so much noise I need earplugs!

[amy_bb]

Ugh. Blech....I did it again. Trying desperately to shoot gymnastics in an indoor gym I and I just can't get the shutter speed, ISO, white balance and aperture right. I followed someone's advice to push up the ISO and I got so much grain I could make a pot of rice. I am truly just a hobby photographer but really want to use anything in my current arsenal to improve each time I shoot my most common subjects (I could also be open to adding a thing or two if it will make a big difference). This shot is SOOC b/c I just don't know where to begin. I was shooting on Shutter Priority, had my monopod and my Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 lens on my Sony A330. I cannot use a flash. Questions: How can I shoot something like this BETTER with my available gear and where do I begin w/PP? TIA....





Camera Sony DSLR-A330
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 75 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
WB set to flourescent

[photog1107]

A couple of questions: Do you currently shoot RAW and does your Tamron have image stabilization?

The IS feature won't do anything for the grain problem, but can help with shake when you are up against available light challenges. But shooting RAW will give you the most power in your arsenal to deal with the white balance challenge in PP.

The only other thing is an expensive upgrade with your camera.... I don't know much about the Sony's specs, but the 7D has pretty good ISO performance, such that you can push your speed higher than 1600 and still keep grain to a minimum.

Finally, I'd invest in a noise reduction program--Noise Ninja or Noiseware are both good ones and can significantly improve your final product.

I used to shoot a lot of gymnastics myself, and I definetely feel your pain! Good luck!

[zona5101]

What post processing software do you have? The best part of this image is it is mostly sharp. You can fix white balance, you can fix exposure, and you can fix the grain. You could have fixed or at least account for the first two before (in camera) by shooting a wb shot and adjusting. Also your subject is a bit underexposed and that is probably a result of the white wall adding its influence. the fix i did i didn't really suppress the noise as much as i could because it starts to look a bit soft...

[amy_bb]

Originally Posted by photog1107

A couple of questions: Do you currently shoot RAW and does your Tamron have image stabilization?

The IS feature won't do anything for the grain problem, but can help with shake when you are up against available light challenges. But shooting RAW will give you the most power in your arsenal to deal with the white balance challenge in PP.

The only other thing is an expensive upgrade with your camera.... I don't know much about the Sony's specs, but the 7D has pretty good ISO performance, such that you can push your speed higher than 1600 and still keep grain to a minimum.

Finally, I'd invest in a noise reduction program--Noise Ninja or Noiseware are both good ones and can significantly improve your final product.

I used to shoot a lot of gymnastics myself, and I definetely feel your pain! Good luck!

Photog-I don't shoot RAW because I have an irrational fear of RAW. Why? B/C I've never done that. I can shoot Raw and then just have to learn how to upload RAW images into the computer. Wonder if PSE 8.0 can do this? Camera software (which I would have to reload from SONY).

Here are the image sensor specs on the SONY:Imaging Sensor : APS-C size CCD sensor (23.5x15.7mm)
Pixel Gross : Approx. 10.8 megapixels
Color Filter System : RGB primary color filters
Is this what you were asking?

Zona--Wow, that does look alot better. I have PSE 8.0. What did you use? What processes did you use? I don't have any specific additional noise reduction software (going to check out what photog suggested). I tried to do a Custom WB for a while and got 5500K when I metered off the wall. It didn't seem to make a lot of difference but this is the first time I've done a custom WB so maybe I didn't grab it quite right.

[zona5101]

i did the edit in photoshop but only because i'm lazy. I would have preferred using lightroom because it's easier but i'd have to import it and all that where in PS i copy and paste...
On noise reduction...Lightroom3 has excellent NR. Until then you should check out Noiseware community edition. Susan H turned me on to it (it's FREE!) and it is very good.

Imagenomic - Imagination at Shutter Speed
last item listed

[amy_bb]

Originally Posted by zona5101

i did the edit in photoshop but only because i'm lazy. I would have preferred using lightroom because it's easier but i'd have to import it and all that where in PS i copy and paste...
On noise reduction...Lightroom3 has excellent NR. Until then you should check out Noiseware community edition. Susan H turned me on to it (it's FREE!) and it is very good.

Imagenomic - Imagination at Shutter Speed
last item listed

Holy Guacamole! What a difference that program makes! I've filtered about 6 images so far and they look soooo much better. Thank you a bunch. They actually look almost a little goodish now.

[amy_bb]

I edited, filtered for noise, cropped and lightened and here is the result. I played around with the saturation but the leos are soooo pink and the floor is sooo blue that the more I played with it, the more fake it looked. I'm learning with each step and am now better at editing anything that relates to the whole photo. Still trying to do edits on smaller segments of the picture. I know my white balance is still off (white wall has a pink cast) and I didn't shoot in RAW so except for lightening the whole pic past the point of overexposure, I think I'm stuck w/it. Thanks for all the advice!

[zona5101]

There has got to be an "auto-white balance" tool in PSE8 where you use an eyedropper to click in the image and automatically adjust the color balance. It usually wants gray but you can click on the white wall and adjust exposure and/or brightness...

[amy_bb]

Originally Posted by zona5101

There has got to be an "auto-white balance" tool in PSE8 where you use an eyedropper to click in the image and automatically adjust the color balance. It usually wants gray but you can click on the white wall and adjust exposure and/or brightness...

Ya know what? There is. I just found it. Now I feel compelled to re-edit and re-upload all 188 gymnastics pictures I took on Saturday RIGHT NOW.

Guess dinner will be late.

[jml79]

Just some info from a sony shooter. The free raw software from sony is super easy to use. At the very least you will be able to adjust the WB and exposure a little better before importing into PS.

All sony cameras have internal IS called super steady shot. You just have to make sure you turn it on. You never have to worry about buying more expensive IS lenses. Other than that just get the fastest lenses you can afford. Use spot metering or manual exposure and continuous AF.

Good luck.