Noise reduction in Aperture

Does anyone successfully use the Aperture Noise Reduction tool, or are you all using third party apps?
Paul

I use it for moderate noise, but for shots at a very high ISO (1600), I use Noise Ninja. There is a Noise Ninja plug in on the way for Aperture, which will be most welcome.

Similar Messages

Capture NX level noise reduction in Aperture - how close can you get?

Searching the forum for NX, it seems most posters agree that Capture NX noise reduction beats Aperture.
But let's assume that I really want to use Aperture instead for my D300 NEF files - because of Aperture's better UI, catalogue abilities and all that.
Does anyone have any easy guide with steps to take in Aperture to best do noise reduction? Can one get even remotely close to what NX can achieve?
Or should one resign and use both applications in parallel?

The noise reduction facility in Aperture is basic at best. If you can be patient, we're assured that very soon there's to be a Noise Ninja plug-in for Aperture. This will do a much better job I would expect.

Leica M9 and Aperture 3 (especially noise reduction)?

As Aperture 3 still does not officially support the RAW files of the Leica M9 I would like to know if someone has found a good way to reduce the noise of M9 pictures that have been shot with high ISO (1250 and above). I find the noise reduction of Aperture 3 quite disappointing. Do you use a third party application for that?

Try Noise Ninja. I am using it for some time now, with good results, although i am not owning a Leica M9. There is an Aperture plugin that works quite well.
http://www.picturecode.com/nn_aperture.htm

Noise Reduction question for Aperture

I recently purchased my first iMac (after years of being a windows user) and decided to try out Aperture (to use with Photoshop Elements 10 as an outside editor). I am basically an Olympus user and like the way Aperture handles the Olympus ORF RAW files a bit better than Lightroom (which I have used since it was released).
Anyway, I do think that Lightroom did a better job of handling/adjusting the noise in the higher ISO Olympus RAW files than Aperture - again just starting with Aperture.
2 Questions:
(1) Am I missing something or is the only Noise Reduction controls in Aperture the two sliders that come up in the Inspector column?
(2) What is a good plug in for noise reduction that works with Aperture?
Thanks, Steve

People like Noise Ninja.

Noise Ninja for Aperture has been released

from the picture code site ...
+PictureCode today released a plug-in version of Noise Ninja for Apple's Aperture photo editing and management software. The plug-in allows Aperture users to employ best-of-breed noise reduction without leaving the Aperture workflow. The official release is available on the download page.+
http://picturecode.com/news.htm#MacIntel
http://picturecode.com/nn_aperture.htm

with regard to your PS profiles, they will work here ...
+Noise Ninja includes an automatic profile loader that attempts to select the best matching saved noise profile when you open an image. The automatic profile loader looks for a saved profile that matches the camera model, ISO setting, and image type of each image opened in Noise Ninja. The automatic profile loader looks in two folders when searching for a matching profile. It looks in the main profiles folder that is located under Macintosh HD > Library > Application Support > Noise Ninja for Aperture > Profiles. It also looks in the secondary per user profiles folder under Macintosh HD > Users > Username > Library > Application Support > Noise Ninja for Aperture > Profiles. The automatic profile loader looks at the camera model, ISO setting, and image type encoded into each profile's filename until it finds one that matches the image. If any of this information is missing in the image or in the profile's filename then a match cannot be made. If a match is not found then the automatic profile loader does not select a profile and Noise Ninja runs the automatic profiler to create a new profile from the image itself. You can manually select any saved profile by selecting Choose profile... from the Profile drop-down.+
you just need to create the folder and drop them in it ... then auto load will work ...

How to separately control color and luminescence noise reduction?

Most of the time a little bit of Chroma noise reduction is all I need. I don't want to degrade the sharpness by applying luminescence blur unless I have to. Lightroom 3 has separate sliders. Is there a way to do this in Aperture 3?

What code do you already have for changing the color and the number of elements? Whatever it is you need to somehow tie that to being able to control it with a slider. Would this be one slider to control both properties, or a different slider dedicated to each?

