processing under exposed pic from raw in LR

Eddie1

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Ed
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I have an underexposed file from a canon 1dx that i'm trying to process in LR but i'm getting a lot of noise appearing in the skin tones,
can anyone advise me ways in LR to reduce this and get a better pic or will I get a better result using photoshops raw converter ?
thanks
 
I have an underexposed file from a canon 1dx that i'm trying to process in LR but i'm getting a lot of noise appearing in the skin tones,
can anyone advise me ways in LR to reduce this and get a better pic or will I get a better result using photoshops raw converter ?
thanks
lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw use exactly the same processing engine so they will both give the same results. Providing they are both from the same iteration e.g Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC.

There is only so far you can go with an underexposed image but you may want to try an alternative noise reduction plugin - the NIK collection Define is a good example and very easy to use with good results.
 
As far as I am aware, Camera Raw and Lightroom are essentially the same software under the bonnet, with Lightroom just offering a friendlier UI, so I don't see using Camera Raw as offering any particular advantage.
 

No chance Ed!
Underexposed means that some pixels contain no information: 0 red, 0 green, 0 blue
and 0 density. So no software can produce info where none is… and this is the beginning
of noise generation by your software, any software. Even my pro RAW converter can't do
any magic at this point.
Noise reduction strategies will only bring a serious loss in details and sharpness…
No chance Ed in PP, but it is all avoidable prior to shutter release.
 
Depending on how bad it is you might try something like noisewere pro (my noise reduction software of choice) but theres noise and NOISE so there are limits. Many people suggest after running noise reduction software putting some noise back in, I know it sounds daft but it often makes an image look more normal and not so "smoothed out".
 
thanks all, will try to get ir right in camera next time
 
DXO Optics Pro elite version has a special noise reduction algorithm that can make an amazing difference, but it is not cheap. How desperate are you to recover this image?
 
Also consider B&W conversions - you've a lot of options if you really want to recover the shot if it is important, and there's a change you're being over critical too. What size will it be used at and for what audience etc.

You could always post the image here if you wanted someone to try with some of the more exotic software!
 
I have an underexposed file from a canon 1dx that i'm trying to process in LR but i'm getting a lot of noise appearing in the skin tones,
can anyone advise me ways in LR to reduce this and get a better pic or will I get a better result using photoshops raw converter ?
thanks


Can you reshoot? Was the subject someone you can photograph again? If so... reshoot, get the exposure right. If not, use this as a reminder that you need to practice/check your camera settings - whichever s appropriate.

A severely under exposed image will be noisy when recovered. Just a fact of digital life.
 
Can you put the pic up on here? People will enjoy having a play, and you never know...
 
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