Noise reduction in CS2

[greencardigan]

Does anyone use the noise reduction tools in PS CS2?

Up until now I've done my noise reduction in NC, but I'm wondering if I can cut NC out of my workflow.

Does CS2 handle the noise as good as NC?

[Justin]

Hi,

I tried it the first time the other day - not as good as Noise Ninja, I have not tried NC

[elffinarts]

I use the smart blur in CS2 (moderate amounts of the filter anyway) to try to reduce noise... dont really like the effect though.

[Yi-P]

There are some noise reduction action available from the net to download. You may google them around.


Choosing between NC, Noise Ninja, Neat Image, or Photoshop, I'd say noise ninja does the best job out of those.

NC tends to throw in too long processing time and may reduce sharpness seriously. Same does as Photoshop actions.

Neat image, another noise reduction program, it does a pretty good job but some residue from the reduction remains (some unpleasant edges at low contrast area), but its better than nothing.

My vote goes for Noise Ninja, reduces noise and leaves very little traces.

[Marvin]

I use neat image in cs2 and have been very happy with it.

[meicw]

I use the Neat Image PS plugin, and I, too, think it does a good job.

Regards
meicw

[stubbsy]

I've tried Noise Ninja and NeatImage and have gone back to use noise reduction in CS2 for its convenience and the fact I can tell little difference.

[beetleboy]

I also just use CS2's noise reduction. I also some times use the "Reduce Colour Noise" option in ACR on my RAW files (only if shooting at or above 800 ISO) and find it does a good job of making the noise monochromatic and easier to then deal with in PS - although be careful not to use too much otherwise it tends to desaturate your image.

Having said that..I don't tend to worry too much about noise up to 800 ISO as on the D200 it's hard to see the noise in a print.

[Big V]

I shoot with a Canon, so do not need to use it often but when I do it is neat image for me..

[greencardigan]

I've tried Noise Ninja and NeatImage and have gone back to use noise reduction in CS2 for its convenience and the fact I can tell little difference.

Stubbsy,

Do you use NC or ACR to open/convert your raw files?

What stage of your processing do you use CS2's noise reduction?

[ABG]

I've tried Noise Ninja and NeatImage and have gone back to use noise reduction in CS2 for its convenience and the fact I can tell little difference.

Could you please detail what steps you take in CS2 Peter, or do you use an action?

[elffinarts]

I shoot with a Canon, so do not need to use it often but when I do it is neat image for me..

want to rub some salt in that?

was looking at a co-worker's Canon 5D and it has less noise at ISO3200 than my D70 does at ISO800. Very depressing!

[stubbsy]

I've tried Noise Ninja and NeatImage and have gone back to use noise reduction in CS2 for its convenience and the fact I can tell little difference.

Could you please detail what steps you take in CS2 Peter, or do you use an action?

Andrew

Almost forgot to respond to this. My basic settings are:

Settings: Default
Strength: 10
Preserve Details: 55%
Reduce Colour Noise: 10%
Sharpen Details: 40%
Remove JPEG artifact: Off

I then tweak them slightly depending on the image

[greencardigan]

Peter, is the noise reduction the first thing you do when PP?

[stubbsy]

Peter, is the noise reduction the first thing you do when PP?

No - the very last thing - AFTER I've resized the image for the web

[greencardigan]

Peter, is the noise reduction the first thing you do when PP?

No - the very last thing - AFTER I've resized the image for the web

Interesting. I always try and remove any noise first up.

[mark]

Peter, is the noise reduction the first thing you do when PP?

No - the very last thing - AFTER I've resized the image for the web

That makes sense to me Stubbsy. Often some steps taken in pp'ing create a little noise. I haven't been doing it last, but I'm going to review my workflow to see how it goes. Thanks for the tip.

[plugsnpixels]

I posted comparisons of various noise reduction options as applied to a film scan here.

IMO, NoiseNinja and Noiseware did the best job. I didn't find Photoshop's native noise reduction very good in this case.

[Yi-P]

I find reducing noise at larger resolution size after the PP and then resizing gives better and sharper image output. Or its just me...

[greencardigan]

I find reducing noise at larger resolution size after the PP and then resizing gives better and sharper image output. Or its just me...

I do it before resizing too.

[Matt. K]

Nikon Capture NX has an excellent NR system.

[greencardigan]

Nikon Capture NX has an excellent NR system.

Matt, can you comment on how it compares to the NR in CS2?

My original question was based on getting Nikon Capture out of my workflow.