Lately I’ve been getting a lot of questions about Noise Reduction and the software I’ve been using (and some changes to that software). So I figured I’d cover it in this week’s video. Enjoy!
Click here to find out more about DxO PureRaw (Link). You can use the code “MattK” to save 15% for new customers.
If you use Topaz Photo, click here for more info. (Link)
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I love teaching and photography... In that order. I feel that enjoying photography, and photo editing can get WAY too complicated. So my personal mission (and favorite thing to do), is to create education that simplifies the process of taking great photos, and how to edit them to get the results you’ve always wanted.
Matt, Do you save your corrected photo from PhotoRaw as a DNG?
I totally agree with your comments, I own both and use both. I use Nikon and I like PureRaw, but they’re very close and it’s personal preference. What I don’t like is that they create a new file.
The latest version of Lightroom Denoise looks great to me. It lets me stay in the app, doesn’t create a new file, and it’s fast. I use it for nearly all of my noise reduction now. I think it does a good job.
Saw the video and tried DxO. I’m a believer. Now my question is for workflow, do I DxO then post in Lightroom or the other way. Often I lighten dark areas which brings up noise.
TIA.
Use PureRaw as an external editor in Lightroom. The plugin will export and reimport seamlessly.
Keep in mind that it starts with the raw file and creates a new file. So any prior LR adjustments won’t show up. Use PureRaw then do LR edits.
The problem with Adobe LR Classic’s Denoise feature since Version 14.3 is that it freezes the whole app until that image is rendered. This means if you have a lot of images to edit, you cannot continue to edit while the denoise works on an image being denoised. Many of us have complained to Adobe whose excuse is that they have introduced some other features that burden the GPU. We don’t care. The current latest versions of LR Lightroom are inefficient for those of us that use it for our workflow, especially on low light images (I am a theatre photographer). It makes it pretty difficult to deliver to clients on a tight timeline so I’ve stayed with 14.3. Maybe the Topaz Photo app can solve this so we can update. I’ll check it out and thanks for this.
Isn’t it a problem with all DeNoise software? If you denoise using Topaz or DxO, then you can’t do anything because you’re not even in Lightroom yet right? I’m not saying it’s not an issue, but it’s not an issue that is better anywhere else either.
“it freezes the whole app until that image is rendered.”
As Matt mentioned in his reply, that’s true of any denoise program. There is an easy solution in Lightroom though. Batch process them before you start editing. Use Denoise on one image, and adjust as needed to get the results you want. Then choose “copy develop settings” and uncheck everything but detail. Then select the remaining images and paste the develop settings. Wander off and get a snack while your GPU goes to work. Once that’s done, no more waiting on rendering the Denoise.
Can’t agree with you more on Topaz. They did do good by locking existing legacy customers at the old price, but the product is just getting too bloated and losing focus and getting too expensive. One product do all is not what I purchased (not subscribed) to when I got DeNoise, Gigapixel etc.
If you have to old original price locked in, not bad. Does one need all the other stuff? Not necessarily. Now the question is how long they will support the original modules since they have merged all into one product? Topaz has a tendency of let products fade into the background.
As for DxO PureRaw, all I can say idc WOW! It is great!
Helps me make up my mind come renewal time – I think. Funny how you don’t want to let go of some good old stuff (comfort level), but do since it and you are slowly being left behind.
My understanding is all(most?) Topaz products are perpetual license, with updates included for 1 year after subscription. I still have my older Topaz products and even use Topaz DeNoise AI (Feb 2023) to batch process photos taken under very poor light. One strategy is the same many of us used with Adobe products before they moved to a subscription only model… I used to upgrade about every other year.
Thanks for your thoughts Matt. I have just reverted to the most recent version of Photo AI and Gigapixel AI considering I have a lifetime licence for those, and they are sufficient for my needs.
So for landscape photos do you recommend trying this also?
Great video. I have Topaz Photo. Since I had an automatic renewal with Photo AI, get to “rent” this new product for $84/year, which is not a real bad price. But $199/year for new buyers is way too expensive. I agree it’s bloated. For me, most of the features are of no use. I decided to downloaded the trial version of PureRaw 5. I can say it’s much simpler and faster. Quality as good as Topaz Photo and on heavily noisy photos. I see less artifacts. I like the way I can do batch processing without having to actually open the whole program. I have 2 weeks to “play” with it. If I decide to buy it, I will most likely not renew my subscription for Topaz Photo. I can re-install Photo AI if I need to. Online I see many people leaving Topaz because the subscription plan and price for new customers too high.
Thanks, Matt . I am with you about topaz. Discovered my computer doesn’t like the topaz studio and I don’t need all that, and can’t go with a new computer. I’m going to check into DXO because I’ll lose my subscription to Topaz soon.
