Topaz processing DNG files: I am having problems with Sharpen/Stabilize & DeNoise, they just don't seem to work as well as they do on JPEG photos. Is anyone else having troubles with...

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

I am having problems with Sharpen/Stabilize & DeNoise, they just don't seem to work as well as they do on JPEG photos. Is anyone else having troubles with DNG files or am I overlooking at setting of some sort?

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I don't have experience with Topaz where PP is concerned but I suspect the problem is a basic one. With DNG (presumably converted from raw) you are starting from scratch whereas jpeg files get in-camera processing (including sharpen and denoise). When post processing DNG (or raw), perhaps if you try larger initial adjustments than you're used to giving jpegs you'll find them more responsive. In addition to that you'll find the DNGs can be optimised more effectively but to get that advantage you need a lighter hand to find that optimum balance. You just have to adjust your approach accordingly. If you're used to editing jpegs it shouldn't take much to fine tune your PP skills (and it's worth the effort).

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

R.G. wrote:

I don't have experience with Topaz where PP is con... (show quote)

I have been doing some reading on the subject and it seems that where in the workflow Topaz is used plays a big part in the quality of the results; I'll do some experimenting.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Howard5252 wrote:

I have been doing some reading on the subject and it seems that where in the workflow Topaz is used plays a big part in the quality of the results; I'll do some experimenting.

Great advice from R.G. I think you'll find it true with any software that workflow is key: you are adding adjustments on top of other adjustments or edits, not the original you started with - whether that be a "stripped down" dng from a raw file or a jpg that already has some in-camera processing.

Even converting to black and white will produce noticeably different results depending on if/how the original file is manipulated prior to conversion.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

This may be of interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eyJ5Hvhmac&feature=youtu.be

By Joel Wolfson on Topaz a couple days ago.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

DaveO wrote:

This may be of interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eyJ5Hvhmac&feature=youtu.be

By Joel Wolfson on Topaz a couple days ago.

Thank you.
I just took a look at his work flow > he converts from RAW to TIFF as a first step. My problem is with using DNG. Maybe that is the answer - Use TIFF but at this point I don't know. One other thing perhaps I should have mentioned initially - I start out with NEF (Nikon's version of RAW); maybe that's having an effect. At this point I don't know. I hope there is someone out there who has a similar work flow to mine. NEF > DeNoise > DNG is selected as output). Also all of my Topaz programs are used as stand-alones; that shouldn't matter but just in case.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Howard5252 wrote:

Thank you. br I just took a look at his work flow ... (show quote)

This address should accept an inquiry and good luck! : info@joelwolfson.com

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

DaveO wrote:

This address should accept an inquiry and good luck! : info@joelwolfson.com

Thank you. If I can't figure it out, I'll ask Joel. One other thing ... I have my camera set up to give me both a NEF and a JPEG; I've never had any sort of problem using JPEG, so now I'm using it as a control.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Howard5252 wrote:

Thank you. If I can't figure it out, I'll ask Joel. One other thing ... I have my camera set up to give me both a NEF and a JPEG; I've never had any sort of problem using JPEG, so now I'm using it as a control.

I am just beginning a little understanding of LR and Topaz. I have been shooting NEF/JPEG for several years and it's about time I learned how to better present some of my shots.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

DaveO wrote:

I am just beginning a little understanding of LR and Topaz. I have been shooting NEF/JPEG for several years and it's about time I learned how to better present some of my shots.

Everything I have shot has always been JPEG. I have had many long/heated discussions with people trying to get me to use RAW and after Steve Perry's recent video, I decided to try it. This is why I am having my problems with Topaz; I never processed a RAW file in any of the Topaz products before. Wouldn't it be funny if all of the Pros (who use RAW) never actually tried to process a JPEG file in a Topaz program and don't know how much better Topaz handles JPEG files :-) :-) :-)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Howard5252 wrote:

Everything I have shot has always been JPEG. I have had many long/heated discussions with people trying to get me to use RAW and after Steve Perry's recent video, I decided to try it. This is why I am having my problems with Topaz; I never processed a RAW file in any of the Topaz products before. Wouldn't it be funny if all of the Pros (who use RAW) never actually tried to process a JPEG file in a Topaz program and don't know how much better Topaz handles JPEG files :-) :-) :-)

It'll be a while before I grin, let alone laugh! LOL!

The tough thing about RAW is that camera settings are not included when you process the raw file.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

I was using the output of DeNoise to change NEF to DNG; I think this was not a good idea.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Howard5252 wrote:

Thank you. br I just took a look at his work flow ... (show quote)

For stand alone & not as plug ins, use TIFF.

garrickw Loc: Wyoming Mn.

I know Topaz says to run Denoise first I don't I process first in ACR and use noise reduction and sharping in ACR if the noise is a little to much for ACR I then transfer to topaz a tiff file and it does a terrific job

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

Howard5252 wrote:

I am having problems with Sharpen/Stabilize & DeNoise, they just don't seem to work as well as they do on JPEG photos. Is anyone else having troubles with DNG files or am I overlooking at setting of some sort?

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If you converted your RAW files to DNG then your problem might be related to that. I have used the programs with my "NEF" files from my Nikons and also with "CR2" files from my Canon and those native RAW formats have been working fine.