Earlier this week I talked about various ways to decrease noise in your images. While preventing and removing noise is something we typically do like to address in our work flow – there is also the flip side where noise or grain can enhance the quality of a print. All one has to look at for examples where noise can have an impact is in black and white photography. Grain gives an added sense of detail to black and white photos. The same can also be said for sepia-toned photos, those with a slightly yellowish, an “old-fashioned”, or “antique” look to them.
To give you an idea of how images can benefit from noise, take a look at the following two shots. First the color:
And how the black and white:
See how the grain from the image really accentuates his facial features? That’s one way in which noise/grain can enhance an image.
So, what about noise in your images? Do you like it or not? Got ideas for how noise can enhance your creativity? Sound off in the comments! Until tomorrow, happy shooting, and as always, keep watching those apertures!
Noise VS Grain — I liked the triX grain look of some of the stuff I shot in the early ninties – I do find that when I am being creative with a image I may try to emulate grain for effect.
I’ve heard some good things about this blog. Remember to balance the pics with the text tho. cheers!
Just found your Blog now. I like!!
Great thoughts on noise in images. I do a lot of Wildlife Photography and whenlooking for a really moody black and white image the noise works and adds to the whole scene beautifully!!
Anyway… my 2 cents worth!
Will visit again!!