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JPG color noise correction - PS CC 2015
Nov 4, 2015 03:35:26   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
Foreword

Visible noise is preventable to a certain extent. Noise will always be present in any and all captures thought.
[color]This addresses ONLY the JPG pesky color noise[/color] that appears when a capture is under-exposed for any reason. This noise is not related to compression artifacts that are not correctable without introducing a softness in the final product.

History
Quote:
Back in 2013 yes, that long, I started a research on noise and came with several solutions, each addressing specific noise, none being 'the silver bullet'.
This time my inspiration came from a thread created by rmalarz. In his thread rmalarz posted his own research on predictable noise. rmalarz posted his test image and I got 'upset' as his image was a JPG and asked for something that not messed up with JPG compression. rmalarz complied by posting another image, a TIFF. Visually, comparing the two, the change was invisible yet there was something as the histogram had variations in the Blue and Green channels and none in the Red. I decided to compare the images using PS CC. So I took the two images, placed them on top of each other and used 'divide' as blend mode. 'Bingo!' I saw where the modification were made. Great. Problem is something was tugging in my mind.
It took me about two night of insomnia to crack it. If I could isolate difference so quickly, why is it not possible for other purposes?
I took rmalarz initial JPG as a test file, with his permission. I immediately found that I was able to correct the color artifacts in it. As this could be a fluke I requested folks to send me a few noisy captures in the post processing section. A few answered and gave me various forms of noise.
It instantly became apparent that I was dealing with a fluke. Then I realized that the solution was specialized in removing JPG color noise.
I tested my 'discovery' with older images I had requested in 2014 and could not correct. To find my old research I reopened many of my ancient threads. This led me to a surprise!!!
Back in 2013 yes, that long, I started a research ... (show quote)


Anyway on with the tutorial, step by step.

Quote:
- Open the capture you need to correct.
- Duplicate the layer
- Select Menu>Filter>Blu>Gaussian Blur
- Set the blur level high but in proportion to your originals. On the sample I was given I used 8px or 16px so be generous here.
The image will now be a blur.
- Change the layer mode to color. Please not that I found out that 'Soft light' and 'lighten' can lead to better results depending on the image.
- Select an area that offers the greatest number and variety of color noise
- Magnify the image to 400%, yes, pixel peeping.
- Open the layer blend mode
- Select the channels in the 'Blend if' area
- Leave 'Grey (luminosity) selected.
- Using the top layer left slider push it slowly to the right. Some if not all of the color noise will simply go away.

If not:
- Alt click on the black arrow. It will split into two. Slowly move the left side toward the left. This create the range luminosity range that will affected by the blend mode.
- Using the lower layer right white arrow do the same thing but reversed (slide to the left, split arrow, slide to the right)
- Change the channel to 'Green' and proceed as above.
Normally all the color noise should be gone.
If not use the blue channel as described above.
DO NOT use the red channel.
- Click ok.

Ok, now you have eliminated the color noise but the image is lacking punch as it has lost quite a bit of luminosity and contrast*.
You could create and adjustment layer but there is a better method.
- Bring the image to a more normal viewing mode (Ctrl-0)
- With the layer selected press Ctrl-L**. This brings the level menu. Adjust as need to adjust the histogram clipping***. Then using the mid range arrow well, adjust the luminosity to your heart content.
- Merge the layers.
- Open the capture you need to correct. br - Dupli... (show quote)


Quote:
Four things to remember:
- Duplicate layer
- Blend mode
- Blend if
- Adjust layer luminosity

If you remember these four steps you will be able to recreate everything in a jiffy


You are done.
With a little training this should not take you more than a minute.
Why is this better than any plug-in?
There is no loss of detail, no blur, no loss of luminosity.


---
* My initial test had a lost of luminosity.
** You can also use Ctrl-M to bring a more flexible curve adjustment.
*** Tip: when adjusting clipping keep the ALT key down before selecting and moving the extreme sliders. This will give you a visual clue as to when you start killing either the light or the dark.

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Nov 5, 2015 14:10:01   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
Comparisons side by side that demonstrate the color noise removal...

Example 1 -
http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446558681235-003_1.png">http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446558699501-004_1.pnghttp://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446558681235-003_1.png

Example 2 - Note the red sky: This That was a two step process. While the color noise in the sky was removed the compression noise became too evident.

http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446584291513-rgg_103.png">http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446584291420-rgg_102_ground.pnghttp://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446584291513-rgg_103.png">http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446584291289-rgg_101.pnghttp://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446584291513-rgg_103.png">http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446584291420-rgg_102_ground.pnghttp://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446584291513-rgg_103.png

Example 3 - The JPG color noise is gone.

http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446608014199-cntry_002.png">http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446607989851-cntry_001.pnghttp://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2015/11/3/1446608014199-cntry_002.png

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Nov 5, 2015 14:29:11   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
What follow is not JPG color noise yet if has been corrected.

This led to one caveat in the correction:
If there is a wide area of red like this sticker the red will glow. That is not acceptable (see picture 2).
The correction is simple:
Select the area
Copy cut the red out of the image to a new layer
Fill the area (on the original layer) with black or white
Proceed as per the tutorial.

What is interesting here for those concerned with blurring: None took place as evidenced by the lettering.

Note: This capture was offered by Uuglypher

Uuglypher original
Uuglypher original...
(Download)

First correction - Notice the red glowing
First correction - Notice the red glowing...
(Download)

Second correction - using an additional layer
Second correction - using an additional layer...
(Download)

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