Removing Noise

You can use the Remove Noise tool to remove noise from your images while preserving details that you want to retain.

You can use the Remove Noise tool to remove hot image pixels caused by digital cameras with malfunctioning CCD array sensors, or the extra pixels caused by a dusty scanner or camera lens.

You can save your settings as a preset for future use.

To Remove Noise from an Image:

  1. In Edit mode, in the Detail group, select Noise.
  2. You can also access the Noise tool from the Filter drop-down menu or Filter toolbar.

  3. Select the Remove Noise tab.
  4. Select an option from the Noise Type section.
  5. Set the options as described below.
  6. Hold down the Alt key while adjusting a slider to view a preview of its effect on the image.

  7. Do one of the following:
    • Click Done to apply your changes and close the Remove Noise tool.
    • Click Cancel to discard all changes and close the tool.

Click Reset to clear your changes and reset to default settings. If you saved your changes, you cannot reset your settings. If you want to discard only the Edit settings, select File | Restore to Developed.

Noise Removal Options

Apply to channel

  Modifies a targeted color channel by mixing the existing color channels in the image.

Noise Type

 

Camera Noise Removal

Removes digital camera noise. Adjust the following sliders to further remove noise:

   

Luminance

Reduces the random variations of brightness in the noise.

   

Strength

Controls the strength of the Luminance tool.

   

Color Noise Reduction

Drag the slider to the right to remove color noise from the image. Hold down the Alt key while using the slider to see the remaining color noise in the image.

   

Tonal Range

Tonal Range refers to a range of average brightness values in an image. For example, the tonal range of a photo taken in a dark cavern it would be low, whereas a sunny sky would be high.

The Tonal Range slider increases in value from left to right, increasing from a low tonal range on the left to a high tonal range on the right. The Tonal Range slider is used to focus noise reduction to areas of the image that have a corresponding tonal range. For example, the left-most position would reduce the noise in a cavern more than a sky.

Tonal Range only affects luminance noise reduction.

   

Frequency Range

The Frequency Range slider adjusts the noise pattern. High frequency noise looks like fine static while low frequency noise looks like coarse grain or "splotches". Move the Frequency Range slider to the left to limit noise reduction to high frequency noise.

Frequency Range affects both luminance and color noise reduction.

 

Median Noise Removal

Reduces impulsive, or salt-and-pepper noise while preserving edges. Select from the following options to further remove noise:

   

Square

Removes noise using a 3 x 3 pixel square.

   

X

Removes noise using a 3 x 3 pixel X shape. Use this option when you want to preserve an image's thin and diagonal lines.

   

Plus

Removes noise using a 3 x 3 pixel plus (+) shape. Use this option when you want to preserve an image's thin, vertical, and horizontal lines.

 

Despeckle

Removes noise.

 

AI Denoise

Removes noise using AI.

   

Strength

Controls the strength of the AI Denoise tool.

 

You can right-click a slider to reset to the default value.

You can use the Edit Brush to paint this effect onto specific areas of your image.

You can use the Gradient tool to transition this effect across specific areas of your image.

You can use the Radial Gradient tool to apply effects around, or directly to, a center point.

See also: