The 4 things that will improve your Image Quality

Last update:- 23rd July 2024

Introduction.

Several social media presenters started 2024 listing new photography essentials. While having good intentions, it's always sad to see popular influencers making information mistakes.

This inspired me to discuss a new ISO technique plus the following Essentials:

1. "Focus" on the subject, and don't let the background or DR distract you.
2. Exposure Triangle - Replace "ISO Sensitivity" with "Image Brightness."
3. Ignore all "size and capture" theorists explaining image sensors/cameras.
4. Knowledge and experience are critical aspects of digital photography.

EM1 III w Lumix 35-100mm f2.8 - ISO200 (400), f8, 1/640. ISO400 plus ETTR (+1EV) gave me a +/-2EV brightness variation. See the article.

Imagine you are photographing blue hour or nighttime scenes, and it was possible to lower your image brightness just enough to reveal more detail in highlight areas like street lights, lamps, shop windows, and restaurants without affecting your image quality. How did I capture the images below? I used a new technique that controls the sensor separately from the ISO. That means I independently manage my sensor's performance (saturation level) from the ISO (image brightness).

Figure 1.

1. Focus on the subject, and don't let the background distract you

I am a keen follower of the Danish photographer Thorsten Overgaard. I like his work, enthusiasm for Leica cameras, and passion for photography. Thorsten introduced 4 new Essentials to improve your photography in 2024. Many presenters and photographers think the digital camera's ISO function is similar to film cameras. See Thorsten's video for more about focussing on the subject...

Your digital camera's ISO function does not change the sensor's sensitivity!

2. Remove ISO Sensitivity from the Exposure Triangle

The best way to think of the ISO function is to view it as an in-camera brightness slider. The image sensor and ISO amplifier are separate components. The sensor's sensitivity is measured and set at the factory. This is a once-off and permanent adjustment that prepares the image sensor for use with digital cameras. The ISO function simply amplifies the image signal from the sensor or pixel...

See this article for more information.

Why should the "Digital Exposure Triangle" be different? Because it should reflect what's happening inside the camera. This knowledge helps us to manage the sensor's performance separately from the ISO (image brightness). The full-frame "size and capture" theory plus "ISO sensitivity" limits us from focussing on the sensor's performance. For example, the "size and capture" theory and a lower DR at higher ISOs are incorrectly used to discourage photographers from using ETTR. 

This article reviews the benefits of knowing it's possible to separately manage the sensor's saturation from the ISO. This knowledge makes a huge difference in how we apply our digital cameras...

See this video discussing more advanced exposure techniques...

EM5 II & 7-14mm f2.8 lens - ISO800, f2.8, 1/250. The Advanced Raw File was converted in WS. The new ISO technique will benefit this photo...

The information below applies to all digital cameras:

1. The Shutter and Aperture are responsible for exposing the sensor.
2. The ISO function only amplifies the image signal from the sensor.
3. Keep in mind the ISO is part of the camera's exposure calculation.

An example of incorrect information...

Source: dpreview.com - Olympus Camedia C-50 review (pre "size and capture" days)

Consider this when you use the Digital Exposure Triangle:

• Reflected light (Shutter Speed and Aperture) controls the sensor's saturation level.
• More reflected light saturates the sensor. This improves the SNR, which decreases noise.
• Less reflected light decreases Saturation/SNR. A smaller SNR means more visible noise.
• Study the Photons to Electrons conversion graph in one of my previous articles - link.

EM1 MKI & 12mm f2 lens - ISO1250, f2.0, 1/25. The Enhanced Raw File converted in WS. These scenes benefitted from the new ISO technique.

3. Avoid any "size and capture" theorists explaining digital cameras

Please study the 2 images in Figure 1. The image on the left is a JPEG from my EM5 II, and the one on the right is a converted raw file. These images are an expression of understanding the digital camera and Workspace. They were not created with AI, computational photography, a LUT, or advanced image editing. Photographers in Group A will typically say the EM5 II's dynamic range is too small, and those in Group B will seek new information to improve their knowledge and technique?

What did we learn from "size and capture" promoters? They sell the "fact" that digital photography is better with bigger sensors. Some of the deliverables are dynamic range, background blur, image quality, image noise, and details. These "size and capture" theorists never differentiate between the photographer's experience or the camera's optical and technical characteristics...

Olympus EM5 II & 12-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/500. The new ISO technique lets us control any highlights in the above scene.

4. Knowledge and experience are critical aspects of digital photography

Study this article discussing the benefits of having knowledge...

What information is necessary to discuss the photos in Figure 1? Image quality is proportional to the sensor's saturation and image brightness is adjusted with the ISO, Gamma Curve, and Exposure Compensation in the Camera and WS. The EM5 II is known for its good IQ and the sensor's small noise floor. The DxOMark Low-Light ISO rating defines acceptable and good image quality.

