Brooks Jensen Arts - Every Picture Is a Compromise

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Every Picture is a Compromise
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Every Picture Is a Compromise

Lessons from the Also-rans

Most photography websites show the photographer's very best work. Wonderful. But that's not the full story of a creative life. If we want to learn, we'd better pay attention to the images that aren't "greatest hits" and see what lessons they have to offer. Every picture is a compromise — the sum of its parts, optical, technical, visual, emotional, and even cosmic – well, maybe not cosmic, but sometimes spiritual. Success on all fronts is rare. It's ok to learn from those that are not our best.

This is a series about my also-rans, some of which I've been able to improve at bit (i.e., "best effort"), none of which I would consider my best. With each there are lessons worth sharing, so I will.

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Original digital capture

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The Miracles of Technology Week
the new Enhanced DeNoise

I've said for years that this is the best time in the history of photography to be a photographer. This week, I'll share five disastrous "failures" that were rescued by the miracles of software.

What I saw that I liked:

Dark areas are expecially a problem with my m4/3 camera and it's small sensor. Nonetheless, I love photographing in dark areas like this one.

What I don't like in the picture:

Noise is a constant concern. With my cameras, I've only used ISO 3200 in extreme situations. Until, that is, Adobe introduce the new Enhances DeNoise tool. All I can say is, WOW, WOW, WOW.

What I learned:

This image was shot at ISO 6400. Enhanced Denoise resolved any issues I have with noise in my images. The camera I used for this shot (Panasonic GX8) tops out at ISO 25,600, but I'd never consider using that. Not for anything serious. Until now. I won't hesitate to use ISO 6400, I'll use 12,800 with some confidence, and higher than that I would consider an experiment. I won't be surprised, however, if DeNoise makes those image useable. For an old film guy that shot ASA 25 film at a working ASA of 8, this is beyond a miracle.

2nd Chances: What I might try next

Enhanced DeNoise can be applied with various levels of aggressivness. I need to play around with this to see what the limits are. As is, the default is so good I simply can't believe my eyes.