RAW conversion bug with Noise Reduction

Hello,
I have found a serious bug in the RAW conversion when noise reduction is applied. When converting from two types of Canon RAW files (a CRW from a Powershot G6 and a CR2 from a 20d) I found that if you apply Noise Reduction to a RAW file on very low settings (the default setting in the NR function will produce this reliably) single-pixel lines appear at regular intervals throughout the image. Here is an example:
You can see several lines in this image:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/3821480263171e76604b.jpg
A 100% detail of which is here:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/382148021af6586d27eo.jpg
Has anyone else had this problem? Can someone from the Aperture dev team fix this?
-Steve G

Well I find this filter is quite good in 'masking' block artifact that codec like xvid, or other low compression codec have. I only apply it if I find the block artifact is too much and I find this filter is less offending to my eyes than the block artifact.
In manual it said that if you have noisy video and want to lower the size then you can use this filter. It also blur the video a bit. But I suspect it is more than blur as I try gaussian blur in time line and the result is not as good. You can see the result as well. There is the tab between source and target and you can compare the result by togling between source and target tab.
BTW, anyone with 1 core, dual, or quad core, can you tried to encode with it? Just cancel it after few minutes as I want to see what is your processor utilization with this filter on. Also you can see how long does it take to process this video from the 'estimation time left'.

Noise reduction - RAW fine tuning and the Noise Reduction tool

Hi,
1- If I get it right, Aperture's RAW fine tuning "Automatic noise compensation" (translated from French) option uses the camera's information to adjust the noise. Is that correct?
2- The Noise Reduction tool is there to provide additional noise reduction, but this makes you lose some details. Is that correct?
3- How do you use them? I often find the Noise Reduction tool a bit overkill, but that's me.
4- This one is just out of curiosity. How does A3 compare to LR3 beta for you in that regard? In my testing, LR3 did a slightly better job (but A3 totally beats the crap out of LR2 for noise). BUT I have an old D50, and newer cameras handle noise better (especially Nikon), so does it really make a difference for a 2008 or newer camera?
Thanks!
Manu

Manusnake wrote:
pilotguy74 wrote:
I don't even have this option/checkbox in my Raw Fine Tuning brick.
I wonder if it's due to the type of files (Canon 7D). Do you still have those 7D files I sent you? Does the checkbox appear in Raw Fine Tuning for you with them?
I noticed this option in the manual the other day, but forgot about it until now.
True, it doesn't have the checkbox with the 7D files. However, it as a slider "noise suppression" (again translated) in the RAW fine tuning options (and still has the Noise suppression brick).
If you don't have this one too, have you reprocessed your images with Aperture 3? Since it has a new raw engine, it may be the cause of it.
I find it strange that Apple didn't tout the new RAW engine on Aperture 3 new feature, it clearly is an improvement over Digital Camera RAW 2, especially in noise suppression.
I agree the built-in noise suppression is much better than A2, but IMHO it pales in comparison with the Noise Ninja plugin from Picturecode. The key is that you calibrate a profile for Noise Ninja by shooting a color chart full screen on your computer at varying iso settings with each of your cameras. You then feed the images back in to Aperture, and tell Noise Ninja to create a noise profile for each setting. The results are amazingly good.
Now with a lot of new cameras, noise processing is getting less important because the high iso performance is so good....but this is what makes Noise Ninja special...even when the noise adjustment is subtle, because it is working from a profile created with your camera, at the iso the shot was made at, its effects are seamless. They just announced a 64 bit plugin for Aperture 3, so no bouncing into 32 like other plugins at the moment...
Sincerely,
K.J. Doyle

"noise reduction" not applied to exported photos

I've always used iPhoto to slightly modify my photos, before exporting and sharing or uploading to Flickr.
But, since yesterday, the exported photos do not include my "Reduce Noise" modifications. When I export them, they include the color, retouch and so on, but they look as they were BEFORE I applied the "Reduce Noise" filter.
When I look at them in the browser, they appear WITHOUT noise reduction.
When I press space to see them zoomed, they appear WITHOUT noise reduction.
When I double-clic to switch to edit mode, they appear WITH noise reduction.
And when I export them (either by dragging and dropping to the desktop or an application, using the export function or opening in an external editor), they appear WITHOUT noise reduction.
I have tried to delete the preferences of iPhoto, but the behaviour of iPhoto remains the same.
This applies to all the photos I've tried it onto. And this never happened before yesterday.
I didn't install anything new, I have no plug-ins or things like that. I've repaired the permissions, even restarted and zapped the PRAM. The only thing I've done recently is install Aperture with the 30 days trial offer. Could this be the origin of the problem?
iPhoto is an important tool for me and has always worked perfectly. I hope someone will help me solve what is a big problem for me.

