Shadow Detail Lost with NI

[anirbax]

Hi,

I am trying out NR of an image from Pentax K100D at ISO 1600; I am comparing Neat Image 5.9 with Noise Ninja 5.9

Here is the original

http://bp1.blogger.com/_yOxi5n5830c/SHe ... GP0057.JPG

This one below is processed with Neat Image 5.9, free version, with the K100D ISO 1600 profile (Normal, no sharpening).

http://bp3.blogger.com/_yOxi5n5830c/SHe ... 4-v5.9.jpg

Another one with Neat Image (older version):

http://bp2.blogger.com/_yOxi5n5830c/SHe ... timage.jpg

The next one is processed with Noise Ninja 2.1.1, free edition

http://bp2.blogger.com/_yOxi5n5830c/SHe ... -2.1.1.JPG


I love the details in the NI images, but somehow the shadow details seem to be getting lost (look at the crotch area of the figurine:- ) ). Noise Ninja seems to be preserving more details in the shadows, but removes lot of midtonal details.

What am I doing wrong with Neat Image?

Thanks,
Anirban

[NITeam]

I recommend to try building your own profile for ISO 1600 of K100D using the Calibration Target. This should make the profile more accurate in the shadows and filtration will be more accurate too.

On the other hand, that dark area contains mostly noise anyway, so you may want to simply use a smaller noise reduction amount to keep more noise in (which will make it looks like details to an eye).

Hope this helps,
Vlad