In this tutorial, I demonstrate how Lightroom's Denoise, Raw Detail, and Super Resolution compare to Topaz Labs Photo AI 2. Checkout my Lightroom Training - The ULTIMATE Lightroom Classic Course: www.anthonymorganti.com/ Save $10 with Discount Code: TENOFF Check out the Topaz Labs Photo AI here: bit.ly/44VxLrq Here is more about Lightroom's Denoise, Raw Detail, and Super Resolution: helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/enhance-details.html To get more info about Lightroom, go here: prf.hn/l/lGnjDBl I am an Adobe and Topaz Labs affiliate and will earn a commission if you use their links directly above and purchase anything. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement: onlinephotographytraining.com/code-of-ethics/ Please subscribe to my newsletter! anthonymorganti.substack.com/subscribe Contact Info: Anthony Morganti P.O. Box 805 Buffalo, New York 14220 Check out one of my newer websites - The Best in Photography: bestinphotography.com/ Here is the list of my recommended software, along with any discount codes I might have: wp.me/P9QUvD-ozx Here is a list of my current cameras, lenses, etc.: wp.me/P9QUvD-ozG Help me help others learn photography. You can quickly offer your support here, where I receive 100% of your kind gift: ko-fi.com/anthonymorganti You can change the default amount to the amount you want to donate.
I've made this comment before and I'll make it again: even when I think I know plenty about the topic you're addressing in a video, I always learn something new from you. Thank you again Anthony.
According to the Adobe blog that introduced Denoise AI RAW details processing is incorporated into the noise reduction which is why it is greyed out with box checked.
As a wildlife photographer I have to say Photo AI is an indispensable tool in my toolbox. Even with a 200-600mm lens on an APS-C body there still never seems to be enough reach. I love the product for my bird shots. Thanks for the video!
Thank you Anthony. Great demo of attributes/performance of Topaz AI! I love the one stop shop of Topaz AI. I think the sharpen Standard V2 is much improved, good sharpness but not as crunchy.
I use Photo AI 2 every day. I have tried the LR denoise but on my old computer it takes about twice as long just to do the denoise as Photo AI does for all the possible settings on at the same time. I was pretty happy with the LR denoise output though.
Great video as always. I use LR and PS and was on the fence of getting Topaz Photo AI. I will be ordering it. BTW, does Topaz have many updates during the year?
Thank you Mr M. This is a great demo of the two pieces of software. Luckily I have both of them and I prefer noise reduction, sharpening and up scaling in Topaz Photo AI, because it offers so much more over LRC.
If it helps I have all the above and I use LR denoise where the image is sharp and no up scaling needed. But if sharpening of subject or up scaling needed then I use PhotoAi and it does fine. It failed to do a good job on a friend’s old pre digital family photo and is used Gigapixel. It worked. So in summary I almost never need any of the other Topaz products now. But I do use LR Denoise where needed as it works fine most of the time for high ISO images
Helpful as always. I see that On1 is coming out with a new version of AI noise and sharpening. Have you seen a beta of this? Any chance it will be as good as Topaz for us On1 users? For obvious reasons, I'm trying to avoid creating multiple files gobbling up huge amounts of storage. Thanks!
Hi Anthony - you're my #1 source for Lightroom tips, but with this video I believe you missed the opportunity to include the option to add sharpening to a Lightroom AI denoised image via Lightroom's standard sharpening tools. I do this all the time. And what's more - it's my experience that once an image has been processed with Lightroom's AI denoise technology its ability to be sharped with standard sharpening tools is significantly increased. Also, if oversampling (resolution enhancement) is needed, I can always send the image to Photoshop to achieve this and bring it back in (albeit as a TIFF). Of course, I haven't compared end results with what I'm suggesting as compared to Topaz, but I've been so impressed with Lightroom's AI based denoise together with it's legacy sharpening that happy to not have to include an additional processing software in my workflow.
