{"id":121584,"date":"2022-10-14T09:27:51","date_gmt":"2022-10-14T14:27:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=121584"},"modified":"2022-10-14T09:27:52","modified_gmt":"2022-10-14T14:27:52","slug":"when-is-digitial-noise-okay-filmmaking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/when-is-digitial-noise-okay-filmmaking\/","title":{"rendered":"The Noise Factor: When Is Digital Noise Okay in a Shot?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Digital noise is a dignified enemy for low-budget filmmakers and content creators. But when would it be okay to let a noisy shot slide?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let me first say that this article is not about to tell you to ditch all principles and capture noisy images \u2014 far from it. After all, a clean, beautiful image is a testament to the skill set of the DP and his crew (or a testament to how much money is available). Quite like overblown highlights, I feel like noise is something we learn to avoid at all costs, and any digital noise is the calling card of an amateur failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever a new camera is announced and the influx of digital camera influencers release their embargoed review, there is always a dedicated section for low-light performance. In it, we see ISO tests and how far you can push the newest sensor on the market before the introduction of noise. And often, if the tests aren’t great, you won’t see the camera being held by your favorite creator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, sometimes, you may be watching a TV show and see these issues slip into a shot \u2014 a fully financed, professional production airing visual problems that would have caused you to think twice about uploading to YouTube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I recently watched American Gods<\/em><\/a> Season 2 (it’s just not the same without Bryan Fuller steering the ship), and something instantly caught my attention in this scene from Episode 2. Hot on the trail of Laura’s abducted husband, Laura and Mad Sweeney quite literally come to the end of a road, and their pursuit is halted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
Image via Starz!.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The two characters, defeated and tired, sit in the field of flowers, pondering their next move. It looks like they were filming on an overcast day, and I have to wonder if the filmmakers captured the dialogue shots with available light. Mad Sweeney’s shot is relatively clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
Image via Starz!.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, when we cut to Laura, we see an apparent increase in digital noise. While the 755×400 image underneath may not highlight the extent of the noise, when you’re watching, it’s instantly noticeable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
Image via Starz!.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If this shot showcased a new camera, the comment section would’ve been rife with criticism at how much noise there is in low light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
Image via Starz!.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Yet, it’s completely fine in this circumstance. And I would wager (as I point out toward the end) the general audience wouldn’t even notice. As such, I think it’s worth taking a cue from esteemed editor Walter Murch<\/a> and his Rule of Six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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