Noise

I was asked last minute to shoot some images in church yesterday. I am not happy with the noise level in the image but I wonder if it is a result of pixel peeping. Anyway, I am curious what I could do different in processing this to get a better result. Any input would be most appreciated!

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …hwoods_photo/14​509101993/

Hard to say what to do different without knowing what you did.

What application are you using for image editing and/or noise reduction? I have and use several different apps for noise reduction. Some better than others. Imagenomic's "Noiseware" has been my favorite. I also really like Topaz DeNoise 5. And, of course, the noise reduction in Lightroom/Camera Raw is very good as well.

DXO 9.5, however, is on a whole other level (reducing noise while maintaining excellent natural-looking image integrity). The "smart lighting" in DXO is also very helpful in scenarios like this where the lighting is really awful. I also like that DXO 9.5 now works in concert with Lightroom - you can export to DXO within LR, and then send the processed image back to LR from DXO. I don't think I'll be using it for every image, but it is now my go-to app for processing any raw file that poses noise and/or lighting challenges.

Processing was done in LR. Exposure was pulled down .25, Contrast +24, Highlights -10, shadows +3, Whites -2, blacks -14, clarity +7 Sharpening with high pass in PS, 4.3, overlay.


Sharpening in LR was left at default, masking cranked to 87

NR - Also in LR
Luminance: 25
Detail: 36
Contrast:5

At the 1024px wide screen resolution it is hard to see the issue with the noise - mainly my eyes are drawn (negatively) to the two figures on either side of the frame who are in shadow - they would benefit from an adjustment brush (LR) exposure boost (auto-masking turned on). Also the image in general looks unsharp, but maybe that's just from the low-resolution export.

I would also explore (in LR) taking the highlights all the way down, and the shadows all the way up - and then use contrast to bring back the lost contrast.

Northwoods Bill wrote in post #16989216
Processing was done in LR. Exposure was pulled down .25, Contrast +24, Highlights -10, shadows +3, Whites -2, blacks -14, clarity +7 Sharpening with high pass in PS, 4.3, overlay.


Sharpening in LR was left at default, masking cranked to 87

NR - Also in LR
Luminance: 25
Detail: 36
Contrast:5

Is there any reason why you didn't take the NR higher? I've used over 50 many times in Luminance, then played back and forth with NR and Sharpening to find a good balance. You should be looking for a balance that works with the actual use the photo will be put to, rather than pixel peeping just for the sake if it. I'd think that image could be taken to 50 or 60 in NR, then Sharpening tweaked just enough not to bring back the noise. Maybe even some local NR in the areas most needing it with the adjustment brush.

I will work on exposure on both the folks on the side as well as pushing the NR up and adjusting sharpening. Thanks for the suggestions.

I don't see noise "standing out", but we are not viewing the pic at an enlarged size. You ask whether you are "pixel peeping", well as has been said it depends on how it will be "presented". You likely used a high ISO in shooting this because of the lower light...? If so, some noise is normal. But unless you plan to print this at a size to put up in a gallery, it's probably great without a lot of attention to Noise Reduction. Really, it's up to you!!

The title of this thread should probably be Lesson Learned!!

I spent a good deal of the day worrying about the noise in the print (I am a type A, I will admit it!)

Anyway spent some more time tonight, followed some advice, increased exposure on the altar servers, used a 50% gray set to overlay to reduce the windows a lot and was somewhat pleased.

For the heck of it I decided to print an 8 x 10 and you know what? The print looks pretty darn good!

Boy did I ever learn something today!

Here is the edited version:

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …hwoods_photo/14​490971341/

It's feeling better Bill - I like that the walls/people have been brightened more and I'm glad you're happy with the printed result!