DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Playing with Neat Image
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 6 of 6, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 04/03/2005 11:22:25 AM · #1
I just downloaded Neat Image and was playing around. I see a definite improvement in some of my photos (mostly in the background/sky) Probably as a result of the high noise of the Panasonic line of cameras. I don̢۪t know if I necessarily think it̢۪s a tool to be used on every photo (I like a little grain sometimes for character) but as an example of a photo I think was improved I give you one of my challenge entries. What do you think, better or worse?

Challenge Entry:


Neat Imaged challenge Entry:
04/03/2005 11:25:44 AM · #2
I can tell a slight difference. It looks good. Good luck and have fun with it.
 04/03/2005 11:51:00 AM · #3
I think the original was great and the NEAT imaged version is only marginally better.

Message edited by author 2005-04-03 11:51:59.
 04/03/2005 11:54:26 AM · #4
If anything the original is a hair better, the NI version has picked up a little contrast in the stump detail. The BG may be marginally "better" in the NI version but it's a matter of taste and I prefer the slightly grainier effect of the original here.

Robt.
 04/03/2005 10:57:03 PM · #5
It's funny how everything is subjective. I have been playing for a couple of hours in Photoshop, learning by experimentation. I think I've been doing it for so long now I no longer have any objectivity. I have a couple of pictures I was considering for the Free Study but now I can't even decide which variations I like. =) This digital darkroom stuff is killing me.
 04/03/2005 11:51:02 PM · #6
Originally posted by BeingClever:
I just downloaded Neat Image and was playing around...

Challenge Entry:


Neat Imaged challenge Entry:

Agreed, for the web there is little significant difference between the two images.

Like your camera mine produces noise in images that I want to remove which is different from artistic and intentional "grain". Few images need that.

If used correctly NI is a flexible and powerful tool for noise reduction. I use it on most of my images, especially for prints. But it can and is overused. Subtle detail can be lost and give an image a case of the "smoothies" which is not good.

My evolution with NI leads me to these suggestions:
1-Take images at correct exposure values. Underexposed images produce far more noise than properly exposed ones. Curves can be used to achieve deeper color effects of underexposed images.

2-NI is great for removing noise in soft focused areas.

3-Experiment with the controls to fully understand them and what they do.

4-Try to find a set of camera specific NI filters you can use rather than let NI calculate the noise reduction itself from the image.

5-For images that need it, apply NI first before much of anything else.

6-Look for obvious problem areas and review the image closely looking for the "smoothies" and loss of important fine detail at about 100-200% image size. Make control setting changes as needed and re-apply.

7-If there is still fine detail you are losing that you want then, as a final resort, you can add a mask to the NI layer and use a soft brush at an appropriate opacity on the mask to reveal the fine detail below to the degree desired.

Message edited by author 2005-04-03 23:53:57.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 09/16/2025 07:20:08 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/16/2025 07:20:08 AM EDT.