It's critical to take a new look at digital cameras. A saturated sensor enables us to manage our image brightness in the camera (ISO) and/or Workspace (EC). We can adjust the camera's Tone Curve with the Gradation function, Highlights/Midtones/Shadows sliders, and/or the Tone Curve in Workspace. Why do we need a new ISO Technique? Because the new technique is based on the design principles of digital cameras and not random "size and capture" marketing theories. For example, a saturated sensor means a higher Dynamic Range (better image quality) and SNR (less visible noise)...

How do we apply the new ISO technique?

1. This technique benefits from the Enhanced Raw Format and Workspace.
2. The Enhanced Raw Format is the link between the ISO and Workspace.
3. Evaluate the quality of the reflected light and set the ISO to 400 or 800.
4. Use the histogram to expose the sensor (Aperture & shutter speed).
5. The histogram follows the sensor's saturation level with a fixed ISO.
6. Lower the ISO" in 1/3EV intervals to manage" any clipping highlights.
7. Finalize your image brightness in WS (EC) and export a 16-bit Tiff file.
8. The final step is to tweak the exported 16-bit Tiff file in Photoshop.

EC = Exposure Compensation.

Olympus E620 w 12-60mm f2.8 Lens - ISO100, f8.0, 1Sec. 3 AE bracketed raw files were converted and edited (HDR) in Photoshop.

Is there another way of creating Photo B? Yes, I used the above method to illustrate the relationship between the camera's sensor and ISO function. Some will say the EM5 II is ISO Invariant. Folks, the "size and capture" and "ISO Invariance" theories are marketing programs. Those pushing them cannot explain why we have image noise, a noise floor, and why all sensors are not "ISO Invariant."

It's possible to manage the sensor's performance when we know that clipping highlights are not always linked to a smaller dynamic range. For example, the sensor might be perfectly exposed (saturated), while the ISO setting (image brightness) is responsible for clipping the highlights...

The following steps explain how I created Image B:

1. I used Image A to create a ref auto exposure of ISO200, f4.0, 1/25 for the EM5 II.
2. The DxOMark "Low Light" Sports rating showed I could vary the ISO with 2-stops.
3. That means I could adjust the "highlights" when I start with ISO800, f4, and 1/100.
4. I used ISO200, f4, and 1/80th in M-Mode. (No clipping & sensor @ 20% ETTR).
5. I corrected the image brightness (Image B) in WS with Exposure Comp & Tonal adj.

Olympus E410 w 14-42mm lens - ISO400, f13, 13 Sec. The highlights and general IQ of the E-410 will benefit from this ISO technique.

It takes time to visualize and create new techniques. It improves our ability to problem-solve Olympus Cameras and Workspace. For example, the concept that ALL sensors have a noise floor underlines this new ISO technique. It's possible to control clipping highlights with an optimally exposed sensor. The Enhanced Raw Format enables us to finalize our ISO value in the camera and/or WS.

Here is another method to create Photo B (Fig. 1). Olympus cameras automatically vary the sensor's saturation level with AE Bracketing. That means the camera doesn't change the ISO in AE bracketing mode. Use ISO800 and the "2f 1.0EV" bracketing option to take 2 photos. Manually take another image at ISO200 (-2EV) and the 20% ETTR aperture and shutter values. Do the final image brightness and Gamma Curve adjustments in Workspace and export the image in a 16-bit Tiff format.

Olympus EM5 II w 7-14mm f2.8 lens - ISO64, f7.1, 1/125. ISO64 helped me to up the SNR and saturate the sensor.

Conclusion

Most digital cameras from 2012 onwards have acceptable to good IQ. Modern marketing and collective dynamics continue to push for more image quality. Be aware of the dumbing-down effect of everyday marketing and reject any "bigger is better" theories. Study and master your digital camera.

This article shows the value of knowing your digital camera. It enabled me to increase the sensor's SNR and control the clipping highlights. The new ISO technique relies on the DxOMark "Acceptable Image Quality" rating. This gave me the comfort of having a minimum Color Depth of 18, a Dynamic Range of 9EV, and an SNR of 30db, with no ETTR, at ISO800. This new ISO technique is more exciting with the Olympus EM1 III because the new Workspace AI noise filter works from IS800.

Why shouldn't one "Expose for Highlights?" This "technique" illustrates why social media experts are terrible advisors! What happens when we apply a negative exposure compensation in any of the AE Modes? For example, many photographers like to use Aperture Mode and Auto-ISO. This means they can't determine if the sensor is saturated. It's like photographing with a broken lens...

A final example of timing, compositions, and complex exposures.

Alex Nail is a great landscape photographer. He took a group of photographers into the Drakensberg mountains. The vegetation in this mountainous region brought back memories of South Africa. Image quality is not only a function of your camera because all digital cameras have unique strengths and weaknesses. One of the joys of photography is managing the camera's limitations...