I sent to the trash the iPhoto preferences I could find and launched it again
This time, I got the same behaviour, but also got console messages, as follows:
*18/05/08 00:51:17 [0x0-0xa1ba1b].com.apple.iPhoto[54170]* objc[54170]: Class PlugInLoader is implemented in both /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/BilateralFilter.plugin/Contents/MacOS /BilateralFilter and /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/BlackAndWhitePointsFilter.plugin/Cont ents/MacOS/BlackAndWhitePointsFilter. Using implementation from /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/BlackAndWhitePointsFilter.plugin/Cont ents/MacOS/BlackAndWhitePointsFilter.
*18/05/08 00:51:17 [0x0-0xa1ba1b].com.apple.iPhoto[54170]* objc[54170]: Class PlugInLoader is implemented in both /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/BlackAndWhitePointsFilter.plugin/Cont ents/MacOS/BlackAndWhitePointsFilter and /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/BlackAndWhiteFilter.plugin/Contents/M acOS/BlackAndWhiteFilter. Using implementation from /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/BlackAndWhiteFilter.plugin/Contents/M acOS/BlackAndWhiteFilter.
*18/05/08 00:51:17 [0x0-0xa1ba1b].com.apple.iPhoto[54170]* objc[54170]: Class PlugInLoader is implemented in both /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/BlackAndWhiteFilter.plugin/Contents/M acOS/BlackAndWhiteFilter and /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/SepiaFilter.plugin/Contents/MacOS/Sep iaFilter. Using implementation from /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/SepiaFilter.plugin/Contents/MacOS/Sep iaFilter.
*18/05/08 00:51:17 [0x0-0xa1ba1b].com.apple.iPhoto[54170]* objc[54170]: Class PlugInLoader is implemented in both /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/SepiaFilter.plugin/Contents/MacOS/Sep iaFilter and /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/SaturationFilter.plugin/Contents/MacO S/SaturationFilter. Using implementation from /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/SaturationFilter.plugin/Contents/MacO S/SaturationFilter.
*18/05/08 00:51:17 [0x0-0xa1ba1b].com.apple.iPhoto[54170]* objc[54170]: Class PlugInLoader is implemented in both /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/SaturationFilter.plugin/Contents/MacO S/SaturationFilter and /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/ColorCorrectionFilter.plugin/Contents /MacOS/ColorCorrectionFilter. Using implementation from /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/ColorCorrectionFilter.plugin/Contents /MacOS/ColorCorrectionFilter.
*18/05/08 00:51:17 [0x0-0xa1ba1b].com.apple.iPhoto[54170]* objc[54170]: Class PlugInLoader is implemented in both /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/ColorCorrectionFilter.plugin/Contents /MacOS/ColorCorrectionFilter and /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/LightingFilter.plugin/Contents/MacOS/ LightingFilter. Using implementation from /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/LightingFilter.plugin/Contents/MacOS/ LightingFilter.
*18/05/08 00:51:17 [0x0-0xa1ba1b].com.apple.iPhoto[54170]* objc[54170]: Class PlugInLoader is implemented in both /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/LightingFilter.plugin/Contents/MacOS/ LightingFilter and /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/EffectsFilter01.plugin/Contents/MacOS /EffectsFilter01. Using implementation from /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/EffectsFilter01.plugin/Contents/MacOS /EffectsFilter01.
*18/05/08 00:51:17 [0x0-0xa1ba1b].com.apple.iPhoto[54170]* objc[54170]: Class PlugInLoader is implemented in both /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/EffectsFilter01.plugin/Contents/MacOS /EffectsFilter01 and /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/EffectsFilter05.plugin/Contents/MacOS /EffectsFilter05. Using implementation from /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/EffectsFilter05.plugin/Contents/MacOS /EffectsFilter05.
*18/05/08 00:51:18 [0x0-0xa1ba1b].com.apple.iPhoto[54170]* objc[54170]: Class PlugInLoader is implemented in both /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/EffectsFilter05.plugin/Contents/MacOS /EffectsFilter05 and /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/RemoveBlemishFilter.plugin/Contents/M acOS/RemoveBlemishFilter. Using implementation from /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/PlugIns/RemoveBlemishFilter.plugin/Contents/M acOS/RemoveBlemishFilter.

Possible to reduce default noise reduction?

It seems like Aperture applies a considerable amount of noise reduction to images during raw decoding. The good part is that skies and even-toned parts of the image look very clean. The downside is that some textures take on a plasticy appearance. There are certain images where I'd rather have the extra noise. Is it possible to turn down the strength of this noise reduction? I've tried turning off auto noise compensation and futzing with the moire slider to no avail. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Andreas

It seems like Aperture applies a considerable amount of noise reduction to images during raw decoding. The good part is that skies and even-toned parts of the image look very clean. The downside is that some textures take on a plasticy appearance. There are certain images where I'd rather have the extra noise. Is it possible to turn down the strength of this noise reduction? I've tried turning off auto noise compensation and futzing with the moire slider to no avail. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Andreas

Noise Reduction output Issue

Every time I apply noise reduction in LR3 Beta 2 the adjustments appear in the preview window in LR but as soon as I export as jpeg the processing dissapear. It only happens with noise reduction - all other processing stays on the image. Any Help?

