The best in noise reduction?

Fenster

I photographed a wedding banquet at a venue last night who did not permit flash photography. The images I came home with were adequately lit, sharp, focused and captured the subjects wonderfully. But...but there is a hazy miasma caused by shooting at ISO 3200. I'm a little out of my league in recovering this image as I do almost all of my conventional shooting in full daylight and at ISO 100-500. Here's a sample image, along with the raw file if anyone wants to take a crack at it (click through the photo):

Borderfox

For me Topaz is the best noise reduction software, I will have a go and post it up.

Not too bad and most of the noise wont print either..

oshead

A video light might have been acceptable for them. Anyway, heres Noiseware Pro using the high Noise setting. I also added a bit of range using Shadow/Highlight in PS. I didn't sharpen it.

melekalikimaka

i use noise ninja...find its good but softens a tad

Anouilh

This blog gives some useful comparisons:

http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com/2008/10/noise-reduction-face-off-neat-image.html

I have used the stand-alone freeware version of Neat Image with success. If you hit the tags added to this thread, you will find another thread that discusses noise and grain.

Neat Image can make a photo very syrupy looking, but with practice it is good.

DaireQuinlan

Anouilh wrote: »

This blog gives some useful comparisons:

http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com/2008/10/noise-reduction-face-off-neat-image.html

I have used the stand-alone freeware version of Neat Image with success. If you hit the tags added to this thread, you will find another thread that discusses noise and grain.

Neat Image can make a photo very syrupy looking, but with practice it is good.

Yeah ditto, I've used NeatImage aswell, the freeware version allows you to do everything except save to 16bit, you can save out full quality JPGs though. It allows complete control over the noise reduction in terms of the channels you want to apply it to, the differing reduction on the various different amplitudes of noise etc etc. Never used any other tool so can't really compare. And yes, it can certainly reduce your images to plasticky looking crap, but only if you want it to, and you can mess around to your hearts content with the preview to try out different settings.

Borderfox

Checked the exif on the shot and it says ISO 1250 and 1/25th?

First one is taking it straight from camera raw and using topaz exposure comp and topaz de noise


Second one is using a bit of brightening in camera raw and then guy gowans retouch actions and topaz de noise

kumate_champ07

I'd maybe use noise ninja and use the brush tool to being back detail/noise in the hair

Right now I mostly use the noise reduction in lightroom, I dont use much if any at iso 1600 for web pics. but printing is a diff story

I prefer having noise and detail rather than no noise and smudged detail

Borderfox

I use a preset in topaz for a customer of mine and all the shots are taken at ISO 1600-3200 and using a 5d come out clean as a whistle

Fireman

This is my attempt!!!

AnimalRights

I think Fireman's is best simply because there is not as much detail lost, the cellulite is still in the Woman's leg on the left, although she'd probably prefer the other attempts. :pac:

houseoffun14

Noiseware Pro, excellent software when used correctly.

Borderfox

the shot looks around 1 to 2 stops under and if the exif is correct shot borderline on the handheld limit, for me I would have had the primes out long before this. Just my two cents.

Fenster

oshead wrote: »

A video light might have been acceptable for them. Anyway, heres Noiseware Pro using the high Noise setting. I also added a bit of range using Shadow/Highlight in PS. I didn't sharpen it.

Our of all the finishes I've seen, the work by Noiseware Pro seems the best by far. I will definitely give the program a gander, thank you everyone!