What is Noise in Photography | Detailed Guide

Published by Color Experts International May 6, 2025

What is Noise in Photography?

Noise in photography refers to distracting specks or grain that degrade image quality. It’s most noticeable in dark areas and low-light shots, where it reduces image sharpness.

Noise is equivalent to radio or TV static, which disrupts sound or video quality and creates a cluttered appearance in photography.

There are two main types of noise:

Luminance Noise: This looks like grain or texture. It mainly affects how bright pixels appear.
Color Noise (Chrominance Noise): This shows as red, green, blue, or purple dots scattered in the image.

All cameras produce some noise, but the amount varies. High ISOs, low light, small sensors, and long exposures can increase noise.

Types of Noise in Photography

Noise looks different. When you zoom in, you see unwanted patterns or colors. There are two main types to know.

1. Luminance Noise (Grainy Texture)

Luminance noise adds a gritty texture to an image, altering its brightness without affecting colors. It’s like film grain and suits artsy or black-and-white photos.

Where you’ll see it: You’ll usually notice it in shadow areas, skies, or flat backgrounds where texture is not expected.

2. Chrominance Noise (Color Specks)

Color noise, also known as chrominance noise, appears as small, random spots in red, green, blue, or purple. These dots tend to be more distracting than luminance noise and can give a photo a cluttered or artificial appearance.

Where you’ll see it: You’ll usually spot it in underexposed areas or photos taken in very low light with a high ISO setting.

What Causes Noise in Photos?

Noise in photography doesn’t occur by chance. It often comes from your shooting method or the environment. By understanding the causes, you can better keep your images clean and sharp.

Here are the most common causes of noise in photos:

1. High ISO Settings

Raising your camera’s ISO makes it more light-sensitive. It helps in dark situations, but adds noise and grain to your image.

Tip: Always try to use the lowest ISO setting you can while still getting the right exposure.

2. Low Light Conditions

Low light is tough on your camera. It tries to pick up more detail in dark spots, which usually appear as noise, especially in the shadows.

Tip: Use external lighting or longer exposures when possible to reduce the need for high ISO.

3. Small Camera Sensors

Smaller camera sensors, like those in smartphones or budget cameras, create more noise in low light. They have less area to gather light, making them struggle in tough conditions.

Tip: If image quality is important to you, consider using a camera with a larger sensor.

4. Long Exposure Times

When your shutter stays open too long, like in night or astrophotography, noise can build up. This usually happens because the camera sensor generates heat over time.

Tip: Use long exposure noise reduction features, or cool down your camera between shots if needed.

5. Underexposure and Heavy Editing

If your photo is too dark and you brighten it, you might see noise that was hidden. Editing software uncovers details in shadows, but it can also show flaws like noise.

Tip: Get your exposure as close to perfect in-camera to reduce the need for extreme edits later.

How to Detect Noise in Your Images

Noise can be hard to spot at first, especially on small screens or low resolutions. But once you edit or zoom in, it becomes clear. Learn to spot noise early to fix it before it ruins your image.

Here’s how to detect noise in your photos effectively:

1. Zoom In to 100% or More

When you review your photos on a computer, zoom in to 100% or more. This shows you the fine details. Check the shadow areas, flat backgrounds like skies or walls, and dark corners. Noise often hides in these spots.

2. Check the Shadow Areas

Noise loves shadows. If you see grainy texture or strange colors creeping into the dark parts of your image, that’s a clear sign. Chrominance noise often shows up here as tiny colored specks.

3. Look at the Image While Editing

When you adjust exposure, brightness, or contrast in editing software, noise can become more noticeable. Boosting shadows or pulling details from dark areas may reveal luminance and color noise.

4. Use Dedicated Tools to Highlight Noise

Apps like Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or Capture One have tools and sliders to reduce noise, and those tools work best when you’ve spotted the noise clearly. Many programs let you toggle a preview of noise reduction so you can compare the “before” and “after.”

