Noise or No Noise, that is the question.

[JFeinbergPhotography]

When I'm editing my photos, I usually tend to always reduce noise so that it is non-existent or extremely minimal. I know it reduces sharpness, but I just can't stand the sight of noise (except for b&w).

What do you do? Do you sacrifice sharpness?

[OsmosisStudios]

Case-by-case basis. There is no one solution.

[3bayjunkie]

i want both!

[Jim Bryant]

I use Picture Codes noise ninja and then sharper, which is the very last step one should do in post processing. If you sharpen in any other steps, you're just sharpening noise, dust specks.

[Niresangwa]

what's wrong with some noise?

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

what's wrong with some noise?

Guess it depends on the effect you want.

[SwissJon]

I reduce noise first. Do any other alterations, then sharpen.

If I want noise in my photos, I'll add it, I dont like digital noise, I prefer the Faux analog noise added by LR or PS.

Unfortunately the default setting for Lightroom is to sharpen and brighten your picture before you get to touch it, kinda annoying when you forget to reset the defaults on a new catalogue.

[JFeinbergPhotography]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I reduce noise first. Do any other alterations, then sharpen.

If I want noise in my photos, I'll add it, I dont like digital noise, I prefer the Faux analog noise added by LR or PS.

Unfortunately the default setting for Lightroom is to sharpen and brighten your picture before you get to touch it, kinda annoying when you forget to reset the defaults on a new catalogue.

Really? I haven LR and I've never noticed it do that before. What settings area should I check to make sure?

[Jim Poor]

It also depends on presentation. Noise (unless it's just REALLY bad) doesn't show in prints, but shows on a monitor.

[ravncat]

a balancing act depending on the photo - but it is generally possible to reduce noise and increase sharpness.