Dealing with High ISO images: AI-based noise reduction software for photography
Blue-chested hummingbird on the grounds at Tranquilo Bay, Panama. Photographed at ISO 12,800 and processed with Adobe Lightroom Classic and DXO Pure Raw 3.
We’re back this week as Jason has returned from his photo safari to Isla Bastimentos in Panama. Many of Jason’s images were captured at ISOs well above ISO 6400. Today we’ll discuss the latest AI-based tools for noise removal, including Adobe Lightroom, DXO Pure Raw 3, and Topaz Photo AI. All of these tools are excellent, but we use them differently depending on our workflow needs.
Photo AI is the newest Topaz plug-in, and it combines sharpening, noise reduction, and upscaling features in a single application that uses AI-based technology to deliver impressive results. In this presentation, I discuss the software and several use cases for how to incorporate it into your own photography workflow.
Topaz Photo AI is part of the Topaz Image Quality Bundle, which is available here.
We found that although all three of these programs did a good job removing noise, there were some significant differences in workflow between the products. Listen to hear which of these tools came out on top, and why!
Luminar from Macphun can be used to create dramatic effects and is an effective replacement for many Nik Collection plug-ins.
With the recent announcement that Google will no longer support the Nik Collection, I’ve started using Macphun’s suite of editing tools more and more frequently. Most specifically, I’ve jumped feet-first into their newest editor, Luminar. I’ve found it to be an excellent choice for photographers who are familiar with the Nik Collection suite. You can read my initial thoughts on Luminar here.
Here’s why I’m moving to Macphun:
Macphun Software applications use the latest technologies for image adjustments and special effects
Macphun products are compatible with Lightroom and Photoshop, plus you can use Luminar as a stand-alone editor (it even opens most RAW files)
Luminar offers a full complement of tools and effects filters that in many cases replace multiple Nik plug-ins, including Color Efex Pro 4 and Silver Efex Pro 2.
Built-in layer support for selective editing and effects partitioning.
Smart “erase” and noise-reduction tools, along with clone stamp
Smart Filter support in Adobe Photoshop
Luminar for Windows will be released this fall
It’s a full-featured image editor with lots of effects filters for under $60
While there are several Macphun software plug-ins available for Mac users (and they are excellent), Luminar is so incredibly flexible that it can take the place of most of the other filters, provided you know where to look. Because Luminar is coming to Windows, too, it’s the one Macphun product I think you should be familiar with. Here are some tips for getting the most out of Luminar. Continue reading Moving to Macphun: Tips for Nik Users→
Luminar from Macphun: A full-featured plug-in with lots of Nik DNA.
As most of you know, the future of the Nik Collection is in jeopardy as Google is no longer planning to support the software. While that doesn’t mean it will stop working immediately, it does mean that updates to your OS or to Photoshop/Lightroom may cause issues in the future.
I really do love my Nik plug-ins, and I don’t plan to stop using them in the short term. But I do accept the future, and in looking for an alternative, I’ve found that the Macphun software plug-ins are very good, especially their newest all-around editor, Luminar. My only hesitation for recommending these products is that they have been MacOS only. However, that’s changing as of today! Continue reading Luminar: The Nik Software Replacement?→
