I frequently get asked how I deal with high-ISO noise, since many of the photos are taken at ISO settings over 400. The answer might be surprising … I usually don’t. Even though I own both Neat Image, and Noise Ninja, (both excellent pieces of noise reduction software), I rarely use them.

How noise appears depend a lot on what camera you use, whether you’ll notice noise at 800 ISO or 1600 ISO … and then more importantly you have to consider what size you’re going to print to. Also, the crucial thing is not to under-expose. That will definitely show up as a noisy image.

I have made 8×12 prints that I show potential clients, which include images shot at 1600 ISO without noise reduction software being used … and NO ONE has commented about the noise. If you looked at the prints, you would see the noise, but it isn’t intrusive. At larger sizes, it might be noticable, but not really at that size. (These photos were taken with the Canon 1D mk2N.)

The problem is only really a “problem” if you look at 100% on your computer .. but that isn’t what is going to appear in print. I suspect too many photographers get hung up on the noise issue, without considering what the use of the images will be. But the best way to check for yourself is to make a few prints.

Formal photos / portraits I seldom take higher than 400 ISO … but reception photos I easily go 800 ISO and higher, since they will rarely be printed larger than 4×6.