best way to reduce noise

xelanil

I've seen multiple ways to remove photo noise like using the Lab color thing in photoshop then blurring a and b, and another where you make two layers then blur one of them. Any other suggestions on how to remove noise?

MarkR

xelanil wrote:

I've seen multiple ways to remove photo noise like using the Lab color thing in photoshop then blurring a and b, and another where you make two layers then blur one of them. Any other suggestions on how to remove noise?

How heavy is the noise? Once you start getting into really strong noise your best bet is probably a dedicated noise filter such as Noiseware, NoiseNinja, Denoise, NeatImage, etc.

If you're using Photoshop, Adobe Camera Raw's (version 5) noise reduction is actually pretty decent, although not as good as the dedicated tools listed above.

pathfinder

Shoot at the lowest ISO with the best possible camera with low noise/high ISO performance, perhaps?

Avoid under exposure like that plague.

The noise will live in the lower quarter tones - those are the ones that will need the most work. Use a dedicated denoiser, on an adjustment layer.

Or revel in the noise, live with it, love it, and move on!

xelanil

thanks for the list of noise filters, I'll try them. I do use low ISO as much as I can, but there's always those times when I have to use a high ISO.

divamum

xelanil wrote:

thanks for the list of noise filters, I'll try them. I do use low ISO as much as I can, but there's always those times when I have to use a high ISO.

The Noiseware community edition is FREE and absolutely wonderful.