5. Examine Skin Tones and Backgrounds

In portraits, noise can disrupt skin tones. It creates patchy or unnatural textures. In landscape or product photography, it can dirty clean areas like skies or white backgrounds. These are the spots where noise is most noticeable.

How to Reduce Noise While Shooting

Minimize noise by avoiding it upfront. Use smart techniques while shooting to reduce it, especially in low light. Here are proven ways to reduce noise while you’re taking photos:

1. Use the Lowest ISO Possible

ISO controls how sensitive your camera is to light. A high ISO boosts brightness but also adds more noise. Whenever possible, shoot at the lowest ISO your lighting allows—usually ISO 100 or 200 for the cleanest results.

2. Add More Light to the Scene

Using natural light, flash, or studio lights, more light cuts down on high ISO. Bright scenes create cleaner images with less noise. So, feel free to bounce light off a wall or use a reflector for better lighting.

3. Use a Tripod for Long Exposures

Instead of raising your ISO to brighten a photo, use a longer shutter speed—especially in low light. A tripod helps keep the camera stable, allowing you to shoot with a slower shutter without motion blur.

4. Expose Properly in-Camera

Try to get your exposure right when taking the photo. If you underexpose and brighten the image later during editing, you’ll likely introduce more noise. Slightly overexposing (without clipping highlights) often results in cleaner shadows.

5. Shoot in RAW Format

RAW files hold more data than JPEGs. This gives you better control when editing. They preserve details in shadows and highlights. This helps reduce noise more effectively during post-processing.

6. Avoid Digital Zoom

Digital zoom doesn’t truly bring you closer. It crops the image, which can make noise more visible. Instead, use optical zoom or move closer to your subject when you can.

7. Use Cameras with Larger Sensors

If you want good noise control, think about a camera with a larger sensor, like APS-C or full-frame. These cameras work better in low light and give cleaner images at higher ISO settings.

How to Fix Noise in Post-Processing

Even in ideal camera settings, noise can occur, especially in low light or high ISO. Post-processing helps, reducing noise while maintaining sharp, clean images. Here’s how to fix noise during the editing stage without destroying the quality of your photo:

1. Use Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw

Both tools have strong noise reduction sliders in the Detail panel. You’ll see two main sliders:

Luminance: This slider cuts down grain or rough texture.
Color: This one removes colorful speckles, known as chrominance noise.

Start slow. Move the sliders a little at a time until the noise fades. But don’t overdo it—too much reduction can make your image look soft or waxy.

2. Try Photoshop’s “Reduce Noise” Filter

Photoshop offers more control with Filter > Noise > Reduce Noise. You can adjust:

Strength
Preserve Details
Reduce Color Noise
Sharpen Details

Adjust each setting while zoomed in. This helps you balance noise reduction and a natural look.

3. Use AI Noise Reduction Tools

Apps like Topaz DeNoise AI, ON1 NoNoise AI, and DxO PureRAW use AI to reduce noise more accurately. They work well for high ISO images and low-light shots. These tools preserve detail that traditional sliders may blur.

4. Focus Noise Reduction on the Shadows

Most noise appears in darker areas. When using masking tools, like in Lightroom, apply noise reduction only to shadows or backgrounds. This keeps important details, such as skin, eyes, or product textures—sharp.

5. Zoom In and Compare Before & After

Always check your edits at 100% zoom. This helps you see any lost detail. Compare your results to the original. Make sure you’re improving the photo, not over-smoothing it.

6. Combine with Sharpening

After reducing noise, your image might appear soft. Add some sharpening to restore clarity, but be gentle. Over-sharpening can cause noise or halos to return.

When Noise Can Be Artistic

A little grain can add character and emotion to photos. Some photographers add it on purpose to create a certain mood. Here’s how noise (or grain) can actually enhance your creative work:

1. It Creates a Film-Like Look

Before digital cameras, film grain was a natural part of photography. It added texture and a real-world vibe to images. Today, photographers use noise or add simulated grain to capture that timeless look and give modern photos a vintage feel.

