dark pictures... NOISE

[P_fuzz]

lately I have been in the mood of shooting dark-ish photos, underxposed type things... but I always get turned off by the noise it produces...

how would I control that? or once pritned it wouldnt be a problem.

for example this image:
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lt...gue6o1_500.jpg

[photogdude]

learn how to use the histogram to expose to the right, then bring down the exposure in your raw program, you really should shoot raw to do this.

[plugsnpixels]

Also, in post-processing, you can apply a noise-reduction plug-in such as Topaz DeNoise.

[John Wheeler]

+1 on photogdude's advice

I also agree with plugsnpixels for noise reduction. Alternate suggestion is to use either using the noise reduction software of LR3 or ACR in PS CS5. They both took a big step forward in capability compared to prior versions if you want a path that does not involve paying for a plug-in.

[0lBaldy]

Also agree with photogdude.. (BTW Welcome to RetouchPRO photogdude )

I would shoot in RAW mode and if possible, try to have the histogram fill the entire tonal range like a daytime shot, fully exposing the image, then decrease the exposure afterwards... this should give you minimal image noise because more light was collected on the sensor.

[P_fuzz]

would this be the same process if we were taking the photos on Film?

[Tony W]

Film is not quite the same as digital as the granularity is fixed by fim type and speed and also controlled to an extent by the developer type. So generally you will not introduce more noise into the shadows by using a high ISO film or adjusting exposure as the grain/noise is already there.

As pointed out your digital sensor operates differently as it collects light, the more it can collect the less the signal has to be amplified - amplification leads to noise.

When photographing with film a rule of thumb would be to expose for the shadows and develop for the highlights for B&W or to a lesser extent colour film (because of the fairly strict procees time). With transparency film you would probably want to base exposure most of the time on the important highlights so as not to burn out detail - the shadows would then fall where they will but would need checking to make sure enough detail recorded

[P_fuzz]

thank you Tony

[Heretic]

i think the best solution is in the camera and your ISO