Why are these so grainy?

[Marseeya]

I'm sorry if I don't make sense. Bear with me because I'm a complete novice!

Here are two pictures I took with my Canon S2 IS:
http://home.comcast.net/~marseeya/beansmile.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~marseeya/lolmirror.jpg

Why are they so grainy? I have the camera set to fine (should I choose superfine?). I'm just uploading these as they come from the camera without resizing.

When I took similar pictures with my Fujifilm S5100, the pictures never turned out grainy like that. Just to show you an example:

(Yes, I know it might look gross, but it's the Boma buffet Just wanted to find another closeup picture)

http://home.comcast.net/~marseeya/bomabuffet.JPG

Any thoughts?

 

[grimgrinnin]

It's because of the ISO setting.

Either:
You have the camera on automatic, but told it to not use flash. The camera is automatically compensating for a low-light situation without being able to use the flash by cranking up the ISO to it's maximum setting, resulting in the noise (grain).

-OR-

You have the camera on a manual mode and have the ISO set to a high value. I'm not sure how high your camera goes - probably to ISO 1600.


Try turning on the flash, or setting ISO to 100.


Good luck!

grim

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Just wanted to add - if your camera has a macro setting - you may want to use that too (it's for close up pictures)

 

[Marseeya]

It's because of the ISO setting.

Either:
You have the camera on automatic, but told it to not use flash. The camera is automatically compensating for a low-light situation without being able to use the flash by cranking up the ISO to it's maximum setting, resulting in the noise (grain).

-OR-

You have the camera on a manual mode and have the ISO set to a high value. I'm not sure how high your camera goes - probably to ISO 1600.


Try turning on the flash, or setting ISO to 100.


Good luck!

grim

Thanks! I was playing with the camera the other day and had it set to ISO 400, not knowing it would do that. I just tried taking pictures of my legs without the flash on, changing the ISO to 50, then 100, then 200, then 400 and the results got increasingly grainy. See, I still have a lot to learn!

Regarding the ISO, what's best to keep it at? Auto? It doesn't go higher than 400.

 

[Marseeya]

Just wanted to add - if your camera has a macro setting - you may want to use that too (it's for close up pictures)

How close do you need to be for macro?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

1st image, severely out of focus

2nd image, grainy due to high ISO. You can clean it for free using Imagenomic Noiseware (just google it and just use its default settings, you'll be happy)

 

[Marseeya]

1st image, severely out of focus

2nd image, grainy due to high ISO. You can clean it for free using Imagenomic Noiseware (just google it and just use its default settings, you'll be happy)

Thanks! It worked like a charm.

What's the least expensive editing program you would recommend?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

You've got PM

 

[RadioNate]

Hey Kelly can you tell me more about this program. Noise is a big issue in my photos. My DH's hockey photos are the worst but I feel I need to shoot at 400 ISO. I have elements 3 (Mac user) and their noise reduction does ok but not great.

How long is the trial for? The Mac 4.0 version is still in beta but they have a stable 3.4 version, have you used that?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

The trial for Noiseware is unlimited, you just can't save at the utmost highest resolution (I think you can only save to level 8 instead of level 10).

PS: I'm talking about the standalone Community Edition

 

[RadioNate]

great thanks

 

[LMarge]

Kelly, do you think it would clean up fuzzy/grainy gymnasitc shots? I shoot in the AV mode with a 400 ISO due to the really bad lighting most gyms or convention centers have - any suggestions - I do plan to try the Noiseware tonight to see how it does - I could also use software recommendations! TIA

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Yes, it will definitely clean up fuzzy gymnastic shots. If you want, just post a pic here, I'll cleaned it up and re-post it for you. For other software recommendation, I'll PM you.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Marseeya, have you solved your problem? If not, let me know and I'll send you the pic I printed of you and your daughter.

 

[mickman1962]

I've always been partial to neat image

http://www.neatimage.com/

 

[manning]

I have used neatimage on a few shots that were real grainy and it did a good job. In fairness this is the only one I used.

On the 1st shot I agree with Kelly. It looks like the focus point is on the door trim.

 

[Marseeya]

Marseeya, have you solved your problem? If not, let me know and I'll send you the pic I printed of you and your daughter.

Thanks! I think I figured it out. I'll upload some recent pictures later today.

I just need to figure out why and how to use the different ISO settings.