Topaz Sharpen AI v. iv? Is Topaz Sharpen AI superior to sharpen in Photoshop. There is an updated version available now. I havE, use and like Gigapixel and Topaz Denoise AI. Also, are...

Ufauxreal

Is Topaz Sharpen AI superior to sharpen in Photoshop. There is an updated version available now. I havE, use and like Gigapixel and Topaz Denoise AI. Also, are you able to sharpen only select areas with it?
Thanks.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

IMHO far above. Photoshop is an image processer and does everything well. The Topaz Trio are specialized for specific purposes and do them better, easier and faster than Photoshop

R.G. Loc: Scotland

We have basic editors for basic editing and in addition to that we have tools which are oriented towards recovering photos that are suffering from extreme cases of things like noise, missed focus, camera shake, insufficient pixels etc. The extreme cases need the extra power that AI gives these tools, whereas the basic editors can do a good job of basic (non-extreme) editing using fully manual adjustments. The AI tools are a good choice when you need that extra processing power but most basic editors will do a perfectly satisfactory job of basic editing (when used properly).

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

Yes, you can sharpen specific areas with the mask tool.

Ron 717 Loc: Pennsylvania

Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz Denoise AI are two programs that I feel are the best on the market. Couple those with Topaz Gigapixel AI and you have three of the best post processing programs available. Just my humble opinion.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Ufauxreal wrote:

Is Topaz Sharpen AI superior to sharpen in Photoshop. There is an updated version available now. I havE, use and like Gigapixel and Topaz Denoise AI. Also, are you able to sharpen only select areas with it?
Thanks.

. . . . . "are you able to sharpen only select areas with it?"

Both Topaz DeNoise and Sharpen AI V4.0.2 version has the "Masking Tool Icon" ("Selectively sharpen your image") at the bottom right of the screen, just to the left of the (too) tiny "Trash Can" icon.
Click on the "Masking Tool Icon" and many (seven) categories (selection, brush sizes, +-, etc., Clear Mask, Invert Mask, Color Mask, Overlay, Color, etc.) appear on the far right top of the page.

Tip: Always use the Topaz defaults and start from there. For me, the defaults are much better >97% (made-up) of the time than my best guess.
Then compare the pics side by side and delete your least favorite.

Tip 2: Topaz recommended Workflow and Settings work better for me at least 97% (made-up) of the time.
https://topazlabs.com/the-ultimate-workflow-for-topaz-labs-ai-software/?utm_source=Topaz+Updates&utm_campaign=8c480bdca3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_11_19_04_29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5e4dd8652a-8c480bdca3-92602881&mc_cid=8c480bdca3&mc_eid=c9be7297b0

Smile,
JimmyT Sends

PS: I have no PS experience, so I don't know which works best.
I do know that Topaz Products work for me.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Personally, I see no huge difference between what Lightroom/Photoshop offer and what Topaz has to offer. I just purchased Topaz a month ago, so I have yet to fully form my opinion. Best of luck.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

My experiments have found that Topaz AI sharpen is much more effective than PS or even NIk, especially for images that contain multiple subjects where one is in focus but the other is OOF because of a shallow DOF. In some cases, the improvement can be quite remarkable

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

TriX wrote:

My experiments have found that Topaz AI sharpen is much more effective than PS or even NIk, especially for images that contain multiple subjects where one is in focus but the other is OOF because of a shallow DOF. In some cases, the improvement can be quite remarkable

Good to know, especially from you.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

cjc2 wrote:

Good to know, especially from you.

TriX always provides good solid feedback.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Jimmy T wrote:

TriX always provides good solid feedback.

Thank you both for the kind words.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Ufauxreal wrote:

Is Topaz Sharpen AI superior to sharpen in Photoshop. There is an updated version available now. I havE, use and like Gigapixel and Topaz Denoise AI. Also, are you able to sharpen only select areas with it?
Thanks.

Depends... For minor sharpening both Lightroom and Photoshop are quite adequate. For serious removal of focus blur, motion blur and image softness, Topaz Sharpen AI and, to some degree, Topaz DeNoise AI do a better job.

bwa

MikeT9

I have always been a fan of Topaz products, from the older ones to the AI versions and I’m talking principally Denoise and Sharpen. I have to admit though that I’ve been less than impressed with the almost constant updates of these two products that require more and more input to get the best out of them. I recently purchased DXO’s Pure Raw which is my go to first port of call for higher ISO files. This works on the raw file and in my case sends the produced DNG file to Adobe Camera Raw where I can carry out my normal work flow. The produced file is impressive to say the least and I’m seriously thinking of not renewing my Topaz update purchase when the current one expires.

gwilliams6

I love Topaz Denoise AI and always keep it updated to latest version.

I extensively use PS and LR, but prefer the better Denoise performance of Topaz Denoise AI. I highly recommend it to any shooter.

Here is a 50mp Sony A1 photo , shot at ISO 1600 and cleaned up with Topaz Denoise A1 making it look like I shot it at ISO 100.

A Great White Egret bends its neck to clean its feathers on the Caribbean Island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin. Sony A1 camera, Sony 200-600mm lens, ISO 1600, 591mm, f6.3, 1/2000 sec.

First the full frame, then a tight crop from same shot.

Cheers

(Download)

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Ufauxreal wrote:

Is Topaz Sharpen AI superior to sharpen in Photoshop. There is an updated version available now. I havE, use and like Gigapixel and Topaz Denoise AI. Also, are you able to sharpen only select areas with it?
Thanks.

I just picked up Sharpen the other day. It does more than PS as it will take an image that was slightly blurred and sharpen it in an acceptable fashion. Kind of magical, actually. I've used PS to sharpen over the years and maybe I am just unaware that it, too, can do this but I suspect if that is the case that Topaz Sharpen does it better. Love it so far.