Noiseware

[SJG]

Hello,

I took some indoor low light photos with my S3 and they came out very noisy. Downloaded the Noiseware plugin for Photoshop Elements 4 and the results were very good. I'll be able to rescue the pictures of my daughters piano recital that I had set at ISO800 (stupid me) by using this program. I'm going to purchase it but I was wondering if I should get the Plugin Standard or Pro version, or the Standalone Standard or Pro version? Of the standard versions, the plugin is $20 higher and of the Pro versions the plugin is also $20 higher.

What are the benefits of the plugin vs standalone?

What are the benefits of the standard vs pro?

Keep in mind, I'm just your regular home photographer trying to fix the photos I screwed up in the first place by having my S3's settings wrong.

So if any of you have the program, which version do you have and why? Are you happy with the results?

Thanks,
Steve

[GaryS]

I have Noiseware Std Plugin. I far prefer the plugin over the standalone because it fits better in the way I work. Once I open a pic in PS to edit, if I then decide that it is noisy, I don't want to close it and go back to the standalone....

The pro version has a bunch of extra features that I don't need, so the Std plugin is what I chose. I use it a fair amount, so it was definitely worth the money.

[SJG]

DustyPorch,

Thanks for the reply. I think I'm kind of leaning toward the standard version plugin also. Pretty much for the same reasons, not having to switch programs to use it and I don't think I would need the pro version extras.

Anyone else use noiseware? Thoughts?

Steve

[toriaj]

I use the standalone, freeware version of Noiseware, and I like it!
Although I think the noise-reducer in Paint Shop Pro is better. I just need to get in the habit of using it.

[SJG]

Well, I ended up purchasing the Pro Plugin Version. It was $69 and the standard was $49, but I found a 20% coupon code on another photography site so it brought the price down to $55. So far I am amazed by the results just by using the default settings. My horribly noisy photos are now completely and beautifully cleaned up. Now I no longer need to be afraid of ISO 400 & 800 on my S3!:) Well I still am, but not as much.

But now I do have alot of work ahead of me, cause man, have I taken alot of crappy photos over the years that I can now save!

Steve

[GaryS]

The best thing about having a good noise reduction function is exactly what you mentioned. Not being afraid of using iso400 or 800. Using high iso settings is still not optimal, but if you are in a place where the light is bad and you need faster shutter speeds, its nice to know its an option.

[FLiPMaRC]

Before I got PSPX, I use to use Neat Image (http://www.neatimage.com/) to get rid of noise. It has served me well :)

[KSM]

I use the standalone, freeware version of Noiseware, and I like it!
Although I think the noise-reducer in Paint Shop Pro is better. I just need to get in the habit of using it.

What are you doing to get Paint Shop Pro to do a better job than Noiseware Community? Using the default settings on each one I get lots of nasty pixelization in the PSP version while the Noiseware version is very nice. I'm sure I could probably get better results with each one if I learn what each setting does and how to use it. I'm not bashing PSP I have used it since version 4 and know the program fairly well and like it much better than Elements. At the default settings though there is no contest Noiseware gives me a better noise solution but I would rather be able to get as good of results with PSP so I can stay in one program.

[toriaj]

Someone else may be able to give a more detailed reply ...
But be sure to use the "Digital Camera Noise Removal," not the "One Step Noise Removal."
I keep the settings at 50 on Noise Correction and 70 on Correction Blend. I think it's best if you don't put them all the way to 100. The "clarify" tool can also help sometimes. Good luck!