Tag: noise reduction

Discover the Exciting New Features of DxO PureRAW 4

In digital photography, pursuing crisp, clear images is a never-ending quest.
DxO, a company known for its advanced photo editing software, has just released the latest version of its acclaimed program: DxO PureRAW 4. This new version, aimed at amateur and professional photographers, promises to take photo processing to the next level with its new features and improvements. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what makes DxO PureRAW 4 a worthy upgrade.
1. Real-Time Preview: A Game-Changer
One of the standout features of DxO PureRAW 4 is the real-time preview. What does this mean for you? Put, as you adjust various tool parameters to enhance your image, you can see the effects of these changes instantly. This immediate feedback is invaluable for fine-tuning your photos to perfection without the guesswork. It’s like watching your photo transform before your eyes, one adjustment at a time.
2. Advanced Batch Renaming: Keeps you organized
Handling numerous images can be overwhelming, but DxO PureRAW 4 makes it easier with its advanced batch renaming feature. This option allows you to organize and process multiple images simultaneously, saving you precious time and effort. Whether dealing with hundreds of photos from a wedding shoot or a vacation, this feature helps keep your files neatly organized and easily accessible.
3. Enhanced Widget Workflow: Efficiency at Its Best
The improved widget workflow in DxO PureRAW 4 is all about speed and convenience. The software automatically opens when you insert a memory card into your computer. This means you can start processing your photos right away without the extra steps of opening the program manually. It’s a small but significant improvement streamlining your workflow, especially when you’re eager to see and work on your freshly captured images.
4. Next-Level Image Quality: Noise Reduction and Lens Softness
DxO PureRAW 4 introduces a new noise reduction algorithm, DeepPrime XD2, and an improved lens softness tool. The DeepPrime XD2 algorithm is designed to tackle noise more effectively, ensuring your images are as clear and detailed as possible. Meanwhile, the enhanced lens softness tool addresses issues with lens imperfections, helping you achieve sharper and more accurate photos. These tools work together to enhance the overall quality of your images, making them look professional and polished.
5. Upgrade Pricing: A Worthwhile Investment
For existing PureRAW users, upgrading to the latest version costs 79€, while the regular price is 119€. This update enhances the software’s capabilities and ensures that it stays compatible with the latest camera and lens technology.
Conclusion
DxO PureRAW 4 offers a significant leap forward in photo processing software. With features like real-time preview, advanced batch renaming, an automated widget workflow, enhanced image quality tools, and continuous updates, it’s an essential tool for anyone serious about photography. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an enthusiastic amateur, DxO PureRAW 4 is designed to make your photo editing process more efficient and your results more stunning.
Get yours
Using this link, you can buy your copy! >>> DxO PureRAW 4

March 7, 2024
Topaz Sharpen AI – [BEST sharpening software or is it?]

Many of us want our photos to be sharp. Sometimes we have images that are a bit unsharp. The reason might be that the shutter speed is too long for stopping the motion and the image has some motion blur. Sometimes we have camera shake pr we miss the focus.
In many cases, we can remake the image, but not always. Then it would be great if there was a software that could help us. TopazLabs has a solution, Topaz Sharpen AI. It is part of their AI-driven software sets like DeNoise AI and Gigapixel AI.

Topaz Sharpen AI can fix images that have motion blur, camera shake or are slightly out focus. Like I say in the linked video below it is not a solution for sloppy photography, but a rescue method if you really need a photo that has something wrong with the sharpness.

It does not work if you need to print big. Images that are for social media or another online posting, it works great.
Here you can see images before and after. There was some motion blur and Sharpen AI made the images ok for use in small size in social media for example.

The downside of the Topaz Sharpen AI that it is quite slow. You need to have a powerful computer for it to work.

The great thing is that you test Topaz Sharpen AI. It has a 30-day unlimited trial version. So there is no risk. If you do not like it or it is not for you just delete it after you have tested it.
If you have tested the Sharpen AI, please let me know what do you think about it.

October 14, 2020
How to Avoid Noise in Photography?
Noise is something we usually want to avoid in our photos. Noise can make the image quality worse. That is always a matter of opinion. Also, noise looks a bit different in different cameras. Some cameras can even produce quite pleasant looking noise. There are two kinds of noise, color noise, and luminance noise. I usually do not like the color noise that much. Luminance noise is not that bad, but of course, it can also be ugly looking.
How to avoid noise in photography:
Olympus OM-D E-M1X, M.Zuiko 300f4 + MC-14, 1/640 f5.6, ISO3200
1. Correct Exposure
Getting your exposure correct when making the exposure is very important. If you need to increase the exposure, most likely the in shadows will become more visible. Getting the exposure correct when photographing will get you better results. If you shoot RAW then exposing the image as bright as possible and then lower the mid-tones and possibly also highlights in post will reduce the visibility of the noise.
2. Use RAW
Using RAW will make it possible to edit your images. Lowering the exposure in post like I mentioned in the previous tip will make the noise less visible. RAW will give you more flexibility.
3. Use as Low ISO as possible
Modern cameras have a very effective stabilizer. That will make long exposures possible without tripods. When using low ISO there will less noise in your images. If you have LowISO in your camera as one of the options, try that and see how it affects the noise level of your images.
Olympus E-M1 MKII, M.Zuiko 17mm f1.8, 1/8s f2.8, ISO1600
4. Long Exposure Increases Noise
When using low exposure that increases noise. Many cameras have noise reduction in camera when exposure is more than certain seconds. In Olympus cameras that limit is 4 seconds. If your exposure time is 4 seconds or longer the camera will do noise reduction. Some cameras are not good in noise reduction and in most cases it is better to do in post. But the best way is to test it with your own camera.
5. Use Noise Reduction in Post
Image editing software usually has a noise reduction tool. Some work better than others. In most cases, I use the Lightroom noise reduction tool. But sometimes I use Topaz DeNoise AI. It works very well reducing noise.
If you are interested in Topaz DeNoise Ai click this link. Ii’s an Affiliate link. You do not pay extra and I get a small commission. Win-Win

Always remember not to overdo the noise reduction. Images start to look really plastic if you reduce too much noise. Always be very careful and easy on the noise reduction so that the details do not disappear.
6. Noise Reduction in Camera Video
I have a video about Noise Reduction on my YouTube -channel. There are a few more tips about the reduction.
August 15, 2020