Great video Mat! keep them coming.
I want to see
Hi Matt, thanks for all the info you give to us for free! Awesome!
I have one question, in this video you used Topaz Photo (not Photo AI) to denoise and sharpen the example photo. I have both Photo and Photo AI, but when i ask LRC to ‘edit in’ it only shows me Photo AI (or Photo AI (studio)). i have tried numerous ways to get Topaz Photo as a plug in for LRC but cant seem to work it out. Is there an easy way?
TIA
Hi Sally. I don’t use or suggest the “Edit In” option. But if it’s not working the way it should you could definitely contact Topaz for help. Thanks.
“I have both Photo and Photo AI”
Photo AI is an earlier version. Uninstall it and remove the Photo AI plugins and then reinstall Topaz Photo, being sure to install the LR plugins. That should solve the issue.
Hi Matt,
Great video and heads up about Topaz. I’ve been renewing my Topaz license for several years now, with my next renewal in April 2026. Are you saying that even “legacy” customers will face the ridiculous prices?
The DXO looks interesting. Does it also perform better than Topaz in sharpening?
I’m sure they’re helping legacy customers, but I can’t speak to how much for you. You should definitely contact Topaz for pricing questions. As for DxO, I find it works just fine for my sharpening needs. Thanks.
Thank you so much
I know you use Mac. Understand why. BUT. I am a long time Windows old guy. So? What is the Windows configuration equivalent (or a close as possible) in terms of CPU, RAM, Graphics card? Thank you.
Long time viewer of you back to the beginning of On1 software. Back when you would even answer the phone! LOL!!! 🙂
Joe
Hi Joe. I’m sure if you look up “Topaz Photo computer PC requirements” on google you’ll find that answer, or on their website. I wouldn’t even attempt to talk hardware because it’s not my specialty.
Puget Systems in Auburn, WA has done extensive testing on just about any app you can think of and publishes extensive articles on their findings. Even if you’re not buying a system from them, you can find tons of useful info on CPUs, GPUs, etc etc.
I’ve bought 3 computers from them in the last 20 years and their service and customer support is truly amazing. They will build you a bespoke system fine tuned to your needs. They’re priced accordingly, but I feel they’re worth it.
great tutorial. I did photos of ducks in a pond with a7rv in crop mode and 100-400mm sony in a cloudy day and was not very happy with LRC and topaz and dxo plugins and tried ON1 PR2026 directly on raw images and found it magical making brilliance ai with automatic select subject, select water… and denoise applied on duck with, for unknown reason, a nice additional sharpening of feathers. I cropped, enlarged,… all in raw in a same software. This is my experience. Not sure it fits all futre needs.
Topaz told me I can continue with Photo AI and Gigapixel AI at the discounted price and they will be providing future updates. Apparently you don’t need to go with the new versions Topaz Photo & Gigapixel. Both were renewed for $138.
Great job. This will help a lot of people.
I use DxO Photolab for raw processing on every photo before sorting and editing in Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. Since I can batch process with the DxO software, I find first step well worth doing.
Bummer. The discount is only for new DxO customers.
“The discount is only for new DxO customers.”
Existing customers get a discount on upgrades. Seems like there’s always some way to avoid paying list price.
thanks
Thank you for posting this video
Hi Matt
I just tried to use the promo code MattK for the DXO PureRaw program and it would not accept it saying could not be used for this program. Any idea why this happened
thanks for your videos
Lesley
My understanding is that for those who bought Topaz Photo AI on yearly renewal basis, the price for Topaz Photo remains $84/year indefinitely as long as you don’t cancel and then try to renew.
That’s what mine renewed for, and they gave me video too. I haven’t tried video yet
I’m pretty happy with Topaz although, if you let it, It goes overboard on sharpening and gives a fake looking result.
I don’t quite understand the Topaz pricing that you displayed though. I just paid my annual subscription in October. Soon after, they offered me Topaz Photo (Studio) so now I have both Topaz Photo AI and Topaz Photo (Studio). I honestly don’t see much difference. Photo AI might be a bit easier to use.
They charged me $84 for my annual subscription. The $17 a month figure you showed adds up to $204 dollars a year. Did they more than double the price after October?
I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
Hi Jeff. They did do good by people who already had Photo AI by honoring a lower price as long as you stay subscribed and don’t cancel. Not sure how you got $84, as what I was sent was nearly double that. Thanks.
How is DXO raw differ from DXO Nik plugins
Hi. I’m not sure, but I’ll leave it up to their website to describe their products better than I can. Thanks.
