Help! I don't know what I did wrong!

[CaseyS]

Hi all!
I'm new around these parts! My name is Casey and I'm a newbie! I've been lurking for a couple of weeks and learned a ton from you guys already, so thanks! I've answered many questions by searching through previous threads, but I can't seem to find an answer for my problem!

I have a Canon T1i (with the kit lens) and yesterday I bought a 50/1.8. Also yesterday I had my first outdoor shoot. I went to edit and there is a ton of noise on my images! So, here's the back story. I shoot in raw, sort the CR2 in LR and then convert to DNG so I can open in CS3. I just started doing this process yesterday as well. So with all the variables I'm not sure what my problem is. The image attached is at Iso 1600 but even the Iso 100 has some pretty obvious issues. I'm also attaching a screen shot of a zoomed in version of the same image.

Please help! Oh, and fyi, I welcome any and all cc. Don't worry about hurting my feelings! Thanks in advance!

[ngoduyviet]

I believe ISO 1600 on an XTi will be fairly noisy. Post an ISO 100 un-edited sample and 100% crop, maybe we'll be able to figure out what's going on.

[CaseyS]

Ok, this isn't the greatest image but I hope it gets the point across. This is at 100. Thank you!

[CaptainTom]

There are three general reasons for image noise.

1- High ISO - the 1600ISO kind of noise
2- sensor overheating - this is unlikely in our current weather pattern.
3- underexposure - I would guess this is the case with your ISO100 shot but I'm not familiar with you camera enough to be definitive.

[Wes]

Why are you shooting 1/1000 at ISO 1600? For a portrait like this I can't see the need for that kind of shutter speed. Slow your shutter down to something much lower and you should also be able to lower your ISO, thus eliminating much of the noise.

[CaseyS]

Tom-Thanks!

Wes-ignorance I was shooting in aperture priority. Thanks for the advice.

Do you have any suggestions on how I can salvage these images?

[ngoduyviet]

That ISO 100 100% crop doesn't look as bad as the other one, it is a bit underexposed however.

I think your camera is fine, just need to expose correctly. A simple solution to fix is run them through a noise removal software, noise ninja for Photoshop comes to mind.

[Wes]

Casey - I wasn't being critical (I don't think you took it that way). It was an honest question. I'm seeing more and more people shoot at ISO's higher than really needed based upon available light. I'm curious as to why people are doing that. I always shoot with the bare minimum ISO that I can get away with.

As for salvaging the images, do you have any kind of noise removal software (i.e., Noise Ninja)?

[CaseyS]

No, I don't have noise software currently. The image at 100% crop I had originally put into the reject pile I just pulled it out to show the noise. I didn't know that underexposure would cause noise. I guess I'll put this shoot in the "you live and learn" pile.

Wes-I didn't think you were being critical.

[Friendomyn11]

My thoughts..... if you didn't use fill flash, you might try that. Put some light on the subject and sparkle in the eyes. You will have to change your white balance, but you should be able to use 100 or 200 ISO and a much slower shutter speed with no unusual issues. Are you shooting in Manual? Portrait? Auto modes? More information might help to give more advice.

Friendomyn11 added 11 Minutes and 25 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by CaseyS

Ok, this isn't the greatest image but I hope it gets the point across. This is at 100. Thank you!

This photo screams "I need fill flash" (in my opinion). One of the issues of portraits I always work to avoid is "dead eye" which is when the eyes look dull and lifeless because of no lights/twinkle in the eyes. Fill flash or even a reflector/reflectors will elimiate this pretty unflattering, unnatural look. Now... even if you had your ISO set at 100, if your shutter speed was too high.... the image would not have had enough light to keep noise from occuring. If you are not using your camera's meter... that would be the first place I would start. Now for the compliments. :) Your posing is very appealing... cute... for the subject you are shooting so your ideas are working. Keep it up!!!
RJS - Deer Park

[AllenAyres]

In many cases correcting the exposure on an underexposed image at 100 ISO will introduce as much/more noise than correcting the exposure on an image shot at high ISO.

Originally Posted by CaseyS

So, here's the back story. I shoot in raw, sort the CR2 in LR and then convert to DNG so I can open in CS3. I just started doing this process yesterday as well.

That converting to DNG seems like an extra step, you should be able to open the CR2 RAW file in CS3 unless CS3 doesn't support your camera's RAW output (like the 5D2).

[CaseyS]

On these images, I was shooting in aperture priority. I've been trying to only shoot in manual but it take a little longer for me to get things correct so I was trying to save the time before I lost the light from the sun.

Thanks for the tip on the eyes. I'll work on that.

My CS3 doesn't support my raw output. I got CS4 over the weekend, just haven't downloaded it on to my notebook yet. So I'll be skipping that step soon hopefully.

Now I know that the higher the ISO the more noise I will have, but when I first got my camera I didn't know that so I shot almost everything at 3200. There wasn't nearly the amount of noise on any of those images. Is there any particular reason that there would be on these?

[Friendomyn11]

Even when you have a dark photo that seems as though all is lost... not always the case. Photoshop is a wonderful tool that can be used artistically to turn an ordinary or even 'bad' photo into an artistic portrait your client might just be pleased with. In the first photo, I just used levels to lighten the entire photo. I lightened the eyes with dodge and gave them some catch lights as well. I used the Portraiture program which softened and then the sharpen filter to put back in some sharper detail. A little more color / makeup was needed (again in my opinion) and I darkened the lips just a tad. I cropped for more of a headshot because the background was at a tilt and distracting... which could have been straightened, but that was not necessary if I was cropping anyway. In the second photo, I used the Texturizer filter in Photoshop which is one that I particularly like with all types of images. Tons of things you can do to save that picture... even if it is only for practicing and learning the ropes in Photoshop.
NOTE: Keep working with your Manual Mode. Once you get it.... you will have the better results you are trying to achieve.
RJS - Deer Park, Tx

[AllenAyres]

Originally Posted by CaseyS

On these images, I was shooting in aperture priority. I've been trying to only shoot in manual but it take a little longer for me to get things correct so I was trying to save the time before I lost the light from the sun.

AP works pretty well but can give inconsistent results depending on where the focus point rests (it'll try to compensate if it meters off the lighter face vs. the dark hair, the white shirt vs. the dark vest etc.)

Unless clouds are moving overhead (changing the amount of light falling on your subject) your results will be more consistent in manual.

These aren't bad for your first 'senior-ish' shoot. Noiseware will improve them some. Practice, practice, practice until manual is second-nature. I'd take your little ones to the same location one day and shoot until they get tired, then bribe them with ice cream for some more practice

[Friendomyn11]

Having fun with your senior photos as I am seeing they can be saved. I worked on your 1st shot and see that the noise is really pretty minimal. Surely, you have less to do when your settings are correct, but using your photoshop software will allow you to see that you can save many shots that you thought were trash.