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ISO Noise Explained

  • Tuesday 11 July 2017
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  • ISO noise is also referred to as image noise and is a very common problem in today’s digital cameras, it is random and it refers to variations of color and brightness in the picture.

    ISO Noise Explained

    The ISO noise somewhat resembles electronic noise and it can be triggered by the sensor of the camera. At the same time, ISO noise can also appear under the form of film grain: either way, this is an undesirable effect that can ruin a picture. On the other hand, noise can also appear as speckled pixels of color that give the picture that unpleasant grainy effect.


    Here you will find out more about the ISO noise, its underlying causes and the measures you can take in order to avoid it.

    How to avoid ISO Noise?

    As mentioned above, the digital camera sensor is directly connected to the amount and intensity of color noise. Digital cameras (as opposed to traditional analog cameras) rely on a sensor rather than on a film, and this sensor receives light that will be processed into electric charges that are reflected as pixels in the final image.

    Every fluctuation in the signal or in the electron flow around the camera sensor can result in electronic noise. At the same time, sensor imperfections or overheating can also trigger noise.

    In order to lower the risk for image noise, professional photographers are advised to purchase high-end equipment, as using state-of-the-art equipment is the easiest way to combat noise (not to mention that they are also linked to increased performance).

    The age of the camera also plays a pivotal role, as older cameras collect less light as opposed to newer ones, and this can result in a greater amount of noise. Otherwise stated, if you use outdated gear you are more likely to experience image noise.

    On the other hand, the camera’s manual mode can also add to the noise. If you set the camera’s exposure mode to automatic/manual, the images will look grainy.

    This is why it is highly recommended to become familiar with the exposure settings and to use them in your best interest in order to lower the amount of digital noise in the photos. All the information you need will be found in your camera’s users manual.

    Another tip to reduce photo noise is to make the images brighter. The brighter the image, the less visible the noise will be. It often happens that noise appears in the darker parts of your photos, this is why adding an extra light source of any kind will not only reduce the amount of shadow, but it will also reduce the mount of noise in the picture.

    Does underexposure trigger ISO Noise?

    There are several factors that influence the onset of ISO noise: the light sensitivity of your camera, the aperture and the shutter speed are three of the factors. Low ISO means less sensitivity to light, and high ISO means higher sensitivity. Low ISO will result in darker pictures given the fact that it allows very little light (and, as mentioned above, darker pictures are more prone to ISO noise than brighter ones), and underexposure can cause noise as well. On the other hand, overexposure can cause the bothersome “burned” appearance of the photos, this is why the photographer needs to find the best exposure time based on several factors.

    Does spot metering help to reduce ISO Noise?

    The notion of metering refers to the way in which your camera determines the aperture and the shutter speed, by taking into account both the ISO speed and the available lighting conditions. There are various types of metering: partial, center-weighted, spot metering and so on.

    Spot metering will give you more control over the exposure time, as opposed to all the other metering options available. However, this is what makes spot metering very difficult to use, especially by beginners. Spot metering is particularly useful for reducing the ISO noise when shooting the portrait of somebody when the light source is located in the back of the subject. At the same time, metering is widely used for creating very unique exposures in conditions of unusual ambient lighting.                                    

    Can sensor dust cause ISO Noise?

    Dust and debris on the sensor is one of the most common causes of ISO noise, this is why professional photographers must clean the camera sensor on a constant basis. At the same time, dust is known to appear at narrow apertures, and it is almost never visible in the picture when the aperture is widely open.

    Dust appears as very small black dots, similar to pictures. Sensor noise and sensor dust are very similar, therefore if you experience noise in the pictures it is recommended to clean the sensor.

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