Reducing Noise

Reduce noise in images caused by high ISO settings or long exposure.

Settings can be set as a preset for future use.

To reduce noise in an image:

  1. In the Develop Tools pane, select the Detail tab.
  2. In the Noise Reduction group, adjust the sliders as described below.

Right-click a slider to reset to the default value.

Noise Reduction Options

Luminance

Drag the slider to the right to reduce the visibility of lighting noise. Apply a setting that is proportional to the noise in the image and refer to the preview window to ensure that you balance the level of noise reduction with loss of detail. Hold down the Alt key while using the slider to see the remaining noise in the image.

Strength

Drag the slider to the right to control how aggressively to reduce noise. Prevent the loss of detail by balancing Luminance with Strength.

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 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 images 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.

Noise Reduction Applied With the Develop Brush

For targeting specific areas of noise reduction within an image, use the Develop Brush to apply the noise reduction.

To apply Noise Reduction with the Develop Brush:

  1. Open an image in ACDSee RAW.
  2. In the Develop Tools pane, select the Detail tab.
  3. In the Detail tab, select the Develop Brush.
  4. Adjust the noise reduction options as described below.

Develop Brush Noise Reduction Options

Sharpness Move the slider to the right to brush on sharpness, or move the slider to the left to brush on blur.
Luminance Noise Reduction Luminance noise is random variations of brightness, and particularly in gray areas, may appear spotted when there should be a solid color in the area of the image. Slide to the right to add Luminance Noise Reduction.
Color Noise Reduction Color noise is random variations of color in the image. Slide to the right to add Color Noise Reduction.

Noise Reduction Applied With the Linear Gradient

For targeting specific areas of noise reduction within an image, use the Linear Gradient tool to apply the noise reduction.

To apply Noise Reduction with the Linear Gradient tool:

  1. Open an image in ACDSee RAW.
  2. In the Develop Tools pane, select the Detail tab.
  3. In the Detail tab, select the Linear Gradient tool.
  4. Adjust the noise reduction options as described below.

Linear Gradient Noise Reduction Options

Sharpness Move the slider to the right to brush on sharpness, or move the slider to the left to brush on blur.
Luminance Noise Reduction Luminance noise is random variations of brightness, and particularly in gray areas, may appear spotted when there should be a solid color in the area of the image. Slide to the right to add Luminance Noise Reduction.
Color Noise Reduction Color noise is random variations of color in the image. Slide to the right to add Color Noise Reduction.

Noise Reduction Applied With the Radial Gradient

For targeting specific areas of noise reduction within an image, use the Radial Gradient tool to apply the noise reduction.

To apply Noise Reduction with the Radial Gradient tool:

  1. Open an image in ACDSee RAW.
  2. In the Develop Tools pane, select the Detail tab.
  3. In the Detail tab, select the Radial Gradient tool.
  4. Adjust the noise reduction options as described below.

Radial Gradient Noise Reduction Options

Sharpness Move the slider to the right to brush on sharpness, or move the slider to the left to brush on blur.
Luminance Noise Reduction Luminance noise is random variations of brightness, and particularly in gray areas, may appear spotted when there should be a solid color in the area of the image. Slide to the right to add Luminance Noise Reduction.
Color Noise Reduction Color noise is random variations of color in the image. Slide to the right to add Color Noise Reduction.

See also: