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Original Image
Camera Image Colorful 3-D representation of the camera's image The image above has a sufficiently high SNR to clearly separate the image information from background noise. A low SNR would produce an image where the "signal" and noise are more comparable and thus harder to discern from one another.
Camera Image
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TYPES OF NOISE
Digital cameras produce three common types of noise: random noise, "fixed pattern" noise, and banding noise. The three qualitative examples below show pronounced and isolating cases for each type of noise against an ordinarily smooth grey background.
Banding Noise Susceptible Camera Brightened Shadows Random noise is characterized by intensity and color fluctuations above and below the actual image intensity. There will always be some random noise at any exposure length and it is most influenced by ISO speed. The pattern of random noise changes even if the exposure settings are identical. Fixed pattern noise includes what are called "hot pixels," which are defined as such when a pixel's intensity far surpasses that of the ambient random noise fluctuations. Fixed pattern noise generally appears
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in very long exposures and is exacerbated by higher temperatures. Fixed pattern noise is unique in that it will show almost the same distribution of hot pixels if taken under the same conditions (temperature, length of exposure, ISO speed). Banding noise is highly camera-dependent, and is noise which is introduced by the camera when it reads data from the digital sensor. Banding noise is most visible at high ISO speeds and in the shadows, or when an image has been excessively brightened. Banding noise can also increase for certain white balances, depending on camera model. Although fixed pattern noise appears more objectionable, it is usually easier to remove since it is repeatable. A camera's internal electronics just has to know the pattern and it can subtract this noise away to reveal the true image. Fixed pattern noise is much less of a problem than random noise in the latest generation of digital cameras, however even the slightest amount can be more distracting than random noise. The less objectionable random noise is usually much more difficult to remove without degrading the image. Computers have a difficult time discerning random noise from fine texture patterns such as those occurring in dirt or foliage, so if you remove the random noise you often end up removing these textures as well. Programs such as Neat Image and Noise Ninja can be remarkably good at reducing noise while still retaining actual image information. Please also see my section on image averaging for another technique to reduce noise. Please continue to part 2: "Image Noise: Examples and Characteristics" Page #: 1 2 Want to learn more? Discuss this and other articles in our digital photography forums.
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