I have been using Topaz Photo AI quite a bit lately but your video brought out some new techniques for me, thanks. Does Photo AI supplant DeNoiseAI, GigapixelAI and Sharpen AI now? I don't seem to be getting updates for them as I do for Photo AI.
The thing is that if you have Adobe, most if not all of the functions found in many of the other competing products, can be done in Adobe's products (either LR, LR Classic or Photoshop). The question really becomes how much time do you want to spend doing such tasks? For example, you can resize in Photoshop, but the process is not always intuitive. Same for sharpening photos (which can be done in LR/LR Classic and Photoshop) but some of the plug-ins and programs from third parties just make the process faster and less tedious (as some programs can batch process, which is harder to do in programs like Photoshop). So it really comes down to convenience and "speed" (speed being your time and effort)... are you willing to pay extra for that? I think for those who don't want to spend the money, DeNoise AI in LR is very good, it's not the best out ther (I still feel DXO does a bit better job especially with small detail retention particularly in patterns or textures) but it's a huge step from what we had previously (the manual NR options in LR).
Unfortunately the Raw workflow doesn't like OM Systems ORF Raw files. It introduces a yellow/green cast which is an added step to remove that can get tedious with many edits. I still use the tiff right click for speed as no cast is introduced, also the sharpen AI section will, more often than not, introduce annoying artifacts which are not present [ usually] , when processing in Denoise AI.
So far, my assessment (very amateurish) is that Photo AI generally does a better job at noise reduction than the new LRC denoise feature. I often try both. Then it's easy to compare the two .dngs side by side.
I think is actually automatically ON when you select DEnoise... if you look, the check mark is ON when it's greyed out. When you unchecked it, and you clicked denoise, it came ON and greyed out... maybe something to clarify with Adobe?
I think Topez photo AI and Hitpaw are both 100% necessary. Nothing else colorizes black and white photos as good as hitpaw. I upscale with topez and do color timing with it and I have photoshop too.
Very convincing. With all those improvements we can hope that Topaz Photo AI one fantastic day will be able to do basic noise reduction on high contrast details in the unsharp background without creating artifacts or what looks like double contours. It is strange that such an important detail for making the product appealing to landscape photographers still seems to be unattended. Talking about missing attention: Face masks are dangerous to wear, they slowly degrade the immune system of the victims, while the seller profits.
Lightroom Denoise DOES work on iPhone photos taken using the Lightroom camera. Good for those of us that do a significant amount of photography on our iPhones. That said, I still prefer Topaz Photo AI for noise reduction and sharpening.
It's incomprehensible to me that Adobe would implement a key feature (enhance) in their primary photo editing application (Lightroom) that DOESN'T WORK ON ADOBE'S NATIVE RAW FORMAT...aka DNG. STUPID!
Because I am a snob, and I don't thousands of crappy wedding photos and baby photos; thus, because I do high-quality, artsy-fartsy photography, I prefer Topaz Photo AI.
In this tutorial, I demonstrate how Lightroom's Denoise, Raw Detail, and Super Resolution compare to Topaz Labs Photo AI 2.
Checkout my Lightroom Training - The ULTIMATE Lightroom Classic Course:
www.anthonymorganti.com/
Save $10 with Discount Code: TENOFF
Check out the Topaz Labs Photo AI here:
bit.ly/44VxLrq
Here is more about Lightroom's Denoise, Raw Detail, and Super Resolution:
helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/enhance-details.html
To get more info about Lightroom, go here:
prf.hn/l/lGnjDBl
I am an Adobe and Topaz Labs affiliate and will earn a commission if you use their links directly above and purchase anything. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement:
onlinephotographytraining.com/code-of-ethics/
Please subscribe to my newsletter!
anthonymorganti.substack.com/subscribe
Contact Info:
Anthony Morganti
P.O. Box 805
Buffalo, New York 14220
Check out one of my newer websites - The Best in Photography:
bestinphotography.com/
Here is the list of my recommended software, along with any discount codes I might have:
wp.me/P9QUvD-ozx
Here is a list of my current cameras, lenses, etc.:
wp.me/P9QUvD-ozG
Help me help others learn photography. You can quickly offer your support here, where I receive 100% of your kind gift:
ko-fi.com/anthonymorganti
You can change the default amount to the amount you want to donate.
