Finessing Lightroom Denoise

[Woodstock]

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I recently came across a YouTube posting by Steve Perry entitled “Lightroom Denoise Secrets” which I would recommend for anyone wanting to make the most of the relatively recently introduced LR noise reduction/sharpening process. Although his examples are based on high ISO wildlife images which are hardly favoured Q3 territory, it does have much transferable learning, certainly for those who, like me, have previously tended to apply this control in a fairly blunderbuss manner!

 

[SrMi]

It's a 45-minute video; could you please summarize it? Also, the thread should be moved to the Digital Post Processing Forum.

[LocalHero1953]

Given the (small) number of controls for denoise, both AI and traditional, I find it a better use of my time to work it out for myself than watch a 45 minute video to find that the maker knows no more about it than I know already.

Without better clickbait, I'll pass.

Edited April 12, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[ilovecayin]

Guys, @Woodstock just gave a hint for interested people... 

Since there is surely not "one setting" for denoising which works for all situations, it´s better to look at a workflow. And this - you can do with the above mentioned video. 

If you want to learn "a" workflow, look at the video. If you want to work it out for yourself with trial an error, do it. 

 

Thanks Woodstock for the video-hint.  

Regards

Kai 

  

[Woodstock]

I am sorry that this seems to have stirred up somewhat of a hornet's nest. My apologies for inadvertently posting in the wrong section of the forum.

[Sharpshooter]

7 minutes ago, Woodstock said:

I am sorry that this seems to have stirred up somewhat of a hornet's nest. My apologies for inadvertently posting in the wrong section of the forum.

Hornets will do what hornets do.

Thanks for the heads-up Woodstock.

[LocalHero1953]

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33 minutes ago, Woodstock said:

I am sorry that this seems to have stirred up somewhat of a hornet's nest. My apologies for inadvertently posting in the wrong section of the forum.

I have no problem with your post. I hope no one minds me explaining why I will not be watching. 

[SrMi]

6 hours ago, Woodstock said:

I am sorry that this seems to have stirred up somewhat of a hornet's nest. My apologies for inadvertently posting in the wrong section of the forum.

I see no hornet nest being stirred. It is helpful to share the link to the video (see below). I assumed you had watched it and hoped you could share some points that make the video worth spending 45 minutes on.

 

[Woodstock]

Summary as requested:

1. The importance of sharpness in the original image to avoid Denoise worsening rather than improving things

2. Minor improvements by using Denoise early in the editing process 

3. Unlike most noise reduction software, using modest sharpening prior to Denoise whilst masking the background to allow easier judgement as to the appropriate level of Denoise to apply

4. Ways of judging the interaction of Denoise and sharpening tools to allow best results

5. Methodology of using AI masking of background in conjunction with various detail palette tools to further improve background noise

As I mentioned originally, his examples are in wildlife/bird images at high ISO and with the subject relatively isolated from the background, and therefore probably not directly relevant for much Q3 usage, but I think the principles he espouses could be useful in any high ISO circumstances. They certainly make me think that for non tripod work I might be willing to use a faster shutter speed than my normal approach and let the ISO float higher. Your mileage may vary.

[SrMi]

1 minute ago, Woodstock said:

Summary as requested:

1. The importance of sharpness in the original image to avoid Denoise worsening rather than improving things

2. Minor improvements by using Denoise early in the editing process 

3. Unlike most noise reduction software, using modest sharpening prior to Denoise whilst masking the background to allow easier judgement as to the appropriate level of Denoise to apply

4. Ways of judging the interaction of Denoise and sharpening tools to allow best results

5. Methodology of using AI masking of background in conjunction with various detail palette tools to further improve background noise

As I mentioned originally, his examples are in wildlife/bird images at high ISO and with the subject relatively isolated from the background, and therefore probably not directly relevant for much Q3 usage, but I think the principles he espouses could be useful in any high ISO circumstances. They certainly make me think that for non tripod work I might be willing to use a faster shutter speed than my normal approach and let the ISO float higher. Your mileage may vary.

Thank you. I will make time to watch his entire video.

[Pindy]

On 4/13/2024 at 2:12 AM, Woodstock said:

Summary as requested:

1. The importance of sharpness in the original image to avoid Denoise worsening rather than improving things

2. Minor improvements by using Denoise early in the editing process 

3. Unlike most noise reduction software, using modest sharpening prior to Denoise whilst masking the background to allow easier judgement as to the appropriate level of Denoise to apply

4. Ways of judging the interaction of Denoise and sharpening tools to allow best results

5. Methodology of using AI masking of background in conjunction with various detail palette tools to further improve background noise

As I mentioned originally, his examples are in wildlife/bird images at high ISO and with the subject relatively isolated from the background, and therefore probably not directly relevant for much Q3 usage, but I think the principles he espouses could be useful in any high ISO circumstances. They certainly make me think that for non tripod work I might be willing to use a faster shutter speed than my normal approach and let the ISO float higher. Your mileage may vary.

Thank you. I tried to watch the video in its entirety but it was not chaptered and the guy is long-winded. Is he saying that Denoise is somehow downstream of capture sharpening? And if this is true, it must only use the current state of sharpening for its denoise algorithm, since you are able to continue to alter this feature (meaning, it is not baked in). 

[jaapv]

It appears to me that he is describing a simplified simulation of Topaz Photo AI which does a better job in a few clicks and seconds.