Got a big one

[wendell westfall]

D70s 70-200VR+2X@400 1/320 f 5.6 ISO400 -1/3EV handheld

My picture was taken this morning just before sunup. By the way, I did not notice that I had left the EV setting at -1/3. The image is not cropped, but is heavily adjusted for NR in Elements. I made various other adjustments as well, in LR, particularly Exposure and Brightness. Originally the image was very dark. (I post this image for criticism, not because I think it's a winner). I would like to know what caused the color noise, graininess, in the feathers (if that is what it is) and how I could avoid it in the future, or how it could be corrected in PP. Was it simply a case of having insufficient light? Should I stay in bed a little longer? Remember to change my EV settings? Thanks in advance for all critiques . . . they are very helpful. Please give me your best shot.

Wendell

[Lance Peters]

D70s 70-200VR+2X@400 1/320 f 5.6 ISO400 -1/3EV handheld

My picture was taken this morning just before sunup. By the way, I did not notice that I had left the EV setting at -1/3. The image is not cropped, but is heavily adjusted for NR in Elements. I made various other adjustments as well, in LR, particularly Exposure and Brightness. Originally the image was very dark. (I post this image for criticism, not because I think it's a winner). I would like to know what caused the color noise, graininess, in the feathers (if that is what it is) and how I could avoid it in the future, or how it could be corrected in PP. Was it simply a case of having insufficient light? Should I stay in bed a little longer? Remember to change my EV settings? Thanks in advance for all critiques . . . they are very helpful. Please give me your best shot.

Wendell

Hi wendell - would you post the original with no changes as well?? Will help see what is goin gon.

[David Stephens]

Nice catch, for the bird AND you. :cool:

Even at your low ISO, underexposure will add significantly to noise. Since you didn't have any highlights to worry about blowing out, you might have tried this at +1EV or even higher and maybe bumped the ISO up to 800. Properly exposed at ISO 800, you'll generally get less noise than underexposed at the lower ISO, within limits of course. (I don't know the D70 well, but I understand that it is very capable at higher ISOs).

I'll be curious to see the original, uncorrected image to see just how much correction you had to apply.

Dave

[wendell westfall]

Here it is, Lance . . .

[wendell westfall]

David, your comments sound "right on" to me . . . please see my re-post, per Lance's request.

[David Stephens]

David, your comments sound "right on" to me . . . please see my re-post, per Lance's request.

Oh yeah, waaay underexposed. Pull out the NR software, as you've done. :D

You really have to watch your EV settings and ISOs, particularly as the sun is rising and setting. I'm often up at ISO 1600 (on a Canon 7D usually) in the predawn, but ready to move it down as soon as I can, to 800, then 400, then 200, sometimes within just a few minutes, all the time thinking about the EV in the context of your subject's dynamic range.

I've taken a shot or two after dusk at ISO 6400 and been simply amazed at the IQ and low noise level IF (big IF) I don't underexpose. Yes, the image isn't ideal, but occasionally it'll document something exciting. Staying at a low ISO and underexposing in those situation, IME, is worse than pumping the ISO up and get a correct exposure.

Dave

[Lance Peters]

Hi Wendell - David is correct - under exposed is always going to introduce noise.
Have to get your exposure much closer - use your histogram on the back of the camera - turn your over exposure blinkies on and push the histogram to the right of the centre.

Will help if you have a look into some exposure theory - understand how the meter in your camera works and it wont be long before you really start to get a understanding of what needs to happen BEFORE you even take the shot.

Love the action - well caught.

[Gerald Kelberg]

Hi Wendell,

I thought that you had a great shot here and decided to play around with it a bit in PS. The big changes were made by twice duplicating the layer and using "Screen" mode - this seemed to lighten the image without adding a lot of noise. Then I adjusted the white balance. After that I made some tweaks to taste - colour saturation and brightness - just small amounts. Then I cleaned up the water and added some more at the top to get the composition I liked and did some cropping to get rid of most of the reeds or whatever. Finally, just a fairly light touch with NN, throttling back to keep as much detail as possible, then a little selective USM on the head and fish.

I hope you like the result.

Best regards,

Gerald

[David Stephens]

Wow! Very nice repost Gerald. I would never have know you started with such a "problem."

[wendell westfall]

Hi Gerald:

Yes, I do like it! Nice of you to take the time and to add the steps you took to get there. I've learned a lot with all the responses to my post -- just what I had hoped for.

Thanks,
Wendell