Speckled Photo's - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/31/2004 01:28:49 PM · #1

Hello there, well, I was outside yesterday, and had my camera when I seen the northern lights, they looked amazing, so I took afew shots, and well, I got home, and loaded them on the comp, and they look like CRAP! all speckled and everything, does anyone know how I could take better night shots? thanks

gaurawa

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/31/2004 01:31:39 PM · #2

What ISO speed were you using ?

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/31/2004 01:35:09 PM · #3

I think it was at 100.. I would check, but my batteries are charging right now :( lol

K-Rob

Canon EOS-20D

08/31/2004 01:36:42 PM · #4

That is referred to as digital noise and is most visible in dark areas of the photo or areas of uniform color. All digital cameras are prone to this noise because of the design of the sensors but point&shoot cameras are particularly prone due to the small size of the sensros. Using the lowest ISO possible on the camera and running the picture through NeatImage (or other noise reduction sftwr) will usually take care of this pretty efficiently.

Trinch

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

08/31/2004 01:37:36 PM · #5

As said better above...

Message edited by author 2004-08-31 13:39:38.

Tranquil

08/31/2004 01:38:36 PM · #6

This might have been a result of either digital zoom, or low battery power, to the point at which your camera performs worse.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/31/2004 01:39:33 PM · #7

Ok, well, I had my cam on Manual mode, 1/60 6.8 ?? I really cant remember... lol, so I will just have to set the ISO to the lowest, and it should clear it up nicely ? because, I see lots of pictures people take of their cars and stuff, infront of those type of lights (the ones on the buildings) and they are NICE and clear.. I will try to find one and show you guys

strangeghost

Canon EOS-7D

08/31/2004 01:42:54 PM · #8

You're going to get a certain amount of noise with slower shutter speeds using any digital camera, but probably more so in a point-n-shoot like you (and I) are using. You can do some things to minimize if, but you'll never be rid of it:

1. Lowest ISO possible
2. Noise removal programs like NEAT or Kodak GEM plugin
3. Darkframe subtraction

I've not used darkframe subtraction myself, but I know a lot of amateur astronomers who do and get very good results.

-J

Message edited by author 2004-08-31 13:43:54.

08/31/2004 01:47:25 PM · #9

Damn... I thought my cam would be able to take decent shots... spent 500$ on it ahah... thats what I get for living in Canada... I cant find that pic I was lookin for, but still, you guys get the point

longlivenyhc

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/31/2004 01:49:50 PM · #10

also try to use the biggest aperature setting possible so your shutter doesnt have to stay open as long

K-Rob

Canon EOS-20D

08/31/2004 01:50:32 PM · #11

I hope you don't mind (I guess I should have asked first) but here is what the picture looks like when run through NeatImage.

Your camera should is plenty capable of producing great images. It's just a matter of knowing how to use it to it's capabilities and using all your resources.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/31/2004 01:53:54 PM · #12

nah, I dont mind...use my images for anything you want, they suck anyways haha... can I do that stuff in Photoshop? because I only have photoshop..
yeah, I'm not very good at taking pictures yet, Its hard to learn (for me anyways) haha

biggest aperature? it will turn out CRAZY dark wont it? at like 1/3000..

K-Rob

Canon EOS-20D

08/31/2004 01:55:58 PM · #13

Originally posted by longlivenyhc:

also try to use the biggest aperature setting possible so your shutter doesnt have to stay open as long

That's a good suggestion for getting faster shutter speeds, but you most likely won't be getting the highest quality image that the camera is capable of. Typically, the middle aperture setting within the camera's range (or SLR lens) will provide the sharpest pictures. It's basically the "sweet spot" of the camera.

longlivenyhc

08/31/2004 01:56:47 PM · #14

Originally posted by r0yal:

biggest aperature would allow more light into the pic, allowing for a shorter shutter time. and neatimage is free

08/31/2004 01:58:31 PM · #15

oh, ok..I will have to try takin some night shots tonight, using all these different techniques..

do any of you guys/girls know a site where I can read some techniques of photography, to help me out :) thanks

longlivenyhc