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06/15/2003 11:26:59 PM · #1 |
I just found this little filter in PS7 and need to know if it is DPC legal. It acts very much like neatimage and does little more (that I can see) than clean up noise.
If you want to see the affects, I'll post links to pics for comparison.
Thanks.
Shari
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06/16/2003 01:23:12 AM · #2 |
I don't know if it's legal or not, but I'd like to know more about it. I can't use Neatimage cause I'm on a Mac, so I'd like to find a suitable substitue.
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06/16/2003 01:34:06 AM · #3 |
Whether it would be considered legal or not depends on whether it's viewed as noise reduction, in which case it almost definitely is legal, or as an effects filter, in which case it almost definitely is not.
IMHO, it is not a substitute for NeatImage, however. NeatImage is a much more sophisticated algorithm. I've played around with Smart Blur a bit, and have not found a use for it to this point. |
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06/16/2003 03:23:43 AM · #4 |
still wondering on that NeatImage. I too, am on Mac, but does it not select areas of the picture?
In regards to cleaning up your images on Mac...get PhotoKit 1.1 (for Photoshop...most of it works on Photoshop Elements and they are making a specific one for that). You can demo it for free. I am using PSE2.
I did some portraits for 3 familys and stumbled on this technique with Photokit (only tried it on portraits though). And is not DPC legal cuz it uses layers and they are adjusted by percentages, etc. using the technique below (even though I am almost positive the diffusion/fog and a bunch others in the kit are totally legal--the noise reduction on this is not legal though)
Here are 3 examples. 1st is the original. 2 is the final color (with the blemish on the chin removed and some darkness under the eyes dodged out) using the technique below. 3 is my fav of them, with a sepia and the "tinting" aspect used. They did not order one of these so I had to throw it in since it looked like a "head shot."
example1 example2 example3
but here goes
Open picture, make a layer copy (in the Layer WIndow) of the original and make some preliminary levels adjustments, just to get it close. Go (File/Automation Tools/PhotoKit), select Photo Effects on the upper dropdown menu, and then Diffusion 1-4 (I like 4, can always adjust percentage later) on the lower dropdown menu. You can also do a Fog diffusion layer with this or as an alternate (fog lightens, diffusion darkens, they can be used on top of each other to create an even more soft look) After it renders, click OFF the "eye" or show/draw layer in the Layers window (of the Diffusion Layer and click the Original copy.
Go to PhotoKit again and Tone Correction and then Contrast Mask #1-3. Turn off the Originals Copy or toss it after rendering.
On the Contrast Mask Layer go to Photokit again and then Color to B&W. Select Orange Contrast (or whatever type ya want, but I have found Orange works great on almost everything (hits bits of the red and the yellow contrast)).
Drag the BW layer between the Contrast Mask and the Diffusion 4 layers. Select the BW, then switch it to to Screen and then adjust the percentage level to preferred (between 5-55% from my experience, usually about 15%) brightness contrast levels. It seems to really lighten out the dark and underexposed areas, without overexposing alot of the rest of the image.
You can adjust the percentage level on the diffusion lower or higher to your tastes.
Also, I found that you are able to sharpen it up a bit also, by clicking on the Diffusion layer, going to Enhance/Adjust Lighting/then either Backlighting or Fill Flash (Fill seems to work better most of the time).
Additonal contrast and color tweaking can be done to the Contrast Mask Layer or even the Orange Contrast layer (contrast that is). You also end up with a copy of a B&W image if ya need and are saving in PSD. And also tinted looking photos can be achieved by turning off the Contrast Mask layer.
Too much info? I wish I had a regular version on PS to record this and make it much easier, but someday when I am rich.
Ouch! Carpal tunnel. Well, hope someone will get something outta that.
tracy
Message edited by author 2003-06-16 03:29:26.
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06/16/2003 09:29:59 AM · #5 |
I'm still hoping for a response from the site admins on this one. I would like to have this tool available for noise reduction.
Shari
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06/16/2003 09:32:58 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by dacrazyrn:
still wondering on that NeatImage. I too, am on Mac, but does it not select areas of the picture? |
NeatImage isn't selective when applied. Regarding its legality, it's listed specifically in the rules as "ok" to use. :)
M
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06/16/2003 10:03:46 AM · #7 |
With Neatimage you make a selection within the image to determine the degree of noise reduction you want and then you apply it to the whole image. In essence, when making that selection it's pretty much the same as selecting certain value on say Unsharp Mask. Therefore, there really is no need to question the legality.
Smart Blur isn't allowed as of now. Every now and then, we go through the discussions to allow this or that. Once we allow an additional filter, pretty soon there's a suggestion to also allow something else. I'm really sorry we are not allowed to use Dodge & Burn for submissions here. The general fear always seems to be that some people might go haywire and start submitting pics that are more like digital art. My feeling is, allow everything and then let the voters decide what they find acceptable or not. |
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06/16/2003 11:21:10 AM · #8 |
I guess you can apply Photokit's noise reduction feature to the whole image as well, but I wasn't using it in the way you've described here. I demo'd it once and didn't find it that powerful, but after reading your post, Tracy, I think I'll have to give it another try. Thanks Tracy for a very clear, and useful tutorial!
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06/16/2003 05:32:26 PM · #9 |
thanks Mav and Journey for the clarification on NeatImage. I have just never seen it, but the ones I have seen, seem to do some area selections to "mask" it off. For example (Sage) I have never been able to get PhotoKits noise reduction to do the whole image. It always seems to make selection areas of pixels not to be despeckled. hmmm
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