pics taken in dim or no light get rough...pixelated kind of...can u suggest a way to smoothen them?

Question

I use Canon Powershot 530.
The lighting conditions which i desired are achieved, but the pictures in dark are rough and pixelated in black areas...need to smoothen them. Any photoshop therapy???

Even Google Picasa related solutions would do...

Answer 1

What you're describing is image noise from using a high ISO setting. This always affects the dark areas of pictures most. Jeff's quick & dirty solution should provide acceptable results (depending on how critical you are).
If you're using Photoshop, consider spending a few dollars on a dedicated plug-in to deal with it more effectively and efficiently. Noise Ninja and Neat Image are both very good - both can be used either as a stand alone program or as a plug-in for Photoshop. Visit their websites to see what they do and perhaps download a demo version first.
I personally use Noise Ninja with Photoshop CS.
Noise Ninja: http://www.picturecode.com/
Neat Image: http://www.neatimage.com/

Answer 2

Well as far as taking better pictures, it all depends onthe camera.

But if you're wanting to edit the pictures you've already taken, there's a fairly simple way.

Open up in photoshop
Once the photo's open,
click on FILTER
Go to the NOISE sub item
then click on DESPECKLE

Do that a few times until it looks better.
There's more you can do, but it's a bit too advanced to try and list here.
Good luck!

Answer 3

The only thing I can suggest is use the Blur effect at 5%. This will smoot the entire picture but not so much that it will look wierd.

Answer 4

Try photoshop's image transformation package and filters.