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Hello, .

Based on how I hear photographers talking about noise, you would think it's the worst thing to happen to our pictures. 

But take it from me, there are far worse things that can happen to our pictures than noise. 

For example, the heavy-handed, in-camera noise reduction that's usually preset by the manufacturer when you get your camera.  

There are usually two types of noise reduction: high-ISO noise reduction and slow shutter speed noise reduction. 

And here's the funny thing: noise reduction doesn't reduce noise. Read that again. 

Yup, noise reduction doesn't reduce noise. What it does is make the noise less noticeable.

"But isn't that a good thing, Sam?"  

Our aesthetic opinions about noise aside, nope!

And I say nope because all forms of noise reduction work by softening our image. 

It's like getting a heaping handful of petroleum jelly, smearing it evenly on a window, and making the previously sharp, great view out of the window not-so-great by making it unsharp.   

Noise is the digital version of film grain. 

Before digital cameras, we had film. And the film had grain. The grain became more noticeable as the ISO got higher on the film. 

Digital cameras don't have grain; they've got pixels. Regardless of the ISO, the pixels stay the same size. But as the ISO goes up, each pixel pulls in a stronger light signal, heats the pixels, and causes more noticeable noise. This can also happen at low ISOs with longer shutter speeds. 

Noise has a visual, what I'd call gritty quality.

Sometimes, I'll intentionally use a higher ISO to get that gritty quality because I feel it visually supports the subject matter or introduces a "feel" to the work. Other times, I need to use a higher ISO because it allows me to get faster shutter speeds and smaller apertures.  

Whatever the reason I use a high ISO, I don't use in-camera noise reduction. 

But what about the ISO reduction feature in software like Lightroom and Photoshop? 

I usually don't use that either.

However, If you feel compelled to reduce noise, those options are much better than in-camera because you control the amount of noise reduction applied. 

Here's what I suggest: give noise a chance. Shut off all forms of noise reduction and take some pictures using the lowest ISO setting you have, the highest ISO setting you have, and everything in between.  Just stick to the numbers. If your camera has them, don't use ISO settings beyond the highest and lowest numbers because those settings aren't reliable. 

Once you shut off all noise reduction, you'll find that noise ain't the visual pariah that many photographers make it out to be, and you'll begin to appreciate it as much as I do. 

The  Introduction To Photography class starts this Sunday, 11 

And there are other scheduled group classes below. 

Smaller classes mean better learning, so no more than five participants and me are in each class. 

But smaller classes also mean spots fill up quicker. 

And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture daily. 

That's all for now; thanks for reading! 
Sam

I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me. 

And what if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes? If that's the case, let's schedule a one-time lesson or a series of in-person or online private instruction that covers the same things as my group classes. 

Ways to work with me are listed below.