Noise Reduction the Open Source way

What are your options when you don’t run Windows or Mac and/or don’t want to use proprietary software?
Niklas Saers covers some of the options in this blog post. Thanks to him, I learned about ISO Noise Reduction, a GIMP plugin, which I’ll give a try tomorrow.
I usually use DCAM Noise, or selective blur to remove offending pixels but that can leave awful looking smooth areas next to unsightly pixels.

Black & White Recipes

Here’s a long list of channel mixer settings to emulate various black & white films. I used the high contrast setting for the photo below but the different types of film create interesting effects.

It’s worth checking them out, but don’t get hung up on them – one setting will suit one particular type of shot while another will suit others.

Get your camera books here!

Ted Leung offers advice on what camera books to buy. I’ve read two of them, both books by Bryan Peterson:

I have to echo Ted’s sentiments. “Understanding Exposure” was an eye opener for me, but “Learning to see Creatively” taught me that lying down on the job can get some interesting shots! He recommends a few other books too which I may look into.

What photography books do you recommend?

Canon 5D Gotcha?

Michael Tapes has found what could be a major problem for advanced users of the new Canon 5D. It has a “custom settings” function that records a set of parameters such as aperture and EV so they’re available with the flick of a switch.
The problem occurs when you’re shooting in custom mode but change the settings. The new settings aren’t saved unless you explicitly tell the camera to, but if your camera powers off because of power saving (that’s quite possible, it turns on almost instantly, you’d hardly notice!) your settings will revert to the custom setting again.
I think it could be something that photographers will get used to. This “bug” will either discourage them from changing settings in custom mode, or discourage use of custom mode altogether!
How to fix it? While in Custom settings mode:

  • Don’t let users change settings.
  • Save any changed settings.
  • As soon as a user changes settings exit custom settings mode.

I think exiting custom settings mode is probably the safest way of resolving this. What do you think?
More on this “flaw” on the photo.net forum where actual users of the 5D got a chance to air their grievences with Luminous Landscape or Canon! 🙂

Why DSLRs trump Digicams

Or to put it more clearly, why entry level digital SLRs are better than their similarly priced competition in the bridge camera range.
As usual, Paul writes very well on a topic that will probably have many people juggling with choices this Christmas: buy a DSLR or an SLR look-a-like digital camera.
I have to say, I think I have the best of both worlds, in my Panasonic FZ5 I have a small camera that fits neatly into one hand, can be sneaked into concerts, is light enough that I can bring it everywhere and is perfect for taking photos for web publication. My Canon 20D is a bigger beast but nonetheless is never at home but rarely goes into a pub or anywhere dangerous! (Well, almost never!)

Go read his article if you’re contemplating a purchase.

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