Hi Everyone,
This is a continuation of the discussion that started under: "let's all join hands." I was really impressed with the picture John posted using Neat Image. I did some further research to see what kind of reviews this software got and whether it was worth getting. It would be nice to hear from those who use this software and their thoughts. I am going to post the software link and a link to a review that seem to cover all bases on using it. After reading the review, I'm wondering Hannie what you and the others thoughts are on this. On the company's site is also downloads for whatever camera that will be used in shooting. The only downside that I came across was the slow speed of doing a batch download.
http://www.neatimage.com/index.html
http://www.creativepro.com/story/howto/22283.html
Margie
I went to http://www.neatimage.com/index.html and downloaded the free version and installed it as a stand-alone. I am still running PS7 and not quite sure it will work as a plug-in.
I tried a few pictures and it worked very well with the grainy texture of the digital photo at high ISO setting. When I used it on a couple of my most grainy restorations, it did well eliminating the grains but also some of the textures. I don't have a grainy picture with sharp edges and I could not see the blurring of the edges.
I will have to take a few pictures in low light and see how it goes.
Hi Margie,
Good idea to make a new topic, now it will be easy to find for anyone interested! I had a look at the review site, thanks for posting that link.
I use Neat Image occasionally with great results. My hesitation lies in general use of the program. There is always loss of detail, sometimes more than other. Working in a nondestructive way is high or maybe on top of my priorities list when it comes to photo restoration so I will always try to avoid using this filter if I can.
End of my sermon! :halo:
Hannie
Here is one experiment:
I took a picture of a ceramic vase on a chintz sofa under daylight with curtain drawn. The camera was my little point-and-shoot. I push the ISO to 400 to get a grainy picture. The picture size was 2272x1704 and I cropped to 1024x768.
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z298/schen_album/c1.jpg)
I used Neat Image and auto profile sampling on the neck of the vase. It greatly reduced the grainy noise.
The vase looks fine but the sofa lost the fabric texture.
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z298/schen_album/c2.jpg)
The next picture is from my DSLR with similar focal length and same aperture/shutter/ISO setting.
I wanted to feel good about the money I spent on the camera. :)
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z298/schen_album/n3.jpg)
Great experiment Chen!
I first looked at the 3 photos without reading your comments. Of course nr.3 jumps right out, brilliant colors and detail, fantastic!
I immediately disliked the second version, it is flat, lacks detail and the color seems to have a milky finish to it. I wasn't surprised to to find you used the Neat Image filter on this one. The first one really is better than the second, despite the grain and all.
Love these experiments!
:loveit:
Hannie
I use Neat Image. Though I don't use it on all projects I do use it and it does a great job.
Schen,
Thanks for the great examples. It really was a big help on the vase and as you said it did lose the texture on the sofa. This could be solved by duplicating the original layer and using Neat Image on it. With that layer, masking out the sofa would leave the texture intact. I'm also curious if the noise was more on one channel, could the filter be applied to that channel--example being the blue channel?
Bet you feel a lot better about your expensive camera! It was interesting to see the difference in color and the handling of the reflection.
Margie
MarCat,
Ok. I just read your post and tried an experiment. The answer is yes, Neat Image will run on a seperate channel if required.
Your idea of running it on a duplicate layer and masking out any parts you want intact is how I use it, if need be.
I have been told numerous times that the little point and shoot does as good a job as the DSLR. For the purpose of snapshots in the well lit conditions they are close. I was horrified to find all those missing pixels while trying to get a grainy picture in low light high ISO. From now on, I will be lugging my 4 lb. camera gears a lot more often.
Chen, there is no comparing the two cameras when I look at the images of the vase!
I have been doing all this research, reading up and practicing the settings of Neat Image and what happens?
The :mad: program refuses to work any more, every time I start Neat Image and get to the point where I have to apply the filter it disappears and freezes Photoshop. Tried everything, uninstalling, reinstalling and whatever, nothing, grrrr.
Well it is late, time to go to bed here in the low lands.
On a happier note: tonight my daughter had tickets for us to go to the Shlomo Mintz 50th Birthday concert in the Concertgebouw, this guy is unbelievable, 24 Caprices by Paganini...wow...
Hannie
I ran Neat Image stand-alone. It had no chance of freezing up Photoshop. Or at least, haven't done that yet.
:D
So I am not the only one with this problem it seems?
I can run Neat Image stand alone just fine but then it will not accept PSD files!
Hannie
Hannie,
Check out this link on Neat Image's website and see if it might help: http://www.neatimage.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6429&sid=d4bed422d3d1836c4a1dd7fa2c810972 On that page, see the 2nd post from the NITeam and there is a link under "this page." Hope this helps.
Margie
Hi Margie,
Thank you for taking the time to look that up for me! I tried it but it doesn't work. My Neat Image plug in will open, let me make a profile bur then when I click "apply" it disappears and freezes up Photoshop. >:(
Hannie
Hannie,
Have you tried sending an email to their tech support to see if they can help?
Margie
Margie I fixed the problem, deinstalled everything, took out everything to do with ABsoft/NEAT image from the Windows register, reinstalled and surprise! All is working again as it should, for how long, now that is another story. I read in a couple of reviews that this problem happens some times.
Thanks for thinking with me! :-*
Here are a few tips to reduce the plasticy look that you some times get using Neat Image.
-First, if you work in Standard Mode you can go to Noise Reduction Amounts and set the Luminance Channel between 30 an 50% (default is 60%).
-If you want to reduce noise in certain areas of the photo you can use the following
(I copied this from the Neat Image website)
1. Open the input image in your image editor;
2. Copy the input image in a new layer on top of the original image;
3. Apply Neat Image noise reduction to the top layer;
4. Adjust the transparency of the top layer so that noisy areas look fine;
5. Select and delete the areas of the top layer where filtration is not necessary or excessive (you may want to use the eraser tool with adjustable transparency and shape).
This way your image can retain detail that might be essential (e.g. sand, pattern in bricks etc.)
Hannie
Hannie,
That's great you got your problem fixed! Thanks for the tips, can't wait to try this software out.
Margie
Hi,
If you are mean, or living on a limited income and can't afford expensive programs. I qualify on both counts. ;D
Try " Picture Cooler" the free version works well and allows you to save JPG's as large files and doesn't print grids on you image as some Free/Trial-ware programs do. and the full version will cost you a Princely $15.00 to use on all your computers.
I find it works as well as Neat Image or better.It also works as a PS plug-in though I have to admit I haven't worked out how yet.
http://denoiser.shorturl.com/ (http://denoiser.shorturl.com/)
PS: Hannie the author is a countryman of yours.
Max
Hi Max,
Mean, little income and cheap! That's me! :funny:
Thanks for the link, Picture Cooler looks like a great program. The web site has some interesting links. One shows good comparisons of all the popular denoising proggies, really great hi res photos, worth reading.
Hannie