“How is DXO raw differ from DXO Nik plugins”
Nik PureRaw is a “one trick pony”, the only thing it does is render your raw files. But it does the best job of any program I’ve ever used. There are lots of options like lens correction, sharpness, vignetting etc. TBH, I typically just use the defaults, but you can definitely go full on fine tuning if you want. Topaz Photo and CaptureOne are also great, but I like PureRaw the best.
Nik Collection does some really nice stuff, I love Silver Efx Pro, but it will not read raw files. It only supports jpg and tiff, so you need some other raw conversion app.
Hi Matt,
Whats your take on ON1 NoNoise in comparison to DxO etc?
Stuart, I’ve bought every one of these programs over the years since I often have reason to use high ISO.
I don’t use ON1 much since I don’t like the interface and how it works. (Purely personal preference). I do have PhotoMax RAW 2026 which seems to be an integrated suite. I tried the Denoise in that, and it used NoNoise 2024. That’s the most recent version, seems they’ve stopped updates? I’d say it’s not as good as either PureRaw or Topaz Photo. Those two are essentially identically. NoNoise was noticably less impressive. Download the free trials and do a side by side comparison. I suspect you’ll see a difference.
Fantastic. I have lots of concert photos in addition to wildlife as discussed here. For me the ai updates are essential even just for noise reduction alone, with raw files – and the raw concert photos I have do so much better now in new LR Denoise, or with dxo. I got the dxo bundle to use the other dxo sharpening program with older (non raw) photos from my old negatives and slides. I’m so glad you did this update, as I’ve based many decisions on your practical guidance; and per your tutorials I recently evaluated topaz and similarly found the new offering to be unsuitable for reasons you mention. Still catching up on your Lr1 and Lr2 focusing for the first time in years on printing (basics of which are well done in the course) thanks for honing right in on what on my current list of topics!
Matt,
interesting Denoise program. Just an FYI
I purchased the original Topaz Denoise AI and Sharpen AI.when they first came out.Also have really old version of Topaz Studio, don’t remember last time I used it.AgreeTopaz overpriced.
Currently use the Denoise in LRCC most of time.
If not happy will go to Topaz ,usually Sharpen since it has a Denoise component.
That usually is good enough for these old eyes.
Sometimes find Denoise does better.
Probably 90%+ with Adobe, , 8-9% with Sharpen AI, and the rest with Denoise AI
“Probably 90%+ with Adobe, , 8-9% with Sharpen AI, and the rest with Denoise AI”
I’m about the same, but even more in LR Classic, and maybe 2% in PureRaw or Topaz. The latest DeNoise in LR looks really good to me, and it doesn’t create a new file. I only use external editors for a special image that I really want to polish, or one that has really difficult noise.
I see your final camera settings noted in the video but curious if you are shooting with Auto ISO in these situations. I’ve tried auto ISO a few times with mixed results but in this case, it seems like it might be the best option. I assume you are setting the aperture to yield desired depth of field, and you select shutter speed to freeze the action of a very active subject; letting the camera select the appropriate ISO. Just curious if this is how you would approach this type of image. Thanks
Hi Greg. I exclusively use Auto ISO.
For wildlife I set my camera lens on the lowest f-stop number for that lens, nearly 100% of the time.
From there, life is easy. ISO is what it is. f-stop never needs changing – and then I just set the shutter speed depending on what I’m shooting. Hope that helps. Thanks.
Folks should be aware that PureRAW does not work with most smartphone DNG files. I did a PureRAW trial and was very impressed, but became frustrated that it would not work with my Pixel 10 images. Here is why…
https://support.dxo.com/hc/en-us/articles/13560695483549-Support-for-RAW-generated-by-smartphones
… which is why I decided against buying it. If they add smartphone DNG support, as they have suggested they will do so eventually, I am in!
Perhaps I missed something but I see you are using LRc not LR have you changed your thoughts on that subject. Thanks for your honesty.
Hi David. I haven’t. It’s just that most people use LRC and would probably wonder what program I was in if I used LR Desktop.
Thanks Matt. I totally understand and agree with your move away from Topaz to DxO. My concern with Topaz is that, in my opinion, they don’t appreciate the investment that their Customers make when choosing a company’s software. Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of money and time on their software products only to have it discontinued without explanation or alternative. DxO, as well as most other software companies seem to have more respect their Customers and provide a reasonable amount of support after announcing the retirement of a product. Now that Topaz has once again revised their pricing models, it is for me a good time to “retire” Topaz.
I have been using DXO Photolab for noise reduction for just over a year and have loved it! Would DXO pure raw have the same properties? Thanks for the tutorial, I also thought Topaz got too bloated and too expensive
Hi Karen. I can’t speak to all of their software – best to check with them or their website if you have questions about features. Thanks.
