Improved digicam expertise has opened up the world of low gentle and excessive ISO pictures. Most fashionable cameras can seize a usable body at ISO 1600 or increased. Coupled with noise discount software program, we will simply push the boundaries of ISO and fairly a bit farther, altering the definition of “acceptable” noise in a file straight out of the digicam.
Through the years I’ve examined many alternative functions for dealing with digital noise. There are a number of good options out there, however after latest assessments, one stands above the remaining: DxO PureRAW 2. In case your RAW picture file has seen noise, straight out the digicam, working it by this software program could make an enormous distinction.
Ocracoke Lighthouse
On this instance, we’ll check out a photograph captured contained in the Ocracoke Lighthouse on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. There was no room to arrange a tripod (and I in all probability would have been chased off if I’d tried), so I made one of the best of the scenario and made my images handheld.
On the time I used to be taking pictures with a Canon 6D and 16-35mm lens. This shot was captured at 1/30s at f/4 and ISO 1000. A extra fashionable digicam might have dealt with these settings with ease, however the 6D is a bit older. Straight out the digicam, the picture had seen noise.
Making a Higher Uncooked with DxO PureRAW 2
I ran the picture by DxO PureRAW 2 utilizing the Lightroom Basic plugin. The appliance transformed my .CR2 file to .DNG and got here again to Lightroom fantastically clear. PureRAW eliminated the noise whereas retaining element, utilized lens correction for distortion, and didn’t go away any undesirable artifacts behind.
Earlier than/after DxO PureRAW 2:
Earlier than/after zoomed in:
TIP: Zoom in to not less than 100% when evaluating noise discount outcomes.
Artistic edits in Lightroom Basic
The improved uncooked file (DNG) produced by PureRAW was a breeze to edit. I made just a few tonal modifications in Lightroom Basic and utilized a artistic profile (Fashionable 05) for a dramatic look.
Cropped earlier than/after with Lightroom edits:
DxO PureRAW 2 exceeded my expectations. I’ve labored with a number of noise discount apps, and in terms of pre-processing RAW pictures captured at high-ISOs and low gentle, this software is my new favourite.
