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Post by Peterj on May 17, 2019 16:16:31 GMT
Image stacking can be used for reducing noise and improving clarity. My test was shots: 22 images hand held (ISO 6400, 1/125 sec, f/2.8). Using PSE with Elements+ is the most straight forward method as there's no manual alignment or calculations involved - simply open image set and run the E+ script Using most layer based programs - open images set in layers, align layers, set opacity from bottom to top (100, 50, 33, 25, 20, 17, 14, 12, 11, 10 {assumes 10 images}), make a new stamped layer.
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Post by hmca on May 18, 2019 1:36:12 GMT
I just saw a similar technique recently, Pete. Was recommended for shooting indoors under poor lighting conditions. Will have to see if I can find it again. I don't think it included adjusting the opacity of the different layers.
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Post by srmoment on May 18, 2019 4:10:47 GMT
WHOA! This is impressive. I'm going to have to try this!
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Post by Bailey on May 18, 2019 6:01:01 GMT
An interesting comparison would be to compare the output from the Elements+ Noise Stacking Script to the noise reduction that can be achieved with something like Adobe Camera Raw. In my experience the ACR noise reduction usually does an amazing job. I might have to fiddle with the various sliders a bit though. Also, image stacking to reduce noise is most appropriate for scenes without moving elements - traffic, people for instance. If you have moving elements you will need to mask out those elements after running the script and use one of the original noisy images in their place. Then you will have to remove the noise from the revealed elements using another noise reduction method. Your thread title has a very wide scope of uses for high ISO. Another use of high ISO is to allow setting a very fast shutter speed to freeze motion when a small aperture (high f number) is required. High ISO in strong light (daylight) should not introduce any noise, or very little at most, depending on the size and quality of the camera's sensor.
High ISO can also be use to extend the reach of the light emitted by a flash gun as well as lighting up the background a bit when flash is used to photograph a subject reasonably close to the camera relative to the background.
So, the bottom line here is essentially the thread's title - "Don't shy away from using high ISO". The concept has many different appropriate applications.
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Post by hmca on May 18, 2019 16:32:46 GMT
I was able to locate the video I watched. It was posted on the LensWork site where I have a paid subscription. For that reason I am not sharing the video but have written down the basic steps. To try this process you would need PS as I don't think this could be done in PE. But perhaps I'm wrong about that or someone might know a work around. Here are the basic steps which I've tried to condense to make them easy to follow should anyone be interested: 1. Using a high ISO with the slowest shutter speed that you can use handheld , take 10 (or more) shots being careful to try not to move your camera or change your focus. 2. Select all ten images and open as layers in photoshop. 3. They are not all perfectly aligned so select all 10 layers and go to edit > auto-align. 4. Crop to clean up edges. 5. Turn all layers into smart objects. 6. With all layers selected go to Layer > smart object > stack mode > mean. Here is a screen shot of the before and after of one of the images he demonstrated:  Interestingly Bailey, his image was taken at a museum in China. And of course he pointed out that this technique would only be useful for still objects and in a situation where tripods weren't allowed. He explains that while each image captures a finite amount of light by increasing the number of images taken and stacking you are getting a sum of the total. So for 1 image captured at 3200, 2 would be equivalent to ISO 1600, 4 would be equivalent to ISO 800 and 8 would be equivalent to ISO 400. He goes on to say that there is noting to stop you from then doing further NR in whatever program you choose and apply sharpening. I have not tried this but was reminded of it by Peter's post. Just thought I would add a slightly different approach. |
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Post by Peterj on May 18, 2019 23:03:57 GMT
I was able to locate the video I watched. It was posted on the LensWork site where I have a paid subscription. For that reason I am not sharing the video but have written down the basic steps. To try this process you would need PS as I don't think this could be done in PE. But perhaps I'm wrong about that or someone might know a work around. Here are the basic steps which I've tried to condense to make them easy to follow should anyone be interested: 1. Using a high ISO with the slowest shutter speed that you can use handheld , take 10 (or more) shots being careful to try not to move your camera or change your focus. 2. Select all ten images and open as layers in photoshop. 3. They are not all perfectly aligned so select all 10 layers and go to edit > auto-align. 4. Crop to clean up edges. 5. Turn all layers into smart objects. 6. With all layers selected go to Layer > smart object > stack mode > mean.
<SNIP>Straight PE cannot do this however steps 3-6 is essentially what Elements+ add on is doing under the covers.
I believe changing the opacity using On1 or other layer editing software is a method of achieving #6
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Post by hmca on May 19, 2019 0:39:04 GMT
I believe changing the opacity using On1 or other layer editing software is a method of achieving #6 I have no idea, Pete. I leave all that technical stuff to those in the know although it would certainly seem that way. |
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Post by Bailey on May 19, 2019 4:58:46 GMT
... To try this process you would need PS as I don't think this could be done in PE. But perhaps I'm wrong about that or someone might know a work around. Elements+ has a script to remove noise via stacking layers. Information and a video tutorial can be found at elementsplus.net/help/en/noise-stacking.htm |
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Post by hmca on May 19, 2019 12:52:19 GMT
Yes, Pete pointed out that this could be done with Elements+ in his original post. The link to the video may be helpful to members who are not familiar with that plug-in.
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Post by Bailey on May 19, 2019 13:11:25 GMT
Peter didn't mention the name of the script though.
I thought I may as well post the script name and its E+ Help page, which also contains a video tutorial for the script, to make it easier to find for visitors who are not familiar with Elements+ and its scripts.
I'm not sure what method the script uses to average out the layers. Maybe Andrei Doubrovski might drop by to explain how the script removes noise.
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Post by Peterj on May 19, 2019 17:45:27 GMT
Peter didn't mention the name of the script though.
I thought I may as well post the script name and its E+ Help page, which also contains a video tutorial for the script, to make it easier to find for visitors who are not familiar with Elements+ and its scripts.
I'm not sure what method the script uses to average out the layers. Maybe Andrei Doubrovski might drop by to explain how the script removes noise.
After one installs Elements+ the script is accessed from: >PE file menu
>Automation Tools >e+ Scripts>Noise Stacking
This script is the easiest method for reducing noise using this method.
I don't have Elements XXL; but I suspect that median stacking & auto align are available.
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Post by Bailey on May 19, 2019 22:36:26 GMT
E+ scripts can also be accessed from the PSE Effects Panel.
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