Grain and some photoshop tips.

[mikecweb]

Since I couldn't go to the airport today I spent alot of times looking at my uploads and pics still on my computer and started comparing them to the ones of others on JP.net. The biggest difference I see is grain. My pictures always have so much dang grain in them. I'm shooting with a HP PS850 4.1mp. I'm wondering if its in my post processing. Is there anyway to reduce this? Here is a pic I shot last weekend that I really like. But look at all the grain in the background. It really takes away from the shot.
[photoid=122469]
thanks alot
Mike

[Leftseat86]

Mike, I have no idea how a camera with more MP than mine can produce such grainy images. :skeptic: Even in sunlight. :S
I have some questions:

1. What resolution do the photos come out of the camera?
2. Can you choose ISO? If yes, what ISO do you shoot at?
3. What settings do you use when shooting on a sunny day like for the Delta 76?

Post processing can only remove grain in some situations, but the amount you have is really alot, looks almost like a scanned slide or print.

-Clovis

[mikecweb]

I'll expand a little more on my techniques. After about a month with the camera I threw out anything auto. It was always choosing too low of a shutter speed. So I go strictly manual now. ISO100 and shutter priority to 1/250 or 1/500 depending on light. For that shot I believe it was 1/500.
Clovis your my bone of contention. Based on the fact that you don't have the best cam out there you put out awesome shots. But no matter how hard I try I can never get that crisp shot that I'm looking for.
Edit: resolution is 2272x1712.

[andyhunt]

Mike,

Don't know quite what is causing that, but seems strange.

Anyway, here's a little tip which I think you are going to like if you dislike grain!

Try this this tool called NeatImage, available from

http://www.neatimage.com

Works wonder in reducing grain. But be careful doesn't work all of the time, sometimes can make grass look like a smooth carpet!

Good luck........and oh yes, here is your grainy image after some work from me...........enjoy!

Andrew

<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/Deltagrainy_filtered.jpg>

[mikecweb]

Andy you stud.
thanks a bunch.

[andyhunt]

No probs, all part of the service :) We help where we can.

Andrew

[BWI Scott]

WOW!
I just d/l that program and it works great!! :clap:
Thanks for the tip.

Where were you when I posted a topic about grain a few weeks ago :skeptic:

Scott

[mikecweb]

OMG Andy that is amazing. I redoin all my photos...here comes an all nighter.

[andyhunt]

Yeah, it is a nice little program isn't it?

Amazing all these goodies that can be found on the internet. :nod:

Andrew

[AIRLNRGUY]

That program is amazing, so many unacceptable photos before are now grain free!

[andyhunt]

Why do I get the feeling that us screeners are about to be swamped with a fair number of reuploads :shock:

Hmmmmm :D

Andrew

[SWA733Captain]

Well Andy, your about to be getting a ton from me. That thing is simply AMAZING! Excellent find!

[Leftseat86]

Mike, if I were you, I would edit after resize. Of course, you should level and crop before resize, then get it down to 1024. I used to sharpen before re-size, but I found it's easier to control the sharpening if I do it at 100% in 1024.
I don't have any grain/noise removal programs, but I do do alot of mask/blur and use the blur tool to take out isolated noise/grain.

I may have to try that program though, looks pretty good :)

Whats funny Mike, is that your camera puts out at a higher resolution than mine :lol:

-Clovis

[Greg]

When I'm shooting full auto in bright sunlight my photos only get grainy when I crop in on them. They come out beautifully but there are the screeners who tll you to crop closer and I can't really. :skeptic:

[Ansett]

hmm get digistal!

[gbasco]

I've been seeing some pics which they seem to have gone through Neat Image. As Andy pointed out, it does not work all the time. Sometimes it reduces so much grain that the aircraft looks too soft. Try playing with the levels, a bit of grain helps out a bit sometimes showing shades, curves, etc..

Cheers

Gabe

[Braniffnut]

One of my favourite techniques is to mask, magic wand and smart blur any problem areas. Granted this technique like Neat Image has it's limitations, but it really shines with older slides.

Thomas