2. It Adds Grit and Emotion

In genres like documentary, street, or war photography, a bit of grain can enhance storytelling. It gives photos a raw, honest feel. Grain can also add urgency, tension, or emotion—qualities that a smooth photo may miss.

3. It Enhances Mood in Low Light Shots

Night photography or moody portraits can benefit from visible grain. Instead of battling noise, embrace it. Let it blend with shadows and highlights for a dramatic effect.

4. It Can Be a Powerful Artistic Choice

Photographers like Daido Moriyama and Trent Parke embrace grain in their style. They use high ISO film or intentionally underexpose their shots. This creates gritty, raw images that capture the world in an intense and real way.

5. Intentional Noise vs. Technical Noise

Creative grain and accidental noise are not the same. The key is control. If the noise enhances the image’s mood and message, it’s a tool. If it distracts or harms detail, it may need to be reduced.

Common Myths About Noise in Photography

Many photographers believe false things about noise in photography due to outdated advice and online confusion. Let’s break down the most common myths.

Myth 1: “You should always avoid noise at all costs.”

Truth: Noise can be a problem for image quality, but a little bit usually isn’t a big deal. In some styles of photography, like street or black-and-white, some grain can actually add atmosphere and depth. Not every photo has to be pristine.

Myth 2: “RAW images have more noise than JPEGs.”

Truth: RAW files capture more of what the camera sees, including noise. JPEGs reduce noise but discard detail. RAW gives you the flexibility to clean up noise without losing image quality.

Myth 3: “High ISO always ruins your photo.”

Truth: Newer cameras handle high ISO settings better. You can safely shoot at ISO 1600, 3200, or 6400 and get usable shots if you expose them right.

Myth 4: “Noise only happens in dark photos.”

Truth: Noise shows up more in shadows or low light. However, it can also appear in bright areas if the exposure is wrong or the sensor has issues. Noise relates to signal quality, not just darkness.

Myth 5: “All noise is bad and should be removed.”

Truth: Removing all noise can make your image look soft or fake. The goal is to balance noise reduction with detail. Sometimes, it’s better to keep some texture in the photo than to blur it into a plastic mess.

Myth 6: “Expensive cameras don’t produce noise.”

Truth: All cameras produce some noise, especially in tough conditions. Higher-end models often do better in low light, but no camera is ever completely noise-free.

To Conclude

Photographers always face noise. It appears in night shots, portraits, and RAW files. Managing noise makes a big difference. Use the right settings, good lighting, and smart editing to reduce noise. A little grain can add character, but sometimes it needs cleaning for a polished look.

Master noise to take better photos. Understand what it is, what causes it, and how to control it. This will give you cleaner, sharper, and more impactful images in any light. When you spot noise, use your skills to decide whether to reduce it or use it to tell a story.

FAQs About Noise in Photography

What is the difference between noise and grain in photography?

Noise is random specks of color or brightness from your camera sensor. Grain is a texture from film photography. Both can add style, but noise is usually unwanted.

How can I avoid noise in low light photography?

Use a tripod, lowest ISO, wide aperture, and slow shutter speed to reduce noise in low light.

Does using RAW or JPEG affect noise levels?

RAW files keep more detail and show noise, giving you more editing control. JPEG files reduce noise, but sacrifice fine details. For best results, use RAW.

What ISO should I use to avoid noise?

Use the lowest ISO possible, usually 100 or 200. But don’t hesitate to raise it if needed.

Can noise be completely removed from a photo?

Use editing tools like Lightroom, Photoshop, or Topaz DeNoise AI to reduce noise. The goal is to cut noise without making the image look soft or unnatural.

Does full-frame vs crop sensor make a difference in noise?

Full-frame sensors perform better in low light and produce less noise at higher ISO levels. They gather more light, ideal for night and indoor photography.

Is noise always bad in photography?

Noise adds mood and texture in styles like street, film-style, or black-and-white photography. It’s a problem when it distracts from the subject or reduces detail.