Education on using noise software and high ISO

jimqjr

I am sure that there are plenty of Pros in this group that could give us greenhorns an education on PP. I just thought this was interesting.

So I dropped the money for the lightroom3 upgrade and thought I would mess with a couple of pictures. I do not know alot about PP and how it effects the noise on a photo, I am impressed with Lightroom3 from a novice's standpoint. These photos were shot at ISO 6400 in jpg no in camera noise (it was turned off).
#1
This image I just edited in Lightroom3

#2
Same Image NoiseNinja. Automatic mode based on camera noise profile.


#3
As shot

MileHighAko

I've really been enjoying the noise reduction features of LR3. Seems like it takes a bit of practice to get just the right balance of color noise reduction and luminance adjustment. I've been really pleased with the results on the screen, but I haven't been able to get the right noise balance yet on close skin tones on print. My prints look a little plastic at the moment - still learning.

Your adjustments above look really nice.

jimqjr

MileHighAko wrote: »

I've really been enjoying the noise reduction features of LR3. Seems like it takes a bit of practice to get just the right balance of color noise reduction and luminance adjustment. I've been really pleased with the results on the screen, but I haven't been able to get the right noise balance yet on close skin tones on print. My prints look a little plastic at the moment - still learning.


Your adjustments above look really nice.

Thanks.
I am hoping lightroom will speed up my processing time. Seems I spends a lot of time waiting for noiseninja to get through its process before I can focus on the picture. Its had to say at this point what process I will take. In the past I ran noiseninja first and then edited the photos now with lightroom3 it will come last. It will also open up the possibility to shot in raw which may also make the photos better. Only time will tell or someone will influnce the process which will always make a quicker difference. What the secret? That's my million dollar question.

tjk60

jimqjr wrote: »

Thanks.
I am hoping lightroom will speed up my processing time. Seems I spends a lot of time waiting for noiseninja to get through its process before I can focus on the picture. Its had to say at this point what process I will take. In the past I ran noiseninja first and then edited the photos now with lightroom3 it will come last. It will also open up the possibility to shot in raw which may also make the photos better. Only time will tell or someone will influnce the process which will always make a quicker difference. What the secret? That's my million dollar question.

Noise Ninja does say to run noise reduction first. I have LR3 and I still use NN with CS3 as a batch job.

austinado16

I continue to struggle with this aspect of PP. I purchased Noiseware Professional and go back and forth between using it and using the noise reduction feature of the Canon DPP program that came with my 50D. I'm always shoot at very high ISO (gymnastics) settings in RAW, and processing the photos is really a PIA. Looking forward to hearing what others with experience are doing.