Noise Ninja
Noise Ninja often occupies top spot in comparative reviews of noise reduction software -- and it has been kept up-to-date with the latest developments in all aspects of noise reduction. It strikes a good balance between noise suppression and detail preservation: one of the necessities of this software category.
Among Noise Ninja's tools are automatic and manual noise analysis, camera-specific profiles, and a feature called "Noise Brush" which lets you undo the global noise reduction of specific parts of the image. By this means you can restore fine detail without letting the noise creep back into the rest of the picture.
Based on advances in wavelet theory, Noise Ninja can produce a two-stop gain in image quality, allowing photographers to shoot at ISO levels they would not normally consider. These algorithms have largely overcome the tendency of conventional wavelets to create artifacts like halos, ringing, or color bleeding in high-contrast edges. Noise Ninja achieves smooth results, even in low-ISO images -- as can be seen in the examples on the vendor's website.
Comment
Device profiling has taken noise reduction to a new level of precision. This is because cameras tend to behave in different but highly characteristic ways at low-light levels. Noise Ninja has all the necessary camera data it needs to provide correct filtering -- and to counteract any tendency to accentuate noise at certain color frequencies. It also provides separate control over color and luminance channels: another necessity for advanced noise reduction.
Noise Ninja is available in standalone and plugin versions.
Tech info
- Plugs into: Adobe Photoshop 7, CS, CS2, CS3; Elements, and compatible host applications
- OS: Windows; Mac OS X; Linux
- Price level: Many editions; Home Bundle (plug-in) $45; (Pro standalone with plugin) approx. $70; Pro Bundle (plug-in): $80
PictureCode
Founded by computer scientist Dr. Jim Christian, PictureCode has specialized in this single aspect of image enhancement with demonstrably great results.
From the same vendor:
- (multiple editions of Noise Ninja)
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