I do notice a difference between the image quality in the Library vs. Develop and noticed that shortly after i had posted the most recent response. I am just a little confused by your post when you say that the effects are only displayed on a 1:1 or higher scale. When i apply any form of NR the previewer - even at FIT - still shows adjustments happening. Is it simply rendering what it thinks may be adjusting or can it not comprehend the larger scale so it just smooths out some details?
And even at that, if i am able to achieve a desired effect in the previewer of Develop - shouldn't Lightroom be able to export that image that is it showing me? I am confident that i am able to reproduce the desired look in photoshop - basically through some smoothing - but the ability to create that in LR would save a lot of time.
I digress i am not very confident in my use of Lightroom as i have only been using it for a brief time - switching primarily from aperture i find lightroom a lot easier and more efficent.

Noise reduction radius past 2.0?

I was originally going to ask if it was possible to set the NR radius past 2.0 but I found after a little playing that, while the slider only goes to 2.0, you can click the number and drag it to 4.0.
Unfortunately, I still have an unsatisfactory amount of sensor/low light noise (from a Canon SD600 @ IS400). Are there strategies other than noise reduction to help correct this? (like gaussian blur followed by unsharp mask or something?)
Since I don't have PS for Mac yet, I hoping for an Aperture only solution at this point.
Thanks!
-Miles

I am having the same problem plus I get an "Uncaught Exception" error when I try to use it and then it crashes.

Noise reduction quick brush - no controls ?

Hi,
After the upgrade to Aperture 3.1, if I apply the Noise Reduction quick brush, I can't see any controls or sliders in the adjustment brick. Does anyone else face this problem ?
I have no idea what should be in there, as I haven't used it before. Only tried the regular NR brick.
It doesn't seem to do anything to the image, even high ISO ones (I thought it might be linked to the RAW fine tuning brick, but it isn't).
Could someone please shed some light on what this tool does, or if you have faced the same issue ?
Thank you
Viren

I'm just agreeing with the OP. The NR Brick works as expected. The NR Quick Brush has no effect whatsoever, and, oddly, it shows up as a separate Brick from the regular NR Brick.
Let's go to the screenshots, all taken at the same exact spot on a 24 MP image shot raw at ISO 800 f/2.8. All details at 1600%
As shot:
/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/126/12613196-1.jpg
After noise reduction applied to entire image via the NR Brick w. default settings:
/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/126/12613196-2.jpg
Without the regular NR Brick, but with NR Quick Brush applied to this area, default settings, strength at 100%:
/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/126/12613196-3.jpg
QED. The NR Quick Brush does nothing. An ugly bug.

V1.1 Noise Reduction

How well does v1.1 improvement in Noise Reduction work?
My Canon Digital Rebel XT takes rather noisey pictures at ISO 1600. A tool called Noise Ninja does an impressive job of removing that noise. Will Aperture's noise reduction replace the need to filter noise with other external software?

I've got a Rebel XT also. That was just about the first thing I checked with 1.1. I was impressed that the combination of noise reduction and sharpening was excellent for my ISO 1600 pictures. First of all Aperture works with the RAW files whereas Noise Ninja works with the PSD, TIFF or JPGs created by the RAW converter. It's my opinion that the overall advantage in quality goes to Aperture for this task as the result is low noise and nicely sharpening images. Noise Ninja will blow away Aperture's work with JPG's.

Vocal Irregularity after applying Noise Reduction

In this new project I followed Bob Howes instruction:
‘Set the FFT size (on the advanced menu) to 2048 and grab a noise print from a gap of "silence". Select the entire filed and do reduction by 7 or 8 dB and 15%ish reduction. Set the FFT size to the next one up, get a new noise print and do another pass with the same low settings. Keep going, upping the FFT size each time.’
This new project I started out first with a Hard Limit. Then I followed Bob's advise with managing by steps the FFT size.
Sample One is a piece of the original.
Sample Two is the results of the effects.
It sounds as though the speed of the vocals did changed - though one can listen to the vocal their conversation sounds - unnatural.
After removing noise is there another approach to redeem the vocals of those speaking?
Thanks!
Original Sample One
HardLimit - Noise Reduction Sample Two
Your video has been published at http://youtu.be/K63D5QNGb_I
Your video will be live at: http://youtu.be/uOtLUYiZyQc

Yes, you have very much overdone the Noise Reduction!
First, I'm not sure why you would need to first apply a "Hard Limit".
Second, are you sure you followed Bob's advice exactly, i.e taking a new noise sample and changing the FFT size on each pass? Are you sure you set everything exactly correct on that first pass?

Noise reduction in Aperture

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