Digital Photographer's Software Guide - Bertemes - Net

Neat Image comes both as a stand-alone program and as a plug-in for innumerable
image editors. For example, as a Photoshop plug-in it can apply noise reduction and
sharpening in a layer, channel, or selection. There are three editions: Demo (freeware
edition with limited functionality), Home (with support for 24-bit images), and Pro
(with support for both 24- and 48-bit images). Both Home and Pro are also available
with the Photoshop-compatible plug-in.
Comments
Just a glance at the samples given on the ABSoft Website indicates how effective is Neat
Image, even without reading the endorsements by leading photographers. Neat Image
can even clean up captured TV frames, completely removing color banding and other
artifacts without destroying detail. Users have access to an extensive profile library where
other expert users have donated the profile sets they have created.
Version: Windows Neat Image 5.9 (2008); Mac 4.5 (2008)
Plugs into: Photoshop 7 and greater; Photoshop Elements 2 and greater; Ulead PhotoImpact;
Serif PhotoPlus; Corel Paint Shop Pro; Microsoft Digital Image Suite and other image editors
OS: Windows, all versions; Mac OS X
RAM: 160MB or more
Supported file formats: Stand-alone edition—TIFF, JPEG, and BMP; Photoshop plug-in—any
format that can be opened by the host software, including PSD, JPEG 2000, RAW, and DNG
Price level: Windows stand-alone Home version $30, with plug-in $50, Pro standalone $60, Pro
version with plug-in $75, Mac Home plug-in $35, Mac Pro plug-in $60
Address: info@neatimage.com
www.neatimage.com
Noise Ninja
Chapter 17 ■ Noise Reduction 209
Vendor: PictureCode
Purpose: Top-rated noise reduction software, with camera-specific profiles and a Noise brush
Description
Noise Ninja consistently rates as one of the best noise-reduction packages, and often
occupies the top spot in comparative reviews. It strikes a good balance between noise
suppression and detail preservation, which is one of the necessities of this software category.
Its tools include automatic and manual noise analysis, camera-specific profiles,
and a feature called the Noise brush, which lets you undo the global noise reduction of
specific parts of the image. You can therefore restore fine detail without letting the noise
creep back into the rest of the picture.
Based on new advances in wavelet theory, Noise Ninja can produce a two-stop gain in
image quality, allowing photographers to shoot at ISO levels they would not normally