The photographer sacrificed what could have been a higher quality picture for the highest shutter speed his camera would give him. Why would a professional photographer sacrifice quality?
In high end pro cameras, 800 ISO is not what 800 ISO used to be There are all sorts of software to recover noise if it does pop up. If the image were blown up for print, there might be a concern. But his image will likely be shown on line or on a news paper page, 6 inches max. Noise will not be a big issue.
1. To have only his subject in focus.
2. The leftist editors are always looking for the worst possible pictures to use of repubs, the best of dems, so you want to have as many as possible for them to select from.
A difference of a part of a second can make a big difference in facial expression.
He didn't.
This bullet and several others were not fired at NORMAL speed expected from say, an AR15 and it's basic ammo.
The 'sniper(s)' did not want to get caught so they use a special load which is deadly quiet. It also is not quite as accurate. The bullet itself is larger and weighs more than a standard bullet and with less of a powder load and/or use of a slower burning powder does not propel the bullet as fast.
End result is that if it hits it's target, it is just as deadly, but it is unlikely anyone will hear it.
Not at all grainy for modern pro-grade and even enthusiast grade cameras.
If cropping there may be a slight bit more noise but you would have to do some serious cropping for image quality to significantly degrade.