I've made this comment before and I'll make it again: even when I think I know plenty about the topic you're addressing in a video, I always learn something new from you. Thank you again Anthony.
Exactly why I watch videos like this. I've learned. There's always more I can learn
According to the Adobe blog that introduced Denoise AI RAW details processing is incorporated into the noise reduction which is why it is greyed out with box checked.
As a wildlife photographer I have to say Photo AI is an indispensable tool in my toolbox. Even with a 200-600mm lens on an APS-C body there still never seems to be enough reach. I love the product for my bird shots. Thanks for the video!
Thank you Anthony. Great demo of attributes/performance of Topaz AI! I love the one stop shop of Topaz AI. I think the sharpen Standard V2 is much improved, good sharpness but not as crunchy.
Your content is always clear, concise and to the point. As a novice LR user it is exactly what I need. Thank you
I use Photo AI 2 every day. I have tried the LR denoise but on my old computer it takes about twice as long just to do the denoise as Photo AI does for all the possible settings on at the same time. I was pretty happy with the LR denoise output though.
Great video as always. I use LR and PS and was on the fence of getting Topaz Photo AI. I will be ordering it. BTW, does Topaz have many updates during the year?
Thank you Mr M. This is a great demo of the two pieces of software. Luckily I have both of them and I prefer noise reduction, sharpening and up scaling in Topaz Photo AI, because it offers so much more over LRC.
Great question. Even better an awesome answer. Thanks, this is a very helpful tutorial!!!
I guess my follow on question is if I have photo Ai does it replace sharpen, noise Ai and gigapixel ? Is there any difference
Same question here
If it helps I have all the above and I use LR denoise where the image is sharp and no up scaling needed. But if sharpening of subject or up scaling needed then I use PhotoAi and it does fine. It failed to do a good job on a friend’s old pre digital family photo and is used Gigapixel. It worked. So in summary I almost never need any of the other Topaz products now. But I do use LR Denoise where needed as it works fine most of the time for high ISO images
Very good tutorial Anthony … useful and informative.
Many thanks 👍
Helpful as always. I see that On1 is coming out with a new version of AI noise and sharpening. Have you seen a beta of this? Any chance it will be as good as Topaz for us On1 users? For obvious reasons, I'm trying to avoid creating multiple files gobbling up huge amounts of storage. Thanks!
Great video Anthony!!
yep...you sold me. I'm purchasing the Black Friday Deal right now.
I learned something here,,,thank you Anthony.
Hi Anthony - you're my #1 source for Lightroom tips, but with this video I believe you missed the opportunity to include the option to add sharpening to a Lightroom AI denoised image via Lightroom's standard sharpening tools. I do this all the time. And what's more - it's my experience that once an image has been processed with Lightroom's AI denoise technology its ability to be sharped with standard sharpening tools is significantly increased. Also, if oversampling (resolution enhancement) is needed, I can always send the image to Photoshop to achieve this and bring it back in (albeit as a TIFF). Of course, I haven't compared end results with what I'm suggesting as compared to Topaz, but I've been so impressed with Lightroom's AI based denoise together with it's legacy sharpening that happy to not have to include an additional processing software in my workflow.
Thanks for this great video!
I have been using Topaz Photo AI quite a bit lately but your video brought out some new techniques for me, thanks. Does Photo AI supplant DeNoiseAI, GigapixelAI and Sharpen AI now? I don't seem to be getting updates for them as I do for Photo AI.
Beginner question. Do you edit basic correction in lightroom first then go photo ai or otherway around?thanks
At 8:14 you say go to photo but you should have said file. The plugin menus are in file not photo.
Do you not like the sharpening slider right above the LR noise reduction? Does it not do a good job for you?
