
Oh and hi btw, this was my first post :-)
--
Mike Gatiss
"don't lose the moment..."
http://www.gig-shots.com
Everyone hates noise. Not that long ago it was about beautiful grain. Take a look at a Sebastiao Salgado photographs and try and hear people grumbling about the grain.
I think people push the digital camera too much. I personally shoot digital like I used to shoot film.
Be respectful of f stops and understand the limitations of lighting. I used to push B&W TRi X a couple of stops. The memories of TRI X.
If you are a live photographer and really love B&W there is nothing to stop you taking along a film camera loaded with a roll of 400 Asa TRI X.
Photography shouldn't be a disposable art, it should be considered. The camera is just a tool to create an image.
That being said I realize people only want to shoot digital. Here is my top tip for getting rid of noise. I apply this to images sometimes in the shadow areas but never really because I have pushed my ISO.
Noise ninja is a great photo shop pluggin or stand alone. The best way to use it is to create a second photo-shop layer then reduce the noise in problem areas only. Then erase the noise reduction from the detailed areas such as the face and body of the performer.
I have taken the original shot posted on the forum by 'A DigitalKiller" (I hope you don't mind me doing this) and I have left the musician untouched and just taken the noise for the background. This way the whole image doesn't look soft.
Noise will always be a problem in underexposed areas so this technique can be carefully applied to problem shots.
On a final note. I know a few newspaper photographers who never worry about noise because once in newsprint you can't see it.
Remember high ISO was created for the Press market.
I hope this advice was useful
If you want to rack the brain of any of the Six leading Music photographers in the UK then post a message on the forum and we'll be glad to help
You can purchase software online which reduces noise. I use "Neat Image" which you can download as a plug-in for Photoshop (Mac or PC) and it comes up under the "filter" menu once you've installed. I did the free trial version which applies the filter to one corner of your image to see the effects. I was sold right away for how well it worked and it's ease of use. Some people also swear by "Noise Ninja" which I've never researched. Google booth and see what you think. I consider Neat Image a must have.
I bought it some time ago and don't remember the cost but think it was in the ball park of $100.00
Good Luck.