Photoshop Insider

Thursday News Update

By Scott on Thursday, January 24th, 2008 at 6:05 am | updates.

Howdy folks. I’ve returned from my trip out West, and I’m back in the saddle again. Here’s what’s going on:

Digital Photography magazine (another UK-based photography magazine), did a shoot out of noise reducing Photoshop plug-ins, and their winner was a plug-in I’ve never heard of before called “Neat Image.” Here’s what Digital Photography said, “Neat Image scooped the first prize due to its simplicity, features, and impressive results” and they praised it for its ability to reduce noise without making the image blurry. The other programs in the shoot out were Noise Ninja and Noiseware Pro (the plug-in I use for noise reduction). If you have any experience with Neat Image, let me know. Here’s the link to Neat Image’s web site.
You guys have heard me talk about Jeff Revell (from Jeff’s Photo Gallery blog), a number of times, and this week we had him on Photoshop User TV as a special in-studio guest (that’s Jeff above), and on the show Jeff revealed the new name for his blog; PhotoWalkPro.com (for more about the name, and the man behind the site, check out Jeff’s interview right here).
Just when I thought this week couldn’t get any better, I just learned that I have won not just one—by TWO “Frankie” awards (one for this blog, and one for my CS3 for digital photographers book). This is an award so exclusive, so prestigious, and so secretive that even Frank’s wife didn’t know about it. Click here to view the list of all the Frankie Award Winners. (All joking aside—many thanks to Frank Weichmann for including my books on your list. I dig you, man!)
Confessions of a Pioneer Woman: How can you resist a photo blog with a name like this? I just recently found it, and I must confess, I’m really drawn to it (sorry for that lame “confess” pun). She’s got some nice photogaphy, and a lot of pioneer sass. Here’s the link. (I dig her, too!)
Weekly Photo Tips did a review of our recently launched KelbyTraining.com online subscription service for learning Photoshop, photography, and other cool stuff. Here’s the link. Ivan Makarov over at IM Digital also posted a review and you can read it right here.
On the heels of this past week’s wonderful automotive photography from UK-based photographer Tim Wallace, comes the creative genius of California-based automotive photographer Steve Demmitt. He’s got a very slick style, including some amazing composites (like the three photo composite of the silver Bentley that loads first), and if you got a minute or two, check out his site at stevedemmitt.com. Amazing stuff!

That’s it for today, sports fans. See you back here for a wrap up tomorrow!

^#1

Hi Scott,

I’ve been using Neat Image for several years now, both as a standalone program and subsequently as a PS plugin. I shoot a lot of concert photography in dark and grimy venues, and regularly shoot at ISO 1600 or 3200 on a 20D or 5D. Neat Image is great because it works well on fully-automatic, but is easy enough to play around with and has many different options to help tweak the results. Like NoiseNinja, you can download custom profiles for pretty much every camera/ISO/file-type combination from their website. I’m certainly not a post-processing whiz, but even I can get the results I need! A firm thumbs-up from me.

Cheers,
Haydn

Haydn Williams on January 24th, 2008 at 6:26 am

^#2

Neat Image and Noise Ninja are probably the two most common noise reduction plugins available for Photoshop. While I have the latter, I have seen and heard good things about both. My guess is it’s a Coke vs Pepsi, Ford vs. Chevy, Canon vs. Nikon, etc. type of issue. People will like what they like. My one nit for Noise Ninja is that you have to be in 8 bit mode to run it (so you can’t do it in LAB). Thanks for the link to the Neat Image’s website though - always good to keep abreast of changes in the industry. Enjoy your trip out west!

Regards,

Jason on January 24th, 2008 at 8:41 am

^#3

Pioneer Woman is WONDERFUL! She’s obviously energetic, talented and smart. Imagine what a bit of professional mentoring would do. I suggest a scholarship to Photoshop World.

Paul Barcewicz on January 24th, 2008 at 9:55 am

^#4

I’ve used neat image for several years now- some of the cool things are the “rough noise analyser” which allows you to fine tune noise in Red, Green , and Blue areas to different degrees.
“Device Noise Profile” takes the meta data ( like ISO and camera the image was shot with) and “Profiles” that device- which can be saved for later use as well. This is all done with “sliders”
The “Noise Filter Settings” will allow you to preview how the program will make your image look and adjust settings like “noise levels” and “noise reduction” as well as sharpening settings in Red, Green

Clayton on January 24th, 2008 at 10:09 am

^#5

Hi Scott,
I beta tested the Mac version when they introduced it. I had been using it on PC before I switched. I guess that means I like it. As well as using it for Noise reduction, I also use it for skin smoothing. The great thing about using it for this is that you can get the look quickly and still have it retain some detail.
Sean

Sean McCormack on January 24th, 2008 at 10:22 am

^#6

I’ve also been using Neat Image for quite some time (since Photoshop CS). Neat Image regularly develops profiles for various cameras at different ISO levels. I’ve found these to be spot on for noise reduction.

Big C on January 24th, 2008 at 10:25 am

^#7

Another Neat Image fan here. It’s easy to learn and the level of control is great IMHO. It’s fantastic for skin smoothing even when noise isn’t really an issue.

Robyn on January 24th, 2008 at 10:58 am

^#8

NeatImage does a better job than any other noise reduction software I have tried both on digital images and scanned negatives and slides. Over the years they have added all the features I wanted. The ability to detect shutter speed as well as ISO level is invaluable.You can use it stand alone or fully integrated with photoshop. They have also greatly improved the time that it takes to process a high res image. Highly recommended.

