Topaz Photo Ai

Does anyone have access to this software? I have some images I'm curious to know how their sharpening tools handle and was wondering if someone wouldn't mind running them through to see what it will do. Thanks.

I have this software and like it. To see it do its stuff you need to use full size files. You also are better to do it on your own computer because it takes a bit of computer muscle and it may or may not be good with your computer set up.
You can download and try it for a free trial.
Check
topazlabs.com/?attribution=true&msclkid=f1a9884bcbed1dfa7125ed24c8ff0fb9

Let's do a test. You can upload some images here, or on WeTransfer.

I will send them back at the same resolution.

Do not apply any kind of sharpening in advance!

I have Topaz AI and would be glad to run an image or two of yours through it to see what it does. You'd need to dropbox it to me in its original largest format. It doesn't do as well with small images like we post here on the forum. BUT: what Mike says is true. While the result may answer one question, the other question is how well AI will run on your machine(s). When I first tried it, I had my old computer and AI didn't work. It took forever, and sometimes would crash before it finished. So he's probably right that your best test is to download the trial version and use it on your equipment.

I like Topaz sharpen better than AI. I like to keep the sharpening separate from the noise removal, and I need both, since I use a small sensor camera and I tend to beat up my photo files pretty heavily sometimes in creative editing.

For noise removal I like the Adobe noise removal in Lightroom or the On1 standalone noise removal program.

About 2 years ago, Topaz were offering a bundle of Sharpen AI, Denoise and Gigapixel, with the promise of free upgrades, and I bought it. There have been no upgrades since, and the three programs are now rolled into Photo AI, with some differences. The output quality of Gigapixel turned out to be no use to me, I already had DXO‘s Photolab with its excellent noise reduction, so I didnt use Denoise. However, I have found Sharpen often improves the tiff files that I export from Photolab, having treated the noise and adjusted exposure, etc. The improvements relate to out of focus parts and shots when the camera moved slightly.

Photolab‘s noise reduction abilities of jpg files are modest, as their advanced algorithms only work with the raw files that I normally use. But the other day I had a noisy jpg file that I had made with my iPad and was impressed at the level of improvement that Topaz Denoise managed.

I dont think I shall bother to invest in The portmanteau Topaz Photo AI, unless I read that it has been upgraded with significant advantages over the three components that I was bamboozled into buying!

David

I appreciate the honesty. Thing is what I'm doing this for is super experimental stuff. I'm mainly curious to see how it "handles" the unique situation my images present. It's not possible for the images to be in focus due to some science I'm no where near intelligent enough to explain. So I wanna see what the software does in such a situation.

So, upload some samples.

If you are referring to me, nearly all of my many photos in the Canon threads have been sharpened by Topaz.

David

I replied to OpenCube. He asked to see the effect of the sharpening applied with Topaz Photo Ai on some of his pictures.

If the answer is given to the immediately superior post, or to the initial subject of the discussion, it does not require "quote".

Only discussions without examples are not significant.

Waiting on batteries to charge.

Just download the trial and see for yourself. This is too easy. Some weeks ago I was curious to see how some of these de-noise programs performed. Many offer a free trial. Only one little snag-- no linux version- shocker eh? So- I pirated my grandson's gaming win11 machine and tested the topaz product. I think it is worth the money if you are addicted to auto ISO. The trial version will even let you view their huge watermark in the center of your image. The ON1 product would never download so I immediately crossed that of my list of possible purchases as it is annoying when a software company can't get it together enough to have a properly working web site. I will probably buy the topaz denoise product down the road the next time I shoot over 100 iso.

For denoising, and other things, I strongly recommend PhotoLab, though it only works better than Topaz denoise on raw files, and also doesnt run on Linux...

David

Open Cube said: "Thing is what I'm doing this for is super experimental stuff. I'm mainly curious to see how it "handles" the unique situation my images present. It's not possible for the images to be in focus due to some science I'm no where near intelligent enough to explain. So I wanna see what the software does in such a situation."

Enhancing this kind of pictures may imply a complex recipe, not just "sharpening". I don't think AI sharpening will be enough.
Still no samples yet for test.

we.tl/t-9rDY4pDxNu

Enclosed are 5 images from 5 different cameras. Anything you can run through and show some results is greatly appreciated. I'm not expecting any miracles. I'm simply curious to see what happens and if I see any "improvement".

Unexpected work demands have kept me busy. Sorry.

I have the download. Didn't see anything about a trial version.

Denoising....lol. I'm half debating to start shooting in the highest ISO for every camera I have.

I edit 4k video at full resolution in real time and routinely break Photoshop by having to make large format files. I should hope I'm fine. 😉

Wait, these AREN'T the same thing? I thought the AI was all the tools, denoise, sharpen, etc, rolled into one....

Hi I used the latest Topaz photo AI { sharpen only no NR etc } I could not get the .srf file to work. All the AI photo software options are very much GPU dependent

we.tl/t-l3La9EeJgR

So your pictures are very interesting as they are. What is generally called "sharpening" cannot be applied to this type of images, due to the content of the image.
It's like trying to sharpen some clouds...😀

But an image reconstruction can be done with the accentuation of some graphic effects. This means an "artistic intervention" on the image, with variable effects, at the discretion of the one who makes them.
I devised a "recipe" and applying several variables in different software (including Topaz AI) resulted in some images from which I chose two examples that I consider relatively "balanced" for the desired effect.

Since anyone can download the images and view them, I assume they are not "secret" and I will post two comparative examples.🙂
If you like them, I can improve them all, but please prepare them in maximum quality .jpg or .TIFF format. The RAW format is useless in this case.

............................................................
It is not a good idea to take pictures at high ISO if it is not absolutely necessary, even if the noise can be removed using AI algorithms. Some fine details cannot be recovered.

I kinda figured the results would be as such. Post away. I tried to find a different set of ideas from each image, but the technique is close to the same on all of them. My biggest thought was would any sensor make any difference. I doubted it, but couldn't hurt to check. No need for extra effort. What you posted tells me all I really need to know. It's not going to work a miracle and it struggles, which is pretty much what I expected.

Ever seen an AI image that looks like it was shot at 3200 or higher ISO? I haven't. It's more a reactionary thought to go in the opposite direction of conventional wisdom, just to prove a point. "This is a digital photograph of a Pipe" if you will. Alas, as you point out, its gonna kill details and I'm not sure I have the right tools to achieve what I'm going for. More experimenting is required.

Thanks for your help.