Recently I have been involved in projects that involve some serous low light photography. I thought I would write a quick blog about the equipment & software I have been using to help me get quite usable results.
The most recent project was Unfolding theatre’s Building palaces. This was a very dark multi room promenade show with the light going from very bright to complete darkness. It was a challenge so I decided to arm myself with a 2x Nikon D700’s both with Nikkor high quality fast primes. Camera no1 was fitted with the New Nikkor 24mm ƒ/1.4 G ED and Camera no2 was fitted with the classic Nikkor 85mm ƒ1.4 AF D, Even with with using very fast glass my ISO was between 100 & 6400! so no matter what camera you are using with maybe the exception of the D3s I was still going to get bags of noise. But thats where the amazing noise reduction from CS5 comes into play. I am extremely impressed with this software it is amazing just watching the noise disappear,
Below are some examples of my lowlight work for Building palaces.
ISO 1000 ƒ/1.6
ISO 1000 ƒ/1.6
ISO1600 ƒ/1.8
ISO 1000 ƒ/1.8
September 22nd, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Hi Reed,
That noise reduction is incredible! There’s not an ounce of grain at all at that res’, and barely any details lost it seems.
Four really great shots, I particularly like the mask one, pretty creepy!
September 22nd, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Cheers Oliver, CS5 really is amazing I will be sad when my 30 day trail runs out 😦
September 22nd, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Hey your stuff is so good, losing CS5 isn’t going to make the slightest bit of difference! ciao!
September 22nd, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Cheers for saying that but It really dose help with the noise. Cheers,
October 23rd, 2010 at 9:37 am
Some seriously good low light images. Shame CS5 costs so much. The last shot tands out for me. Super smoooooth.