Grainy pics at dawn
Sep 24, 2018 16:58:39 #
I'm new to DSLR photography, have fallen completely in love with the hobby and am realizing how frustrating it can be. The wife and I are vacationing in Jackson Hole, WY. and we got up at dark this morning to catch the first light for some awesome shots. I get back to the cabin to download my shots and realized that all of my first light shots were grainy; so disappointed. I shot with a D3400 in aperture priority with a Nikon 70-300. I think my problem was shooting freehand instead of using my tripod and not using a slower shutter speed and not paying attention to my ISO. We will try again in tomorrow morning and I will use a tripod.
Now, I will shut my mouth and ask politely for any help regarding this issue.
Respectfully,
Now, I will shut my mouth and ask politely for any help regarding this issue.
Respectfully,
Sep 24, 2018 17:12:01 #
golfercat
Loc: Southern Calif
A faster lens such as a f1.4 would let more light get to the sensor reducing the ISO needed for proper exposure. Reducing the noise. The only other way you can reduce noise is with a more sensitive sensor.
Sep 24, 2018 17:17:43 #
A. T. wrote:
I'm new to DSLR photography, have fallen completel... (show quote)
I would disregard the previous reply. Get your tripod, lowest iso and appropriate aperture. You will get the quality that you were hoping for today.
Sep 24, 2018 17:18:42 #
Sep 24, 2018 17:21:14 #
There are techniques for determining exposure which will help with grain (noise). However, a good deal of work needs to be done to see how your camera reacts to additional exposure. Reference material can be found by looking up Expose To The Right (ETTR) and Expose Beyond The Right (EBTR).
Additionally, a low ISO setting, along with a tripod will help. If you couple that with the aforementioned ETTR/EBTR techniques, you'll get additional grain suppression.
--Bob
Additionally, a low ISO setting, along with a tripod will help. If you couple that with the aforementioned ETTR/EBTR techniques, you'll get additional grain suppression.
--Bob
A. T. wrote:
I'm new to DSLR photography, have fallen completel... (show quote)
Sep 24, 2018 17:29:24 #
Post a shot that disappointed you, and be sure to check the “store original” box, so we’ll be able to provide accurate advice.
Sep 24, 2018 17:32:14 #
A. T. wrote:
I'm new to DSLR photography, have fallen completel... (show quote)
Could you please post an example of the excessive graininess? I would like to compare it to graininess in shots I have taken with a Canon. With the Canon I frequently have to use very low ISO to combat grain issues---which makes faster shutter speeds difficult. Glad I have Lightroom and PS.
Also, I have a friend who has (I think) the same camera and I have been surprised by the lack of grain in some of her low light pix. Also, as I recall, I think she was just using a simple automatic mode cuz she was uncertain what settings to use in the low light situation. You might try that and see if you notice a big difference in the grain and compare the auto settings to the settings you had. You can maybe use that as a starting point to fine tune your settings.
As I mentioned, I would be interested to see an example of one of your grainy pix.
Thanks
Sep 24, 2018 18:21:04 #
A.T., it sounds like you already understand the relationship among aperture, shutter speed and ISO - and just forgot to double-check settings in the excitement of the moment. We've all been there! 
Folks who aren't used to shooting in low light might not realize how slow a shutter speed is needed in order to avoid high ISO - especially when you want to have a nice depth of field with landscape shots. It could be instructive if you post both a disappointing shot and one where you used a tripod, so that people can compare both the settings and the image quality.
Folks who aren't used to shooting in low light might not realize how slow a shutter speed is needed in order to avoid high ISO - especially when you want to have a nice depth of field with landscape shots. It could be instructive if you post both a disappointing shot and one where you used a tripod, so that people can compare both the settings and the image quality.
Sep 24, 2018 18:54:36 #
Tripod.
Shut IS off
Remote shutter or timer
Start at Base iso
Set aperture to desired setting.
If the exposure time is too long, slowly increase ISO to shorten the time. You can also open up the lens, however shooting at a closed down aperture usually results in a sharper image.
Be prepared to move quickly adjusting settings as the sunlight will change quickly. Make sure you arrive before sunrise and stay until the sun has fully risen.
If shooting into the sun, stop down f11 or so (depending on camera) to get a sunburst effect.
Shut IS off
Remote shutter or timer
Start at Base iso
Set aperture to desired setting.
If the exposure time is too long, slowly increase ISO to shorten the time. You can also open up the lens, however shooting at a closed down aperture usually results in a sharper image.
Be prepared to move quickly adjusting settings as the sunlight will change quickly. Make sure you arrive before sunrise and stay until the sun has fully risen.
If shooting into the sun, stop down f11 or so (depending on camera) to get a sunburst effect.
Sep 24, 2018 20:01:10 #
`
While some exposures are definitely wrong,
there is no single "right" exposure, so don't
forget to bracket !
`
While some exposures are definitely wrong,
there is no single "right" exposure, so don't
forget to bracket !
`
Sep 24, 2018 20:01:41 #
Looking forward to seeing some examples (so we can see detail and EXIF data), but I’ll just add that my experience has been that shooters often focus too much attention at shooting at low/base ISOs. Your Nikon has respectable performance at higher ISOs, and I’d expect it to be usable to ISO 1600 or 3200 (and 6400 in a pinch) with manageable noise, especially if you use some noise reduction in post. That doesn’t mean that using a lower ISO won’t result in higher DR and lower noise - it will, but I wouldn’t let it dominate to the point that I sacrificed sharpness by a too low shutter speed, or DOF with a too wide aperture. Just a general observation. Gene51 recently posted a series of night shots on another thread taken at ISOs from 800 to 6400 with a camera with a smaller sensor and a stop worse high ISO/low light performance than your 3400 which were quite acceptable.
Sep 24, 2018 20:08:58 #
User ID wrote:
`
While some exposures are definitely wrong,
there is no single "right" exposure, so don't
forget to bracket !
`
While some exposures are definitely wrong,
there is no single "right" exposure, so don't
forget to bracket !
`
good point
Sep 24, 2018 20:24:26 #
User ID wrote:
`
While some exposures are definitely wrong,
there is no single "right" exposure, so don't
forget to bracket !
`
While some exposures are definitely wrong,
there is no single "right" exposure, so don't
forget to bracket !
`
or post-process.
Sep 24, 2018 20:30:09 #
TriX wrote:
Looking forward to seeing some examples (so we can... (show quote)
I might add that "grain" isn't necessarily bad. Some of the best photographs I remember seeing from the film days had lots of grain. So it all depends on the kind of image you're trying to get. But then, as I've learned on UHH, there is a difference between "grain" and "noise"!
Sep 24, 2018 22:45:40 #
Okay, thanks for the advice. Man, there is SO much to learn, but I am so excited to learn this new hobby. I'm an old dog who is anxious to learn new tricks, LOL.
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