Rob Trek Forum

High resolution for high ISOs

On the facebook pages, I keep getting asked about using Hires for low light photos. In fact this is the most asked question I get and have explained it in many facebook groups. So, I thought I would write it here as others may not need some low light techniques. This is when shooting at ISO 6400 although of course it works at lower ISOs. Also, this can be used with any lens as we are shooting to lower noise.

Part I: High resolution image

If your camera takes handheld high resolution images take a high res image. 60fps is best for this if your camera does it. Use the ISO you needed to 6400 and as much positive compensation as you can without blowing highlights. If the shot only needs 3200, then set it manually so the ETTR (plus compensation) does not increase the ISO. Go to part II. If not read the rest of this. This works well with the EM10 series cameras that do not have hires.

Take a series of images handheld using the burst mode. This is critical, it has to be hand held. Process one lightly (highlights, shadow mainly to have all the information). Do not worry about noise. Then apply that to all the other photos. Then Edit>Open as layers in photoshop.

In photoshop resize X2. (just type *2 at the end of the of the width or height in the resize) using Preserve Details 2.0 (I turned it on when it was beta and it was Preserve Details (2). I see it says 2.0 now so it may not need turned on any more). Or sometimes Nearest Neighbor (hard edges) works better.

Then Align Layers Auto. Do NOT check the boxes below. Discard any layer that does not align. I like to have at least 8 layers. Next go to Layer>Smart Objects>Stack Mode>Median. This is hardware dependent on how long it takes and also how many photos. I usually keep it 8 to 20. When it is done, you have a high resolution photo of 80mp. The more layers, the longer it takes. Also the more it lowers noise.

Part II: High resolution for high ISOs

High resolution photos usually require sharpening. However most people do not not need high resolution for their intended out. At this point you have either an 80mp or 50mp image. If it is the raw from camera and not one you did by step 1, raise the shadows and recover any highlights first. Resize it(80mp just use /2 in the width or height line) to 20mp. Just doing this, you now have a low noise sharp 20mp image to work with. The in camera (or photoshop) stacking has gotten rid of most of the noise. 6400 now has the noise level of 400 to 800 (depends mostly on the dynamic range of the shot). This is how to get clean low light photos with a m43 lens. Shoot high resolution. Pull shadows as needed. Maybe sharpen some although it can get too sharp after resized. And resize to 20mp like all of your other photos. And this is why handheld high resolution is great for even those who do not need the resolution and have never used it.

Thanks for sharing this technique. I noticed a nice drop in noise when using HH Hi-Res Shot. Here are two examples:

Glad it worked for you. They look good to me. I did not realize everyone did not know this until I mentioned why I want handheld hires someday when I get my lens built up. And no one knew what I was talking about. Sure is easier than the way I have to do it Sometimes I do not realize things I have been doing for years are not known by everyone. Sunday afternoon, I was training someone in Photoshop who has used it for awhile and they had no idea how to do instant dodge and burn without all that time with brush. If I can ever get DaVinci to get the audio from OBS, I think I you tube some of the stuff I do. BTW, since HHHR only uses 16, if you ever need less noise, shoot 2 and stack them in PS to gain another stop.