trying to save a noisy picture

[MJean]

Hi all. I need some help. The picture was not real clear so I made it b&w......I sort of like it.. is it overdone? I am really new at this as you can tell. I like to read all the comments and am trying to learn......any critique is welcome! thank you in advance....



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Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/5.3
Focal Length: 42 mm
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Return detected

[thecharmed01]

I wouldn't call it overdone.. in fact I'd be tempted to add a little more grain to it and adjust the curves a little to give it an older B&W feel.....

What's the colour around the edge hiding?
I wonder if rather than colour, if you duplicated the image and gave it a heavy gaussian blur, then masked off the top copy to give it the circular effect it would look quite neat!

Otherwise, there are some really good noise reducing plugins about the place. I use Imagenomic.

I was just playing here....

[Niresangwa]

The noise may be acceptable and could be played off as an 'enhancement', but that vignette really isn't. Sometimes you get a shot that you just have to bite your lip in regret for having not caught enough quality in it and let it go. This may be one of those times.

I have a feeling you're going to lose too much no matter what processing you throw at it.

[Woodymite]

Hi MJean, I really think you are wasting your time with this pic, it's not a good photo at all and doesnt warrant fixing, throw it away and re do it. Get it right in the camera first, the composition of this is just terrible, whats that white thing in the middle of the image? The baby looks like he/she has beautiful eyes but in trying to fix a bad picture you have lost that baby's colours, it's just madness. Both faces are obscured, why bother taking this photo if you are going to hide the most important elements and THEN make it black and white? DO IT AGAIN, but this time think about what you want in the pic. Woodymite.

[thecharmed01]

Originally Posted by Woodymite

Hi MJean, I really think you are wasting your time with this pic, it's not a good photo at all and doesnt warrant fixing, throw it away and re do it. Get it right in the camera first, the composition of this is just terrible, whats that white thing in the middle of the image? The baby looks like he/she has beautiful eyes but in trying to fix a bad picture you have lost that baby's colours, it's just madness. Both faces are obscured, why bother taking this photo if you are going to hide the most important elements and THEN make it black and white? DO IT AGAIN, but this time think about what you want in the pic. Woodymite.

Wow, no offence but you could do well to step back and reword your thoughts.
Maybe it's just me, but I found your 'constructive criticism' to be quite harsh and if that was directed at me, I think I would be absolutely devastated by the manner you posted in.....

I believe that the 'white thing' that you so eloquently point out, is likely to be that child's treasured blanket. Not hard to figure out with little more than a cursory glance.

Colour isn't everything either, Black & White images are often striking in their own right, so telling someone who has said she likes the look of the monotone image that she should use colour is not what I would consider constructive!

Something you might like to think about is that when a mother posts a photo of her and her child, it is usually connected to some VERY strong heart-strings.......
Mother & child photo's are always special to a mother, so while yes, she asked for CC, it's often wise to tread carefully with them.

You never 'throw away' any photo. No matter how bad. Especially if it's of you and your child. You just don't do it!
Especially if you like it.........

Most photo's are able to be saved, you just have to know how! And precious moments like this, may not be the 'perfect' photo but they are priceless........

[Woodymite]

Wow, I don't need to reword my thoughts, I simply gave my opinion of what the image portrayed, as shown. This is a critique forum, you might like to think about that.

[thecharmed01]

Isn't there a difference between constructive criticism and outright criticism?
Critique is one thing........

[LeeR]

All right, before anyone breaks down in tears, let's see if we can bring some sanity to this discussion. The grain problem can be fixed. It really isn't bad and some noiseware will solve the problem. The bothersome thing here is the vignetting. I would have loved to have seen this image pre-vignette, but we haven't been offered that option. Vignettes are supposed to be subtle and there is nothing subtle about this job. Usually we use white or black on a b&w image and for good reason; they generally look better. I tried replacing the gray with black and didn't like it. I tried again with white and...well, it's passable. Not perfect, and not what may have been possible without the vignette, but not too bad either.

[BigFuzzy]

Yes, the original photo may be little more than a family snap shot, but it's not worthy of the trashcan, it's not as if she's trying to sell it or put it on some professional portfolio!

I'm a stickler of vignetting, so I really dislike the vignette, as I think it's way too obvious. I feel that when a post-processing technique becomes an actual element of the image, it's gone too far, but adding noise could add definitely add something to it.

I would ask what you are using in terms of post-processing software? Because some are better than others at simulating grain.

I agree woodymite has a right to his opinion, no matter how harsh, or lacking in credibility by not showing his own work.. anyone can talk, but not all can do. Right woody? Do I agree to his method, no, but can you back up your harshness/opinions by linking to some of your own masterpieces Woody? Are you one of those people who show strength through web-anonymity? I think so.

[SusanH1970]

If you're on a PC, try running Imagenomic's free Community Version of Noiseware on the original (they don't have a free version for Mac). I use it on almost every image I shoot over ISO 800, works like a charm!

That being said, I think it's a very sweet moment captured and agree it's NOT worthy of the trashcan. Though I'm not a fan of the vignette, either. I'd love to see the original run through noiseware w/o the vignette, but I do like the BW!