Noise From Cropped Images

[Tom Charles]

Hi everyone,


Im hoping to find some useful info that will help me deal with the problem of digital noise from cropped images.

Here in the UK its a huge challenge to get both decent light and close enough to the chosen subject to be able to use low enough ISO's and high enough shutterspeeds along with full frame images. In this case, I was ok with ISO and shutterspeed but the bird was quite a distance for even the 500mm.

This image of a Kingfisher was shot at approximately a distance of around 30 to 40 feet. To produce this screen picture, Ive had to crop into the original image quite heavily. This reveals noise that detracts from the shot.

Is there anyway I can process the image from this stage, to remove this unwanted noise and any other image irregularities, for a smoother and pleasing finish? I have access to both Photoshop Elements 4.0 and Photoshop CS2.

Original image details: Canon 20D; Canon 500mm f/4; ISO 200; 1/2500 sec; f/4.5

Im sorry if Ive posted this request in the wrong section.

I am new to this forum, and have posted a 'hello' in the 'Europe' section. Im still trying to find my way around! lol

Thanks in advance for any pointers and advice :)

Regards,

Tom

[Julie Kenward]

Hello, Tom. I'm sure others will jump in here and offer some more suggestions but here's what I know...

There are noise reduction plug-ins on the Internet - some are free demos and some you pay for - almost all of which can be added to Photoshop Elements and CS to help with noise reduction. Noise Ninja and Neat Image are probably the two widest known and both work very well. I would recommend trying the demo version first but definitely move up and buy one because the non-demo version works better from what I've experienced.

I've run your image through Neat Image and there were still quite a few jpeg artifacts left over (those are the squiggly little lines you see around the main areas. Noise is the graininess in the darker areas. If you have a nice blurry background like you do in this image then you can also go in with the blur tool (looks like a water drop on the left side toolbar in both Elements and CS versions of PS.) Make the blur tool fairly large and move it around all of the BG area - it tends to flatten out the culprits pretty well but be careful that you don't move over the main elements (the bird and the perch) or you will blur them as well.

Another thing to try is the filter/blur/surface filter that also will reduce the static in the flat areas of your image. I don't use that one personally but I've seen it demonstrated and it's another option.

My last suggestion is to make the smallest crop possible or invest in a higher pixel camera next time around and always make sure you are shooting in the highest file size to begin with.

I hope that gives you a jumping off point...

[Tom Charles]

Hi Jules,

Thanks for your input and recommendations.
Ive been processing digital images for almost 7 years and have tried various suggestions, including Neat Image and one of my fave tools, Surface Blur (for noisey backgrounds) but my frustrations of late seem to revolve around a noisey cropped image and jpeg artifacts (even sometimes the way it has that 'painted' look). I feel Ive hit a brick wall in my processing now, and feel ready for more pointers and advice as to whether I can utilise any other method to 'rescue' such affected images.

I am aware that I should be closer to most of my wildlife subjects, but over here, that seems almost as challenging as removing image noise!lol and that on top of constant low light levels, adds to my frustrations!

Even with a higher pixel camera I think this challenge would remain; but I certainly take your point and suggestion. I recently bought a Canon 40D, but that was returned in first week with a fault in its focussing; so Im still in the market for a new one.

I will certainly try out, more seriously, your suggestions regarding the plugins; maybe Ive not given them the time required.

Thankyou for your efforts on my posted image; although sadly, I see more artifacts and that 'painted' effect (all related to the crop I accept)

Once again, thankyou,

Regards,

Tom

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Tom,
A big welcome to the BPN family; and especially to The Eager To Learn forum.
I like your image, the colors of your subject are very pleasing. The noise level is not too bad, it could use a very light clean up. The issue here is the head angle of the bird, which would have been better if he were looking at you. Also, he is too centered in frame...The background is very pleasing. Good show, looking foward to your next creation... :cool:

[Lance Peters]

Hi Tom - welcome to the BPN famiy.

Nice Bird - agree with Gus's Technical comments.

As for the noise - its always going to be present - heavy crops you make it more noticeable. So you either have to do your best with it in PP or get closer - not familiar with thecanon lenses myself, but maybe you could look at a 1.4 or 2 X converter to go with your 500.

Keep them coming.

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Tom,
Big welcome from the Cotswolds!
I can't comment on noise reduction issues as my PP skills don't extend that far but I certainly empathise with low light issues - it's driving me crazy at the moment...:(...let's hope for some pretty autumn light...:cool:
Regards,
Nicki

[Stephen Cunliffe]

Tom,
maybe its worth trying a different copy of the 40D, from all that I have seen it produces much less noise than the 20 and 30, presumably due to the new processor

[Daniel Cadieux]

One aspect that hasn't been mentioned yet is sharpening. Sharpening the whole image can introduce noise, or magnify noise that is already present (most evident in BGs). Carefully select the subject and perch only (easiest via Qucik Mask), inverse selection then apply noise reduction on BG only. Now inverse selection again and do your sharpening on bird and perch only. These two steps should be the last two done in your PP workflow.

[Tom Charles]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

The above image was pulled from a 9 hour shoot with these fab birds last weekend, I posted this one just to illustrate my problem; not really as a finished image ready to post or print. This bird was kind enough to give me many decent full profile poses :)

Lance, ive got my eye on a couple of the Canon 1.4x converters at the moment, so Im hoping they will be a good move.

I heard there was a batch of 40D's that werent functioning too well (maybe internet rumours, but hey, it fitted in well with my experience and that of a couple of friends) so my hope is/was to let some time pass before I tried another.

Nicki, oh to be in a country with a constant source of great light huh? lol

Once again, thanks everyone for your suggestions. All appreciated,

Tom

[Tom Charles]

Daniel, thats the sort of info Im really eager to develop. I know there are quite a few editing processes around; Im just not happy with my current approach; Im ready to be shown how to develop these skills further.

Thanks again,

Tom

ps..in fact, I'd love to know how I can edit the various channels of an image; at the moment, I tend to avoid sharpening the whole scene, instead, I try isolating the part I feel requires the sharpening. Is there a tutorial somewhere on how to edit the various channels of an image?; Ive heard the blue channel is often where most digital noise is held.

[Desmond Chan]

Is there a tutorial somewhere on how to edit the various channels of an image?

Just click on the "channels" tap, pick the channel and edit it the way you want it.

Important thing is to know why you want to just do things on one of the channels. The "how" you already know.

The other thing you can do if you want less noise (in tight crop), more resolution and tonal gradation is to get a full-frame camera, something like a Canon 1Ds Mk III or a Nikon D3. No joke. Go see a tight crop pic from them and you'll be amazed.

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi: The New Full frame Nikon D700, rated in between the D3 & D300 has had very glowing reports . . . Gus

[Tom Charles]

Desmond thanks for the info on 'channels'. Having only recently (last few months) purchased the Canon 500mm F/4, the luxury of one of those full-frame cameras is now on my 'long-term' to do list! lol I do fully agree, they are the way to go!

Gus, I know a couple that use the D300, and praise it highly for its control of noise; I may just need to persevere with my Canon kit for a little longer :)

Thanks again for all suggestions,

Tom

[Alfred Forns]

Big Welcome Tom !!!!!

A couple of things that have not been covered. Make sure you have the exposure right one since any opening up in PS will introduce grain and second try converters. If the 500 straight is not enough go with a 1.4X or 2X Nothing like getting the bird in about 80% of the frame.

One other thought regarding he camera. I have an full frame and 1.5X crop factor Lots of time I find myself using the crop factor camera basically as a converter !!! Sure wish the the D3 would have a crop factor but I sort of doubt it !!!