The thing is that if you have Adobe, most if not all of the functions found in many of the other competing products, can be done in Adobe's products (either LR, LR Classic or Photoshop). The question really becomes how much time do you want to spend doing such tasks? For example, you can resize in Photoshop, but the process is not always intuitive. Same for sharpening photos (which can be done in LR/LR Classic and Photoshop) but some of the plug-ins and programs from third parties just make the process faster and less tedious (as some programs can batch process, which is harder to do in programs like Photoshop). So it really comes down to convenience and "speed" (speed being your time and effort)... are you willing to pay extra for that? I think for those who don't want to spend the money, DeNoise AI in LR is very good, it's not the best out ther (I still feel DXO does a bit better job especially with small detail retention particularly in patterns or textures) but it's a huge step from what we had previously (the manual NR options in LR).
Unfortunately the Raw workflow doesn't like OM Systems ORF Raw files. It introduces a yellow/green cast which is an added step to remove that can get tedious with many edits. I still use the tiff right click for speed as no cast is introduced, also the sharpen AI section will, more often than not, introduce annoying artifacts which are not present [ usually] , when processing in Denoise AI.
I prefer to use Topaz, far superior in my mind. Batch processing in Topaz is good.
So far, my assessment (very amateurish) is that Photo AI generally does a better job at noise reduction than the new LRC denoise feature. I often try both. Then it's easy to compare the two .dngs side by side.
I think is actually automatically ON when you select DEnoise... if you look, the check mark is ON when it's greyed out. When you unchecked it, and you clicked denoise, it came ON and greyed out... maybe something to clarify with Adobe?
so I guess you dont need Sharpen AI or Denoise Ai anymore with Photo AI now, is that a correct statement?
I think Topez photo AI and Hitpaw are both 100% necessary. Nothing else colorizes black and white photos as good as hitpaw. I upscale with topez and do color timing with it and I have photoshop too.
Good video! 👍🏻
Instructive youtube video but a small error has crept in, plugin extras is in windows 10 under the file menu
Options under Enhance menu of Lightroom are so slow on my computer while Photo AI can do all of that rapidly!
IF you have On1 PhotoRAW 2024, DxO PureRAW 3 and Luminar NEO, do we need Photo AI2/Photoshop
So the website says "Includes one year of unlimited upgrades." what happens after the 1 year? I don't get updates?
You do, but you have to pay for them.
I prefer to use the other 3 Topaz products. Better control over Photo AI.
Hopefully, Photoshop will catch up in the next major release making photographers not needing extra costly software.
LOL, Adobe itself IS costly already.
Very convincing. With all those improvements we can hope that Topaz Photo AI one fantastic day will be able to do basic noise reduction on high contrast details in the unsharp background without creating artifacts or what looks like double contours. It is strange that such an important detail for making the product appealing to landscape photographers still seems to be unattended. Talking about missing attention: Face masks are dangerous to wear, they slowly degrade the immune system of the victims, while the seller profits.
Let's turn this around. If you have Topaz Photo AI, do you need Lightroom & Photoshop?
Lightroom Denoise DOES work on iPhone photos taken using the Lightroom camera. Good for those of us that do a significant amount of photography on our iPhones. That said, I still prefer Topaz Photo AI for noise reduction and sharpening.
My favorite is Topaz denoise . The Adobe version is hopeless to slow. I hate Topaz Photo AI - slow etc etc
It's incomprehensible to me that Adobe would implement a key feature (enhance) in their primary photo editing application (Lightroom) that DOESN'T WORK ON ADOBE'S NATIVE RAW FORMAT...aka DNG. STUPID!
DNG is just a TIFF with some additions, i suppose it doesn't contain real camera RAW data, which is needed for "enhance" function to work.
Topaz AI is slow. It can so this, it does that, BUT it is SLOW even on a reasonable speced computer.
is LR faster?
Because I am a snob, and I don't thousands of crappy wedding photos and baby photos; thus, because I do high-quality, artsy-fartsy photography, I prefer Topaz Photo AI.