Today was about learning: there has been a lot of discussion on 365 recently about the use of high ISO so I thought I should try a couple of experiments. This was taken in the village this evening just after 10 pm when there wasn't a soul around... it's a small village!
This was taken at ISO3200, f/5.6 & 1/30 sec using a Sony NEX 6, a camera not renowned for its low-light performance. I limited the noise reduction in LR5 in order to retain some detail in the stonework: the image is acceptable in colour and quite reasonable in B&W where we are used to seeing grain in images. I could, of course have used a tripod and produced a noise free image, but that wasn't the point of the exercise.
What did I learn? In low light conditions, upping the ISO should be the final option after all other light gathering means have been exploited. I wanted to take this hand-held so reducing the shutter speed was not an option, but I could and should have swapped the kit-zoom for a fast prime lens which would have gained me 3 stops thus enabling me to reduce the ISO to 400 with a quantum leap in quality. I also learned that the practical upper limit for this camera is indeed ISO 3200 although I also took shots at 6400, 12800 & 25600 which I wouldn't hesitate to use if the importance of the subject outweighed quality considerations.
Finally, I learned that improvement comes through experimentation.
"I also learned that improvement comes through experimentation." This is the greatest lesson you have taught me. To move outside my comfort zone. So I hope I am your first fav on this wonderful picture.
interesting commentary on this - I don't like upping the ISO as my last P&S was awfully grainy at about ISO 400 so got into long exposures instead - but this camera is better at high ISO, I've had workable shots at 1600 ISO so some is learning cameras too
@joansmor Thank you Joan - Seneca the Younger (4BC - 65AD) said, "Docendo discimus" - through teaching we learn, so our mentoring relationship is of mutual benefit. You are indeed the first to comment and the first - and I would imagine, the only person - to Fav!
@vignouse I did it again -- wrote a comment and forgot to hit the post button. At least I remembered to hit the star! I think I said something along the lines of liking the atmosphere. It really wasn't meant to be a covert fav!
I know nothing of this high ISO stuff but I do like this shot. I don't like the signs on the bottom left but what are you to do? They pull my eye away from the intriguing blue light which should lead me to the end.
Interesting to see that one can always learn something new! I need to test the limits of my camera too someday. Now, I never hesitate to crank up the ISO. Maybe I should...
