Why are my images doing this?

[MissCream]

I'm not sure if its my camera but all of the blacks/dark areas in my pictures have this weird look to them. This picture was shot at 400 iso (forgot to change it) and I had a strobe camera right although I don't think that really matters... 400 iso shouldn't be this noisy. This is a 100% crop.

 

[syphlix]

whats wrong with it?

 

[syphlix]

btw usually images have no reason to be viewed at 100%

 

[nonamexx]

What is the camera model?

 

[MissCream]

Its a Pentax K20d

I don't know how to describe whats wrong with it.. It has weird highlights almost like I sharpened it too much. I know images don't have to be 100% but I thought it would be easier to see...

 

[MissCream]

Here is another crop to get a better idea of what I'm referring to. It has motion blur but thats not what I'm talking about. EXIF data is 1/180 f16 iso 400

 

[smlblk396]

It looks like pixels from blowing it up too much.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

I'm not sure if its my camera but all of the blacks/dark areas in my pictures have this weird look to them. This picture was shot at 400 iso (forgot to change it) and I had a strobe camera right although I don't think that really matters... 400 iso shouldn't be this noisy. This is a 100% crop.

Regardless of ISO, there will always be noise in the shadows. That's where your camera is getting the least amount of signal. I have a D700 and even it's got noise in the shadows at ISO 400, let alone a k20D, which was never a star when it comes to noise.

 

[MissCream]

It looks like pixels from blowing it up too much.

No, thats not it.. here is the original. See how her nose looks almost cartoonish, there is no detail and seems to have a really grey tint..

 

[smlblk396]

Looks fine on my screen.

 

[MissCream]

To me it just looks really flat and noisy with grey highlights.. Its happening to all my pictures that have black in them. I dont know how to fix it and I hope its not my camera

 

[NikWilliamson]

Adjust your levels in photoshop, or maybe adjust the contrast in your camera if you can? I think that is what you're looking for.

 

[Ron Evers]

Looks under exposed to me.

 

[Robin Usagani]

were you using JPEG? On camera noise reduction?

 

[Dao]

It looks like pixels from blowing it up too much.

No, thats not it.. here is the original. See how her nose looks almost cartoonish, there is no detail and seems to have a really grey tint..

The photo seems to be underexposed. Popular exposed image should have less noise.

Besides, according to the exif

Camera Maker: PENTAX
Camera Model: PENTAX K20D
Lens: smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II
Image Date: 2010-12-27 02:20:46 -0400
Focal Length: 37.5mm (35mm equivalent: 57mm)
Aperture: f/16.0
Exposure Time: 0.0056 s (1/180)
ISO equiv: 400
Exposure Bias: +1.00 EV
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (Manual)


I will shoot it with a wider aperture instead of f/16. In that case, you can lower your ISO. i.e. f/8 with ISO200. Or maybe even f/5.6 with ISO200 and keep the same shutter speed.