what can i do to make it better.

Hi this is a portrait i took of my sister and her boyfriend. For the most part i like it, but i think it looks to grainy. any way to fix it, or advice for what to do in the future.

It would help to post some EXIF information

It might be better to post your question in the Small Compact Digitals forum, since folks that own the smaller Canon digitals hang out there. They would be more familiar with your model camera. This forum is supposedly for those with the G series, and may not know much about your SX series.

Dennis

What post processing software do you have?

ohh ok sorry.

Usually grainy photos are associated with high ISO settings and it looks to me WB may be off in the color shot. I like the B&W

Was this on Auto ISO? If so I would try using an ISO in the range of 100 - 400 that will help with your noise issue

Failing that you can run the image through Noise ninja or similar product.

thanks

There's no reason to shoot people standing still @ 1/1250

What mode were you in on the camera? You either:
Raised the ISO and the Shutter speed too high
or
Raised the ISO and lowered the Aperture

If your goal was separating the people from the background, you need to move them farther away from the brick wall, leave the Aperture fairly wide open and lower the ISO. Don't use too wide of an Aperture; or parts of your subjects will be out of focus (Nose, eyes, ears, etc..)

Static people don't need to be shot higher than 1/250th... unless there's a squirmy infant complicating the shot.

Good luck in the future..

red8771, I don't know if your camera will allow you to pick shutter speed and lens aperature. The G series would...
You did a good job--your subjects are happy and relaxed! The composition is pleasant, and you've recorded the day well!
Keep shooting!
DaveL

Hi
You have been pointed in the correct direction above already by Dennis. This section is for the 'G' series Powershots so most of us in here are unfamilier with your model camera and cannot give you useful advice as we dont know what it can/cant do.
Saying that though theres nothing wrong with the SX series of cameras so a good picture is well within your grasp with the equipment you have. As has been already said your ISO is fairly high and this can cause a 'grainy' effect in a photo.
As someone who doesn't shoot portraits the only thing that stands out to me is a very busy background. A plain backdrop would bring the subjects, sorry your sister and her partner, into life. For me, at the moment, my eye is drawn to an interesting wall behind them which is a photograph in itself. My only other point is the contrasting items of clothing they have on. This may not be helping the camera when its metering for light, to balance the exposure.
These are only minor critisisms though, as I said I normally photograph birds and animals in which an uncluttered backdrop is preferred.
All in all, you have taken a nice picture so keep at it as your definately going in the right direction. The conversion to black and white is a nice touch too, and is my personal favourite of them both. Keep at it and read these forums, people are extremely helpful, albeit sometimes in a slightly confusing manner for beginners
Best of luck,
Ian