Reducing Noise with Neat Image

Saturday September 17, 2011

Reducing Noise with:

Neat Image

     Noise is a term that refers to unwanted granularity. Noise can also refer to the highly-irregular pixels that you get when you photograph night scenes. What happens then is that some pixels "misbehave" because the CPU (computer) and the software in the camera, sometimes malfunctions in the dark areas. However, lately, camera manufacturers have greatly reduced this problem. The unwanted granularity  usually shows up as small sand-like particles, as well as the 3 primary colours (Red, Green, and Blue) separating. Rather than have a smooth and uniform area, you will get the noise.

      As with most of my other instalments, I like to take "baby steps" to explain a software. Personally, I find that many reviews or books on software speed through the software, and steps are omitted. Also, most reviews in my opinion are too sparse" and rely on basically copying each other, as the reviewer cannot possibly learn the software enough to go into detail. Deadlines need to be met, and 200 reviews a year would put any reviewer out-of-touch with being able to learn the software! When that happens, I just can't follow the explanations or instructions!  So let me introduce Neat Image software to you - my way again!

Their Web Address 

Their Icon

The Opening Window

Before Using Neat Image, I used Photoshop to correct the distortion on the left side of the image.

I also enhanced the background flora which was too light.

The finished image with improved parallel verticals, as well as a 

much-improved tonality in the background.

This will be my starting point for Neat Image.

The Starting Image

Notice the "noise" in the upper left and right corners.

The ABSoft team recommends to use the "most noisy area" to produce a noise profile.

"Select an area with strongest noise and then click Auto Profile to build a profile". 

The area, to be uniform, must contain only noise and no detail.

Step 1: Opening the Image

Step 2: Going to my Folder to get the Input Image.

  The next step in the process:Device Noise Profile

Step 3

Choose a Profile: Once you become familiar with Neat Image, you will create what are called "profiles". 


"These are some kind of measurements of the actual noise in the image;like a measurement taken by a tailor from a client" 
(Thanks to the ABSoft Team for their help in reading my write-up).  

Since I didn't have any profiles, you can have Neat Image work without one!

This is a good idea, since you will build up your own profiles form your own personal experience, rather than have the software come with pre-determined" profiles. 

Step 4

You can place a rectangle shape over part of the image,

 you get to the "Device Noise Profile" step of Neat Image.

Notice how a "warning" comes up to inform you that the defined are is "not uniform".

I've repositioned the rectangle to capture a "uniform area"

T

You can enlarge the size of the area with the pull of the mouse.

Here is another position of the rectangle.

The Unfiltered  Image

The Filtered Image.

You can place the cursor (pointer) on the term Filter and press to reveal the unfiltered image.

You'll need to enlarge the area to actually any "visible  change".

This is the unfiltered image.

Step 5: The Adjustment Panel

Notice that I moved the sliders to 100% positions.

I left the "sharpening" slider alone, as that only worsens the noise.

If you examine the "filtered image" above, you'll notice a "smoothing" of the granularity.

Step 6: Output the Image

This step allows Nice Image to process the image to reduce the noise levels.

This is the whole image after filtering.

The final image.
Just to remind you, you will not see huge changes!
You need to magnify the image to see any changes up close.

     Because all software is based on mathematics, there are infinite possibilities to enhance and improve your images. 

However, the best advise that I can offer as a photographer is to photograph the image or scene as best as you can. That's what professional photographers are paid for. They've had the experience to carry with them from assignment to assignment.

In the image above, a few battery-operated and radio-frequency controlled triggers would have placed additional light into the shadows areas where the noise was. That would have easily solved the problem.

When you can't solve the problem in the studio or on location, then thankfully, we have the software to be able to handle the "problem.

In this case, we have Nice Image!

Here is another  Image to work with.

Step I: Open the Image 

Step 2: Devise Noise Profile

A square appears, and you have to have it "uniform". That means if you get a warning in red that reads "area not uniform", you need to move the square or reduce its' size.

What this move does is to be able to have the software get rid of the noise in a uniform manner, hnece its' needing a "good reading"

In this image, notice how I've reduced the "profile area".

It now appears yellow, which means OK.

Step 3: Save the profile

It didn't take me long to figure out what a "profile was".

Here, I've saved it to use on another photo if needed.

If I ever had another image with similar "noise" such as tree bark in shadow, 

this "profile" would be good for that image.

Step 4: Output the Image

The finished image

Without the Filtration (Remove Noise)

With the filtration.

This resulted in smoothing out and getting rid of the "noise".

I decided to take the image and work on it in Photoshop.

I sharpened up the texture of the wood panel door as you can see from the menu.

That seemed to work well.

I would like to thank Vlad fromm the Neat Image Team (ABSoft) for proofreading this instalment, 
and offering some suggestions. 
This is always a great benefit.