Pictures are pixelated - S.O.S.!

[Mimi]

In an attempt to capture some action shots with my G1 today, I put the camera into TV mode, and used either the 500 or 340 speed.

Unfortunately, the photos are extremely pixelated and I don't know if they can be saved. The pictures are of my kids shooting out of a slide into a pool of frothy, swirling water (indoor pool), and I was shooting from a bridge about 10 feet above them. The kids came out FAST, and I actually managed to capture their images, but they're so "dotty" that I don't know if I can use the pictures at this point.

I'm pretty new at this, but have been playing with Adobe Photoshop. I've used the noise filter, but that doesn't help much. Is there something else I can try? Do I need to resize the images or the canvas?

P.S. I am not having much luck with action shots with my G1, and I don't know what else to try. Is there a tried and true setting that anyone can suggest that actually captures an action shot without all the graininess? If it's not sharp and clear, then it's not much use to me.

[dtrayers]

What was the ISO speed of the pictures? I'd bet it was 400 or maybe AUTO. I think what you're seeing is noise. If at all possible, you should set the camera to ISO 50.

[Mimi]

Yes, you're correct! The ISO was 500, 400, and 340 (I was experimenting). I didn't think 50 would be fast enough to prevent blurring.

So, do you mean there is nothing more that can be done to save my pictures at this point? No way to remove all that noise? I suppose another trip to the pool is in order, but it's a looonnng drive!

[dtrayers]

You can try a program called Neat Image (http://www.neatimage.com/).

You can download a free trial. It's not the most intuitive program, but their website has some tutorials.

[walkien]

Mimi wrote:
Yes, you're correct! The ISO was 500, 400, and 340 (I was experimenting). I didn't think 50 would be fast enough to prevent blurring.

So, do you mean there is nothing more that can be done to save my pictures at this point? No way to remove all that noise? I suppose another trip to the pool is in order, but it's a looonnng drive!


I think Dave was talking about ISO, not the shutter speed, I don't think you can set the ISO to 340 on the G1, it's auto,50,100,200,300,400,500.

[MiG82]

If you take photos in bright light then ISO 50 is more than enough to catch action. I was taking photos of waves hitting rocks with my G3 and with the lens stopped down to f5 and ISO 50 I was getting 1/1000 shutter speeds.
I hate the higher ISO sensitivities. I find the ISO 50 noise irritating enough.