Pure Raw is a subset of the features of PhotoLab, the most important ones from the point of image quality. It contains all the lens corrections for which DxO is famous as well as the denoise methods for which they are also famous. Plus a few other fratures. If you have PhotoLab, you do not need Pure Raw.
features, not fractures
You essentially have PureRaw, it’s part of PhotoLab. Quoting the Dxo Website:
DxO PhotoLab ELITE Edition and DxO PureRAW are based on the same engine and you can expect the same results for denoising and optical corrections.
If you don’t have any photo editing software and are just starting with photography, DxO PhotoLab is a comprehensive solution. It offers tools for color and exposure correction, local corrections, keywords, and much more.
However, if you already have software for image editing, but you are looking for a very powerful tool for denoising and very precise optical corrections but you want to keep your current workflow, DxO PureRAW might be the better choice for you.
(Short version, if you have LR, you only need PureRaw)
Couldn’t agree more with your thoughts on Topaz and I’ve been a customer almost since their beginning, back when you had to run their programs with Fusion Express. This past year, I was lucky enough to be asked by DXO to test out their products and was given free copies as I teach retouching to our community photo club. I came to the same conclusion, that DXO Pure Raw is superior to Topaz Photo AI and Lightroom in most situations. I find it gives excellent results and is almost always faster.
The only thing I don’t like is that DXO has it set up when you save an processed image back into Lightroom Classic that it creates a Collection for each image you process. I don’t believe there is any way to disable this feature so when the image opens in the Collection area I right click and tell it to open in Library which takes me back to the original folder of images. Periodically I delete all these collections it creates that I never use.
Thank you for your honesty about the pricings. Being retired it is hard for me to buy one dedicated program for noise reduction. I enjoy many of your tutorials and because you and Blake Rudis work together I respect all your information you impart to us.
I noticed there is an upgrade option for existing users on the DXO subscribe page. My questions are , how often do you need to upgrade the product, and are any upgrades provided on the new subscription license?
Hi Dan. Those are all great questions for the people at DxO about their software and pricing. Thanks.
“Are any upgrades provided on the new subscription license?”
As with most subscriptions, you get any new updates for the product you’re subscribed to at no extra cost. Same as Photoshop and Lightroom etc. They also tend to release new versions relatively often, but they’re usually minor updates.
I wish this had come out about a month ago. 🙁 I made the mistake of getting the Studio version of Topaz thinking it would have the old Topaz filters similar to the NIK filters. It doesn’t. Wasted a bunch of $$. Sigh.
Matt, as always I appreciate checking in to hear what you say. I did not catch the auto-renewal on my topaz package and paid for product that really I am no longer been so happy with. love your “too bloated ” comment. Yep. Giga pixel used to be in my opinion MUCH better when I would want images printed 30×30 or larger. Not so much anymore. I will have to check out DXO Pure Raw but that is another time committment 🙂
Happy New Year !
Excellent tutorial. Thanks for sharing this tips and techniques.
Hi Matt,
You said just after 3 mins that
“Adobe did away with the DNG Format”
Is there a document/tutorial or whatever that goes into this in more detail? Never heard this before.
Thanks
Colin
Hi. They didn’t do away with the DNG format. They did away with the way DeNoise used to work, which created a duplicate DNG, instead of being applied to the raw file that happens today.
“They did away with the way DeNoise used to work, which created a duplicate DNG, instead of being applied to the raw file that happens today.”
That hasn’t gotten much notice, but for me it’s a HUGE deal. Faster, easier and no duplicate files. I also feel like the raw file gives better results than a DNG when editing in LR, but I have nothing to confirm that, just feels that way. The fact that it edits the existing files and the results are great is enough to convince me to use Lightroom Classic’s built in Denoise 98% of the time. PureRaw is my go to if I have a really challenging file, but for most stuff LR works fine.
Thank you, Matt. Great video. I’m also using DxO, and your workflow with Lightroom couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve been searching for ways to keep Lightroom in my workflow, and your video arrived at exactly the right moment. Much appreciated. You were also spot on about Topaz. Being retired now, their new payment structure just doesn’t fit my needs anymore.
I think Topaz, at some point, is just going to be an AI company, and consumers will access it through the editing software directly. Adobe already has some of their models that you can use.
Great video thanks Matt.
I’m still using the old version of Topaz Photo AI as my Mac doesn’t have a fancy enough chip – silicon I believe it is?
So I haven’t had to move to the new update and pricing. That will do me for now, but your info will be helpful for when things change again.
I like your style and voice of reason. Thanks for all the good intel.
“i’m not that guy” agreed too much about zoom in to 400/800/ with each variable, etc etc. is too much.
Thanks for this, Matt. Topaz’s subscription/app changes have been frustrating to say the least. Definitely trying out DxO PureRaw.