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When we manipulate images, whether by taking them with our cameras, editing them on our computers, or sharing them on our social networks, we often encounter an annoying phenomenon: noise in photography.
This noise, which can come in different forms, disrupts the quality and sharpness of our images.Two types of noise are frequently encountered in the field of photography and digital imaging: grain noise and digital noise.
There are two types of noise:
Grain Noise:
Also known as analog noise, it evokes the era of older technologies. It manifests as visual imperfections resembling grains or random spots on the image.
This form of noise is often the result of electromagnetic interference or limitations of analog equipment, such as film cameras or analog video transmission systems.
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Digital Noise:
Caused by your camera's sensor, digital noise is a direct consequence of digital image processing. It usually appears as unwanted pixels, distortions, or random patterns in smooth areas of the image. This type of noise is often caused by factors such as high ISO sensitivity, data compression, or quantization errors during analog-to-digital conversion.
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In summary, the main difference lies in their origin: grain noise is associated with analog systems, while digital noise is linked to digital systems. However, both can affect data quality and require different strategies to minimize or eliminate them.
To go further on the subject:
What Causes Noise in Photography?
Low-light situations impact the signal-to-noise ratio and can introduce noise into your image. The signal is the actual information, the data you capture during your shot. The idea is to capture enough signal to control noise and thus obtain a better-quality image. To compensate for low light, you have several tools at your disposal: High ISO settings, a longer shutter speed, or a wider aperture 😉
⚡️ CAUSE NUMBER 1:
Too High ISOs
During your shot, each pixel emits a signal when it encounters light. In low-light conditions, pixels have little light fluctuation to report but are amplified by high ISO settings.
Digital Noise: Digital cameras have high ISO sensitivity thresholds, but each level of ISO increase can introduce more electronic noise into the image. Digital sensors capture not only light but also electrical signals, which can be amplified with high ISOs, resulting in digital grain noise.
Grain Noise: In analog photography, too high ISOs can also amplify the inherent noise of the film, usually in the form of grain. High ISO intensifies the signals captured by the film, including imperfections in the medium itself, thus increasing grain noise.
⚡️ CAUSE NUMBER 2:
Your Shutter Speed
The shutter speed determines how long the sensor or film is exposed to light. A wrong selection can affect the amount of light captured and thus influence noise in the image.
Digital Noise: A shutter speed that’s too slow may require the use of higher ISOs to compensate for underexposure, resulting in increased digital noise. Moreover, a very slow shutter speed can lead to motion blur, which can increase perceived noise in the final image.
Grain Noise: In analog photography, a shutter speed that’s too slow can extend the film’s exposure time to external noise sources, thus increasing grain noise.
Note that if you take photos with a slow shutter speed, it’s essential to stabilize your camera or use a tripod to obtain sharp images. Otherwise, any movement in your scene will result in ghostly trails or blurry images.
⚡️ CAUSE NUMBER 3:
Your Aperture
The aperture is a bit like the pupils of your eyes. They adapt to the amount of light: they open in low-light conditions and dilate in dark environments to let in more light.
While ISO determines how fast light reaches your camera’s sensor, the aperture determines how much light it lets in.
A smaller aperture lets in less light but increases depth of field, while a larger aperture lets in more light into your camera but decreases depth of field. And, don’t forget to consider that this can cause blur in your image.
On digital cameras, when you leave the shutter speed slower, it can cause a problem called “electronic noise“. Basically, it’s like the camera sensor or the small circuits inside start making weird noises. You can often see it as small colored dots or grains in the photo, (a bit like when you take a picture of the sun with your old iPhone); thus adding undesirable noise to the image.
Similarly, on analog cameras, a slower shutter speed can extend the time the film is exposed to light. This can allow external noise sources, such as ambient light or electromagnetic interference, to disturb your image by introducing unwanted variations in film density.
© Bridge in Paris, Gwendoline Brechot
IN SUMMARY ⚡️
Noise in photography quite an art to find the right balance between ISO, aperture, and shutter speed!
If you play with high ISOs, struggle with your aperture, or if your shutter speed is off, it can create a mess in your photos/videos. We’re talking about noise, and not the kind you make at a party!
Good to know: if you’re about to capture a fleeting moment and maybe didn’t even have time to properly adjust these variables, that’s where our solution can come to the rescue 
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SEE YOU ⚡️
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