TIPS Using TOPAZ SHARPEN AI: There are quite a few variables to play around with, so just in case you are using the program and haven't noticed this ... here's a tip. Focus does a...

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

There are quite a few variables to play around with, so just in case you are using the program and haven't noticed this ... here's a tip. Focus does a wonderful job of removing Noise. If you have a photo that has a noise problem - try Focus. For photos that don't need Focus, I've put the settings at 0 blur / 80 noise and the noise goes away, give it a try. I'd like to hear about any tips you've got.

Jeannie88

Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try. I really have not used it at all.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

Here's what my workflow looks like. Adobe NEF converter to DNG > LR (for exposure /color/contrast /cropping / etc./ no sharpening > TOPAZ SHARPEN AI (for sharpening/focus/stabilization).
These photos are uncropped.
1= The original photo 2= processed with Focus @ 90/80 3= re-processed with Sharpen @ 50/50
The second and third photos had to be reduced by 34% to get under the 20Mb limit of this site.
To see the noise reduction, use the Download +
I use FastStone Image Viewer to look at my photos; I think it does a great job of allowing me to compare photos and ... It's free.

Original Noisy
Original Noisy...

(Download)

Processed with Focus No Noise
Processed with Focus No Noise...

(Download)

Re-Processed with Sharpen
Re-Processed with Sharpen...

(Download)

johnst1001a Loc: West Chester, Ohio

for those with older computers, older processors, <16gb ram, and large mb files, be prepared to wait a while for the process to finish. Some things to try to speed things up, shut down your browser, shutdown all other programs an unrelated apps, if you had some layers open, flatten your image first. lastly, get a cup of coffee.

tomcat

Also, the Stabilize option can potentially restore sharpness if the image is slightly OOF. I no longer automatically discard images that are not in focus until I can give them a chance with the software.

And do NOT push the sliders all the way over to their maximum settings of 1.0. Topaz warns against this and it definitely will increase the processing time on low horsepower computers.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

Hand held shot? Try the stabilize option at 30 and increase if needed.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

Howard5252 wrote:

Here's what my workflow looks like. Adobe NEF conv... (show quote)

By the way, nice photo. Do you have or use Topaz DeNoise AI? I have upgraded to this and really l like it. Does anyone use this and Sharpen AI? If so, do you use both? DeNoise AI does a nice job of sharpening along with noise reduction. I use it after I have opened and converted in Canon DPP.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Howard5252 wrote:

Here's what my workflow looks like. Adobe NEF conv... (show quote)

I'm not sure that I can see a difference when comparing #2 and #3, but they are both amazingly improved over #1 looking at the download versions. I see no noise at all in #2 or #3. You did a great job. I may have to look into Topaz! Thank you for posting.

rcarol

Howard5252 wrote:

There are quite a few variables to play around with, so just in case you are using the program and haven't noticed this ... here's a tip. Focus does a wonderful job of removing Noise. If you have a photo that has a noise problem - try Focus. For photos that don't need Focus, I've put the settings at 0 blur / 80 noise and the noise goes away, give it a try. I'd like to hear about any tips you've got.

What is Focus? I've never heard of it.

tomcat

rcarol wrote:

What is Focus? I've never heard of it.

It is one of the options inside of Topaz Sharpen AI. There are 3 options for this software: Sharpen, Stabilize, and Focus. I find that I get the best sharpening results from the Stabilize option. It removes some blur and adds a degree of sharpening, just like you had used a Nikon VRII lens. The other 2 options do just as the titles imply.

spaceytracey Loc: East Glacier Park, MT

I've just downloaded the trial version of Topaz AI sharpen but have not had time to use it yet. Am looking forward to doing so. BTW, I don't even see the noise in your image #1. Might be time I schedule an eye. exam.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

spaceytracey wrote:

I've just downloaded the trial version of Topaz AI sharpen but have not had time to use it yet. Am looking forward to doing so. BTW, I don't even see the noise in your image #1. Might be time I schedule an eye. exam.

The noise is visible in #1 in the download +

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

AirWalter wrote:

I'm not sure that I can see a difference when comparing #2 and #3, but they are both amazingly improved over #1 looking at the download versions. I see no noise at all in #2 or #3. You did a great job. I may have to look into Topaz! Thank you for posting.

#2 has taken the noise out / #3 is #2 after being sharpened.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

bajadreamer wrote:

By the way, nice photo. Do you have or use Topaz DeNoise AI? I have upgraded to this and really l like it. Does anyone use this and Sharpen AI? If so, do you use both? DeNoise AI does a nice job of sharpening along with noise reduction. I use it after I have opened and converted in Canon DPP.

I do not have DeNoiseAI. I have a feeling that as AI improves and the processing times come down, I may buy one of the other Topaz products.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

Howard5252 wrote:

I do not have DeNoiseAI. I have a feeling that as AI improves and the processing times come down, I may buy one of the other Topaz products.

I have downloaded the trial AI Sharpen. Very limited trial-3 pictures, but I am seeing artifacts. I really like AI DeNoise. Simple, faster than AI Sharpen, and I think very nice sharpening ability.