Home › Forums › Photography Q&A › Something's wrong with my lens (I think) :D › Reply To: Something's wrong with my lens (I think) :D

@kina
Don’t freak out—we’ll get to the bottom of this one way or another 🙂
The only thing that bothers me is that I’ve seen photos taken with even worse quality cameras than I have in similar light conditions that turned out crisp and non-grainy even when unedited. So I know that it’s possible, and that I should be able to get better pictures! And they were that grainy even when ISO was really low?? I really think something’s wrong with my lens
Kina, maybe the problem is related to your lens… but I don’t think it is (I could be wrong, as I’ve never even seen your lens!). But lenses don’t generally make things grainy… they can flatten colors, add ugly pink fringes, and have soft or distorted corners… but grain isn’t something that lenses typically add to images (unless you blew flour all over the front element).
I think the problem lies in how your camera—your technology—is trying work with the light given to it through the lens. I think the other problem lies in it being underexposed, which is related to your technique, as you’re working Manual (good for you, btw! I only just started!).
A couple of things about noise… (wow, I like numbered lists!)
1. High ISO = more noise
You know this rule, and you are right! High ISOs WILL bring more noise in an image.
But here’s noise rule number two
2. Noise loves to hang out in the dark places.
Unless the image is naturally dark (like your sister hiding in a broom closet), don’t be scared of raising ISO to properly expose the image. If it’s dark, it will be noisy. This can be remedied with noise reduction in post-processing.
3. Noise loves RAW files!
RAW files straight out of the camera are noisier than JPEGs straight out of the camera, because the camera does some of the processing and puts a little noise reduction on if you shoot JPEG. If you shoot RAW, you’ll have a noisier image because the camera hasn’t done any editing for you. However, when YOU edit the image in Photos, you can add the perfect amount of noise reduction (and, with a little practice, you’ll make smarter choices than what your camera would have chose). Use the noise reduction filter in the edit menu.
Try shooting RAW+JPEG for a while too, so you can compare your edits with that of your cameras (but a word of advice—don’t import the JPEGs and RAWs together in Apple Photos).
4. Noise is natural. Don’t let it get you down. Embrace it and focus on composition.
I was watching a lens review video, and the guy who was shooting it had a really good point. Nobody walks up to an image in a gallery and says “I love this image because… it’s so sharp! even in the corners!” (https://youtu.be/mQSuexEQcgM). In the same way, no one walks up to an image and says “I love this image because it’s not noisy!” Composition is key, and a little noise won’t kill an image with great technique and great composition. A lot of noise, maybe—but a little noise isn’t something to worry too much about.
As far as White Balance adjusting is concerned, yes! That’s mainly how we get rid of the ugly yellow! And that’s an easy half the battle on getting a great shot.
This sounds so amateur, but… it’s not a setting on the camera, right?? Is it kind of like exposure? Or is it a computer editing setting?? If it’s a setting on the camera, (or a combination…) how would I adjust it? How would I know what a good White Balance is?
White Balance is one of the few settings on both the camera and the editor! I can change mine on my Canon 60D by going into the menus, or by pushing the button that says Q for quick menu and navigating to the white balance setting (which for you should say AWB as it’s the default setting). Different types of lights have different shades of color (halogen or incandescent bulbs are more yellowy, while fluorescent light is more blue. Daylight is somewhat in the middle). You want to pick a white balance that corresponds with the type of lights you’re shooting under. If you’re under clouds, put it on cloudy. If you’re under fluorescent tubes, put it on fluorescent. I personally leave mine on Auto, as the camera gets it right ninety percent of the time.
Also, it’s one of the only settings that you retain full control over in a RAW file (you can’t change your shutter speed, aperture number, or ISO after the fact in Photos or any editor). If your camera misses the right white balance (or you leave the wrong preset on), you can take your RAW file into Photos, go into the Adjustment panel, and you can adjust your white balance with the color picker (put it on something ideally grey, but if that’s not available, white or black) or with the temp/tint sliders.
Persevere and keep on learning!
—@loganlamar