This photo is very hazy and noisy- due to taking the photo from sea level through the haze, the last of the sun’s rays at sunset and the photo being taken from a ship. I would like to see what members can achieve with haze reduction and noise control
You may only download this file to demonstrate how you would process the image. The file is Copyright of the photographer, and you must delete the raw file when you are done. Please post a jpg of what you created, explain what you did, and why you did it.
Thanks for posting the RAW. I downloaded and spent some time using various options.
I will summarize and say that I think from a noise reduction and details perpective, you did an admirable job and honestly using both DeNoise in Adobe Camera Raw AND also Topaz DeNoise AI, I don’t think was any better (or worse) that what you were able to accomplish.
I think this should be obvious to anyone looking at this, but not withstanding the high ISO noise, the original capture just doesn’t contain the detail needed to make this a pixel-peeping detailed print. This has nothing to do with your abilities, gear, etc. But simply the conditions and parameters you were shooting in and with. IE: HAZY sea-spray atmospher… pretty impossible to get detail, @600mm … from a boat… handheld @ 1/400th. (I think the rule of thumb for hand-holding is 1 / focal length. So the minimum shutter speed should be 1/600th, but probably best at like 1/1250th.
Anyway, the idea is that you were disadvantaged from the start in hopes of getting a detailed shot of the cliffs.
Which takes us back to the noise issue, for which you raised this. I wrote the above because lacking any fine detail in the original, will produce “impressionistic” artifacts regardless of what noise reduction sw you use. I saw the same/similar results as you with Photoshops denoise, and Topaz AI Denoise.
So here is my take. One thing you’ll notice right away is that my edit is quite a bit darker. IMHO, a slight reduction in exposure and/or increased contrast can give the illusion of more detail. Here is a summary of my processing:
Open in ACR (same engine as with Lightroom).
reduce exposure, increase contrast a bit, tweaked color/sat a little bit
applied Photoshop’s Denoise at about 60
Opened in PS.
Added ACR layer as Smart Object for further tweaking
Added Topaz DeNoise AI and applied (don’t remember which setting). And yes, I applied NR in both ACR and PS.
I found PS Denoise no enough, or not as good as output in this case as Topaz
Added/painted contrast on the cliffs
Used basic Levels on midtones to increase contrast.
I the end, I think you achieved better perceived sharpness and details. Noise picked up in the sky easily eliminated no matter what was used. Honestly, I’m not sure if mine is an improvement. But I certainly appreciate the exercise and opportunity!
Hi, thanks for your time. Please find attached my full size jpg. I do not have a complete 16 bit file as I tend to end my process using elements with an 8 bit final output - some things like layers are easier in photoshop. My general processing is pretty much the same as yours except I have obtained more detail in the background headland. I agree that my version is a bit too light. I also agree regarding your exposure times with a 600mm lens. I knew I was a bit long but used a bulkhead as a brace point. I was concerned the shorter exposures would lead to worse noise problems.
I am unable to use your dng as 3 programs refuse to open it and the last one shows a file identical in haze to my original. Perhaps that file posted is corrupt.
I have also posted a painting of how it was prior to being used as target practice. Pretty thoughtless.
Cape Raoul in 1856 by Louisa Anne Meredith. (Supplied: The Royal Society of Tasmania) from an article written for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
