Noise can ruin an otherwise great photo. Modern technology in digital cameras, whether Point and Shoot or DSLRs hasn't quite matched the capability of film cameras, yet. I believe, someday, it may and there are some awesome programs you can buy to squeeze those digital pixels closer together and eliminate some noise, but your best bet is this: Stop the Noise where it starts. If you use the lowest ISO setting you can on your camera and eliminate camera shake, you will eliminate noise. Point and Shoots and DSLRs in AUTO MODE generally take the photo at the lowest ISO for the lighting available.
The slightest movement when you push the shutter button, however, will cause noise. For a photo of a still object a tripod is the best accessory you can buy to steady the camera. Lacking a tripod, I have used walls, the roof of a car, rocks, tree limbs, my cellular phone any all kinds of other gadgets to steady that camera for a clear, crisp shot. Even mounted on a tripod your camera shakes when you depress and release the shutter button. Here's how you eliminate shutter shake; get a cable release or remote for your camera. Another option is to use a timer, if your camera is equipped with one. My cameras all have the option of two or ten second timers. I always choose the ten second option. A steady tripod, camera focused, press the shutter button and step back while the camera ceases moving and makes the shot by itself. Give it a try and see how you Stopped the Noise you had in previous photos. Until next time, Happy Shooting!
A wildlife photographer living in Okinawa, Japan, Mike has been featured in Matador Abroad and is published in Apogee Photo Magazine, Boots N all, The Nihon Sun and Photo Guide Japan. He has recently joined the ranks of travel writers, capturing Nature, Festivals, Castles and Cultural shots of the Ryukyu Islands to share with the world.
