bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

I took this photo of a female Kestrel hunting off a utility wire, over a field here in Georgetown. I'm at the ragged edge of technique, equipment, and distance, so this was a good test for me to see if Topaz AI Sharpen is worth all the extra time and effort.

Here is a screen shot of the entire image.

KestrelScreenShot by Marshall Smith, on Flickr

Here is a cropped version as I usually do it.

FemaleKestrel01Oct2019_097web by Marshall Smith, on Flickr


And here is a cropped version, using AI Sharpen with the Focus option.

FemaleKestrel01Oct2019_097ShFocusWeb by Marshall Smith, on Flickr

I like the Topaz version slightly better, even though a first glance doesn't show a dramatic difference. I'm keeping an open mind. Also, I just used the AUTO option and standard settings to the Topaz app, and basically was just stumbling around.

More tests to come.

Marshall

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

Greta shot! Worth working on.

I just started using Sharpen AI, and seem to get the most utility from the “stabilize” module. Please send along your impressions after you have played with the processing a little more.

RustyM

Thanks, Marshall, for sharing this. I also just started using Sharpen AI. Like Mr. Bumps, I’ve found “stabilize” to have the greatest effect, and Topaz says it is intended to fix motion blur, so I would be interested in knowing whether it improves your shot.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

My observation about Topaz AI Sharpen is that it can transform an image that should be tossed during culling into a marginal keeper. Your observations / demonstration of working a great image confirms my opinion of the limited benefit to obvious keeper images.

With good skills in PS, you should be able to sharpen / process this example to a better result without the time and effort and expense of the Topaz tool. From the Topaz result, look at the halo around the wing-tip in the lower-middle of the image. This is an over-sharpened artifact that would benefit from some more pixel-level cloning work in PS to smooth away. Look too at the 'bubbling' in the feathers along the back crest of the bird's head and along the leading edge of the wing that is toward the top of the frame. Finally, consider lowering the overall contrast within the image where this version seems like the bird is 'pasted' onto the background. My point is there are areas coming out of Topaz that need some more work to keep the good and fix the over-done.

Great image and thank you for the effort to provide a real-life demonstration!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Nicely done.

bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

Right on! My limited experience so far has convinced me that one can get lost in the weeds very quickly, and burn up a lot of computer time getting there, too. lol

I also made the mistake of using one of the Topaz apps on a complete file, when I knew I was going to crop pretty drastically. It took FOREVER, and then looked really funky to boot. To the Trash it went.

MrBumps2U and RustyM, I agree that Stabalize has been kinder to me, so far. Here is one I worked on tonight, an even more drastic crop than the kestrel shot. I really need to get closer!

RTH01Oct2019_010 by Marshall Smith, on Flickr

Marshall

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

Marshall, Topaz do some Webinars and if you haven't signed up for them perhaps you should. Have you been watching them? If not go to their site and have a look at the new Topaz Studio. I can't help you as I too am learning Topaz.

H

bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

Thanks, Heather. I'll do that. I haven't even gotten to the point yet where I tell Topaz to not open that introduction screen every time...lol

Marshall

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

I will buddy you and if I pick up any tips I will PM you.

bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

Thanks, that would be great!

Marshall

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

That second one on my dinky, old monitor, looks amazing