robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Yesterday in the gallery and close-ups I posted a hummingbird done in really poor light, why, because there was something I liked, but the noise was horrible.
Today I revisited it and experimented, here are the results. That noise was just getting under my skin.
I played around, tried Topaz Simplify but none of its gazillion painting filters worked for me so in desperation I went back to Photoshop and browsed the menus. Under "Filter" > "Stylize" I found "Oil Paint". I like it! Those fake brush strokes hide the noise very well. Then I tweaked the tones a bit to make the feathers and the "swirly" brush strokes look good and here it is. Then I included the first version so folks don't have to hunt for it to compare. Someone asked about the background. It is a weathered board fence about 25' behind the bird, in deep shade. Last I have added the OOC image (experiment with large water mark also)

And on the "oil painting" you really need to Download to see it at its best.

Photoshop filter, "oil paint"

(Download)

PP as straight photo, with awful noise

(Download)

OOC, he was only there for a 4 shot burst, no chance to lower SS for another try at lower ISO

(Download)

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Well done, Robert. I really didn't find the noise problematic but I do think the processing you came up with is an excellent remedy and created a beautiful photo.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Thank you so much.

NikonGal Loc: Central Oregon

I enjoyed your image Robert, I liked the painting effect. The noise didn't bother me too much.

I am playing around with Topaz too and their AI Clear is helping a number of my images in decreasing noise while also sharpening (I'm scanning slides into digital). Also, I find that for me, the PS-CC painting filters tend to be limited and I get frustrated not finding a look I want. So, I expanded my painting choices with Topaz Impression, and liked some of their effects.........and no, I'm not a Topaz rep , but I have enjoyed using a number of their options. Bev

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I did the trial of Topaz a few years ago, but bought the NIK collection, and now have the new NIK, I also have the Franzis Projects Pro set, but am having trouble moving images back and forth to LR and PS. Maybe I will give Topaz another look, it is just that these complete suites are expensive for someone who just sort of plays with them now and then.

NikonGal Loc: Central Oregon

I agree, they do hook us in. And I play a lot, but by no means am I proficient. I use PS-CC and ACR, I don't use Lightroom at all. I purchased Topaz Impression as a plug-in for Photoshop, so it just transfered when studio came out, which was free. I was lucky in that a camera club member had used it for a while, and I like his results, so decided to invest. Their technology credits impressed me, so I figured if NASA used their algorithms, they'd work well in the private sector. Give it another 30-day trial, Studio is free and comes with a few basic adjustments, then they hook you into the "Pro" adjustments. My initial plug-ins still work inside PS, so unless I want AI-Clear, I don't have to go outside PS. Good luck, let us know how you like it. Bev

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Well when I went for the NIK suite I did purchase the Topaz Simplify because I like it. So when studio came out I got it through update.