TOPAZ PHOTO AI 3 Affinity photo Workflow - Lowlight Cityscape Night Photography Denoise Sharpening
Howto & Style
Introduction
Returning to photography editing can be a refreshing experience, especially when revisiting the early days of your photographic journey. Since I started my adventure with photography, I've accumulated a wealth of knowledge and skills. One pivotal moment was when I first experimented with long exposure photography using the Canon 5D Mark II, a camera I still regard as one of the best full-frame options available for its price.
Despite the limitations of the tools back in 2016, I was eager to learn and capture beautiful images. However, long exposure photography often results in noticeable noise, particularly when working with high ISO settings. My goal was to maintain quality despite the challenges I faced during those early attempts.
Tools have evolved significantly since then, and the software available for noise reduction and global adjustments has vastly improved. Nowadays, software such as Topaz Photo AI, Adobe Lightroom, and Capture One offer powerful features for refining images. For this tutorial, I'll be using Affinity Photo as my primary editing tool paired with Topaz Photo AI as a plugin.
The image I chose for this demonstration exhibits some intriguing qualities. It contains great foreground detail but lacks sharpness in the background. This is the perfect opportunity to leverage Topaz Photo AI for denoising and sharpening.
First, I opened the image in the development module of Affinity Photo. After some basic lens correction and adjustments to exposure and color, I found the image still had noticeable noise. I duplicated the layer and turned on Topaz Photo AI to apply noise reduction and sharpening to the image.
After adjusting several parameters within the Topaz plugin, I experimented with denoise and sharpening settings to find an optimal balance. This involved exploring the detail refinement controls to maintain a natural look without over-processing the image. The plugin intelligently addressed noise reduction while still preserving key details.
Next, I took the processed image back into Affinity Photo and began further enhancements. I applied automatic color corrections to counteract a slight greenish tint and played with the white balance to achieve a more accurate representation of colors.
The final steps involved additional sharpening, especially for the foreground elements, while being cautious of the background to avoid introducing artifacts. After much trial and error, I utilized the eraser tool within Topaz Photo AI to selectively apply sharpening to areas that needed it.
As I completed the editing process, I couldn't help but marvel at the transformation from the original image. Although the final result may not be perfect, it is a testament to the advancements in software and my own improvements as a photographer.
For anyone looking to enhance low-light cityscape photography, combining the capabilities of Topaz Photo AI with Affinity Photo can yield impressive results. Enjoy your photography journey, and I hope this tutorial provides valuable insights into post-processing techniques.
Keyword
Topaz Photo AI, Affinity Photo, low-light photography, long exposure, denoise, sharpening, cityscape photography, noise reduction, color correction, image processing.
FAQ
1. What is Topaz Photo AI?
Topaz Photo AI is a photo enhancement software that uses artificial intelligence to improve image quality by reducing noise and sharpening details.
2. Can I use Topaz Photo AI with Affinity Photo?
Yes, Topaz Photo AI can be used as a plugin within Affinity Photo, allowing for a seamless editing workflow.
3. What are the benefits of using Topaz Photo AI for low-light photography?
Topaz Photo AI excels in denoising images taken in low-light conditions, helping to reduce unwanted noise while enhancing overall detail and sharpness.
4. How can I correct color issues in my photos?
You can use automatic color correction features in Affinity Photo, or adjust white balance settings to fix color issues in your images.
5. Is it possible to selectively sharpen certain areas of an image?
Yes, Topaz Photo AI offers options for selecting specific areas to apply sharpening, enabling you to enhance details while preserving the softness of other regions.