Why are these grainy?

Motorcycle Man · 03-05-2008, 02:01 AM

Shot @ ISO 100, Aperture all the way open, 60 second exposure time.

I thought I would get very smooth images, but they don't have the look I was hoping for.

SeattleVet · 03-05-2008, 08:30 AM

What were your image settings (size, quality)? Were you shooting in SHQ or RAW format? Those will generate the least amount of digital noise and compression artifacts. What post-processing was done on these? Remember that jpeg is a 'lossy' format, and for the highest image quality you need to generate the largest file sizes.

Remember, too, the noise in inherent in shadow areas in digital photography. There's a really good article at Working at the Extremes: Low Light Digital Photography that explains wayt to control or minimize the noise in low-light images.

Shooter · 03-05-2008, 01:43 PM

60 second exposure time.

eric · 03-05-2008, 01:43 PM

It's the camera to be blunt. Noise is a particular problem at long exposures as a minor difference in pixel outputs becomes noticable. Beyond that, there are great NR programs for night skies.

Motorcycle Man · 03-05-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric

It's the camera to be blunt. Noise is a particular problem at long exposures as a minor difference in pixel outputs becomes noticable. Beyond that, there are great NR programs for night skies.

Ah, that is what I was thinking.

And to the others, I shot these in RAW, with zero post-processing.

jezterr · 03-05-2008, 02:55 PM

with such little light to gather info from, the camera tends to fill in what's missing with noise.

motorzen · 03-05-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jezterr

with such little light to gather info from, the camera tends to fill in what's missing with noise.

+1

03-05-2008, 02:01 AM	#1
Motorcycle Man Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: ............... Posts: 108 My Camera: Olympus Evolt E500	Why are these grainy? Shot @ ISO 100, Aperture all the way open, 60 second exposure time. I thought I would get very smooth images, but they don't have the look I was hoping for.

03-05-2008, 08:30 AM	#2
SeattleVet Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 98 My Camera: Konica/Minolta Maxxum 7D	What were your image settings (size, quality)? Were you shooting in SHQ or RAW format? Those will generate the least amount of digital noise and compression artifacts. What post-processing was done on these? Remember that jpeg is a 'lossy' format, and for the highest image quality you need to generate the largest file sizes. Remember, too, the noise in inherent in shadow areas in digital photography. There's a really good article at Working at the Extremes: Low Light Digital Photography that explains wayt to control or minimize the noise in low-light images. __________________ -- WARNING: Do not look into laser beam with remaining eye! You can see some of my images at http://seattlevet.smugmug.com Last edited by SeattleVet; 03-05-2008 at 08:39 AM. Reason: Added link for article

03-05-2008, 01:43 PM	#3
Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tacoma WA. Posts: 501 My Camera: Nikon D3, D200	60 second exposure time. __________________ Later- Kirk peotimages.com

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03-05-2008, 01:43 PM	#4
eric Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 596	It's the camera to be blunt. Noise is a particular problem at long exposures as a minor difference in pixel outputs becomes noticable. Beyond that, there are great NR programs for night skies.

03-05-2008, 02:55 PM	#6
jezterr Moderator Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: a cesspit. Posts: 854 My Camera: disposable	with such little light to gather info from, the camera tends to fill in what's missing with noise.