Mike Robinson on January 24th, 2008 at 11:44 am

^#9

I love Neat Image! I use it as a plug in with PSE and it works like a dream. I have nothing to compare it to as I like it so much I’ve never shopped around.

As for “Confessions of a Pioneer Woman”, I wouldn’t miss it! It’s a morning must for me. Between her photographs, her wit and her recipes, what’s not to love?

HeyJules on January 24th, 2008 at 11:53 am

^#10

Scott,

I have and use Neat Image since version 2.5. It is a wonderful program and has been tested by various companies against Nosie Ninja. Sometime I see the Ninja get picked as best and somes Neat Image. I think its personal preference.

I would however be interested in the article and reading about their shoot out. Your friend Moose turned me on the Dfine 2.0 and I think that is pretty good. You did not specifiy if that was in the shootout? Do you have a link.

I have used Nosie Ninja and myself when compared to Neat Image I find that neat image blows it away. I am torn between Dfine and Neat Image though.

Thanks for all you do.

Tom Quinn

Thomas Quinn on January 24th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

^#11

Scott, I have used Neat Image for four-five years, and while I have tried out many demos of the Other Contenders over the years, I have remained with Neat Image — it’s easy to use and gives great results. But it’s been getting less press than the Other Contenders — so I was very happy to see this shoot-out test and that you featured it prominently. Let’s hope that keeps these Russians in the anti-noise business!

Klaus Nordby on January 24th, 2008 at 12:34 pm

^#12

Hey Scott:

Yeah love the neat image plugin, fast and very good. You may also check out Q image another product, before LR it was the only way to go for package printing and I think it is actually better and faster than LR to print to maximize a full page when batch printing (or just that I know the program better). $40.00 with a lifteime of updates when I purchased it years ago.

Steve on January 24th, 2008 at 12:46 pm

^#13

Thanks for posting some interesting links.

Yea Pioneer Woman….

She’s a hoot, she might be even funnier than you are - well on her blog anyways.

keith on January 24th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

^#14

love your blog scott! thanks for all the tips. between you and matt, i end up staying up way later than i should reading your blogs and heading to links you recommend.

BTW.. love PW.. they are praising you over there too! One girl is talking about having your babies! hahaha.

Seriously though.. own a few of your books… and i’ll keep on buyin’ them! Thanks again!

Shanna on January 24th, 2008 at 1:21 pm

^#15

I’ve been using Neat for around a year now and I love it. I regularly use it for lots of different types of images and I’m very pleased with the results it gives me.

David on January 24th, 2008 at 1:38 pm

^#16

I’ve been using Neat Image for about a year, when it was recommended slightly above Noise Ninja in one of my photography forums. What I like best about it is that it only takes a few clicks to “auto” run it and rarely do I need to do any tweaking… and it has tons of controls to tweak if you’re so inclined.

JasonP on January 24th, 2008 at 2:13 pm

^#17

Hi Scott,

Warning! This post has nothing to do with Neat Image, Noise Ninja, etc. but it is worth a quick read.

I came across this very cool Photoshop plugin call ReDynaMix HDR. The plugin sells for $16.00! Yes that’s right! And it is quite cool. If you’ve poked around with LucasArts like me, you will take an instant liking to this very clever piece of software.

I posted a small blurb and a “Before” and “After” image on my blog at http://michaelvandertol.blogspot.com/. Have a quick peek if you have the time.

Regards,

MikeV

P.S. I do not work for the company I’m just a photoshop-aholic!

Michael Van der Tol on January 24th, 2008 at 8:39 pm

^#18

Darn Scott - you have me worried. I have always enjoyed your blog and thought it was a source of great photo tips and information. But now I find out you have never heard of Neat Image!

It is kind of like finding out the auto mechanic I use and think the world of has never heard of a Ford…

Mike P on January 24th, 2008 at 10:55 pm

^#19

Color me surprised that you hadn’t heard of Neat Image before, either! I was introduced to it almost 2 years ago when I was lamenting to my local mom’s group about a problem with a photo I took. It was a great shot, but my old p & s had overheated & added some serious noise/interference/something into the shot. One of my photog mama friends recommended Neat Image and even showed me how much improved it looked after running it. I was shocked! (But in a good way.) I’ve used NI ever since. I’ve even got this same Neat Imaged photo printed out in my daughter’s baby book in a (roughly) 8 x 10 size, and you would never know by looking at it that there had been any problems. It remains one of my favorite pictures; I’m so thankful that there’s programs like Neat Image & Photoshop around.

seebee on January 25th, 2008 at 3:13 pm

^#20

I’ve used Neat Image with my F31fd P&S on my Powerbook with CS3 for awhile. Works great for me, from what I’ve heard NI and Noise Ninja are comparable.

Ralph Daily on January 26th, 2008 at 11:59 am

^#21

I’m a regular reader of Pioneer Woman. She just cracks me up, and her photography is wonderful.

Penny on January 28th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

^#22

I still can’t believe that you did not hear for Neat Image…..
Speechless.

Domagoj on January 29th, 2008 at 6:05 am

^#23

Scott:

I’m another big Neat Image fan. Have used it for a couple of years. The auto profile feature works so well, I rarely have to do any tweaking.

Your books are great, and I wouldn’t miss a day of your blog.

Ray

Ray Kent on January 30th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

^#24