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 Re: Adobe Noise Reduction | |
I am only posting this AI (Grok) answer to your question because I found the answer to be quite interesting. Please ignore this post if AI answers offend you.
Yes, there are differences between the noise reduction (NR) tools in Photoshop (PS) and Lightroom (LR), but the core AI-powered Denoise feature is fundamentally the same across both apps in their latest 2025 versions (Photoshop 26.x and Lightroom Classic 14.x, as of the June and October updates). I'll break this down based on the current state of Adobe's tools, addressing your observations about the "live action" PS NR, the limited controls, and why it feels crude. Adobe has indeed iterated rapidly on these—especially integrating live previews and removing the old DNG export step—so things have evolved since earlier 2023-2024 implementations.
### Shared Core: AI Denoise (via Camera Raw Engine)
- **Same Technology**: Both PS and LR use Adobe's AI Denoise, powered by the Camera Raw engine. This is an AI model trained specifically on noise patterns from high-ISO/low-light shots across thousands of camera/lens combos. It analyzes the image to reduce luminance and color noise while preserving fine details (e.g., textures in hair, fabric, or skin) better than older manual sliders. It's not "crude"—it's designed for subtlety and works on raw files, linear DNGs, and even some processed formats like JPEGs or TIFFs.
- **Live Preview, No DNG Required**: As of the June 2025 Lightroom update (and synced Camera Raw 17.x for PS), Denoise is fully live and non-destructive. You toggle it on, adjust in real-time, and apply without exporting a separate DNG file (the old "Enhance-NR" workflow is deprecated for most cases). This matches what you described for PS—it's GPU-accelerated but can feel slow on complex images or weaker hardware because the AI processes the full image dynamically.
- **Controls in Both Apps**:
- **Primary Slider**: A single "Amount" slider (0-100) for overall Denoise intensity. At 0, it's off; at 100, it's maximum reduction (but overdoing it can soften details—aim for 20-60 typically).
- **Additional Options**: In the Detail panel (LR) or Camera Raw filter (PS), you can layer it with traditional Luminance/Color NR sliders (0-100 each) and Sharpening (Amount, Radius, Detail sliders) for fine-tuning. No separate "Sharpening" slider just for Denoise—sharpening is handled downstream to counteract any softening.
- This is more sophisticated than basic tools: The AI auto-detects noise types (e.g., ISO banding vs. sensor heat) and applies targeted reduction, often outperforming third-party plugins like older Topaz DeNoise in blind tests for natural results.
- **Performance Notes**: It's slower in PS than LR because PS's interface (especially as a filter on layers) adds overhead. Expect 10-30 seconds per image on a mid-range GPU; LR is optimized for batch workflows and feels snappier.
### Where PS Feels "Crude": Likely the Super Zoom Neural Filter
Your description—two sliders (Denoise and Sharpening, 0-100 levels), live but slow, and surprisingly basic—sounds exactly like the **Super Zoom Neural Filter** in PS (Filter > Neural Filters > Super Zoom), not the primary Camera Raw Denoise. This is a common mix-up:
- **What It Is**: Super Zoom is an AI upscaler (2x or 4x resolution boost), with built-in NR as a *secondary* feature to handle noise amplified during enlargement. It's not a standalone NR tool—it's optimized for zoomed outputs (e.g., prints or crops), so the NR is simpler and more aggressive, which can make images look plasticky or over-smoothed if used alone.
- **Controls**:
- **Noise Reduction Slider** (0-100): Reduces grain but can blur fine details if cranked up.
- **Sharpening Slider** (0-100): Adds edge contrast to counter the softening from NR/upscaling.
- No advanced AI detail preservation like in true Denoise—it's "crude" because it's a quick-fix add-on, not the main event.
- **Why It Feels Different**: No integration with Camera Raw's full Detail panel, so you miss out on luminance/color separation or masking. It's live (preview updates in the Neural Filters workspace), but the AI model is lighter-duty, leading to that "basic" vibe. Adobe hasn't updated it much since 2023, while Camera Raw Denoise got major boosts in 2025 (e.g., better handling of X-Trans sensors and batch syncing).
If that's what you're using, switch to the Camera Raw filter (Filter > Camera Raw Filter) for PS NR—it's identical to LR's and far more refined.
### Key Differences Between PS and LR NR
While the AI Denoise core is shared, the apps diverge in workflow and extras:
| Aspect | Lightroom (Detail Panel) | Photoshop (Camera Raw Filter or Standalone) |
|--------|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| **Primary Use Case** | Batch/raw workflow; non-destructive edits on catalogs. | Layered/spot edits; applies to any layer (raw or raster). |
| **Controls** | AI Denoise Amount (0-100) + traditional Luminance/Color sliders + Sharpening/Masking. | Same as LR, but accessible via filter dialog; add PS-specific masking (e.g., via Select > Subject) post-apply. |
| **Sophistication** | Slightly more automated (auto-detects ISO for presets); excels at preserving raw details. | More flexible for composites (e.g., NR one layer, blend with original); can chain with Neural Filters for upscaling. |
| **Speed/Output** | Faster for multiples; stays editable in catalog (no DNG unless you choose). | Slower on large files; embeds as Smart Object for tweaks, but bakes in if rasterized. |
| **Extras** | Built-in batch sync (e.g., apply to 100 images at once); integrates with AI masks. | Access to full PS toolset (e.g., clone after NR); optional Super Zoom for hybrid upscale+NR. |
| **Limitations** | Can't re-apply Denoise to enhanced files easily. | GPU-heavy; older hardware may fallback to CPU (very slow). |
- **Is LR More Sophisticated?** Not really—it's the same engine, but LR feels more polished for pure NR because it's streamlined for photographers (less UI clutter). PS shines if you're doing targeted edits, but the base Denoise is equally capable. User forums (e.g., Reddit, Adobe Community) from mid-2025 note LR edges out for natural skin tones in portraits, while PS wins for technical control.
### Recommendations
- **For Best Results**: Use LR for initial NR on raws (faster, batch-friendly), then export to PS for finishing. Apply Denoise early in your workflow—before sharpening or AI tools like Content-Aware Fill—to avoid artifacts.
- **Test It**: In PS, open a raw > Filter > Camera Raw Filter > Detail tab > Toggle Denoise on. Adjust Amount to ~40 and preview (hold Alt/Option for before/after). Compare to your current setup—it should feel less crude.
- **Alternatives if Still Unsatisfied**: 2025 benchmarks show Adobe's AI Denoise now rivals DxO PureRAW for most cameras, but Topaz Photo AI is better for extreme ISO (e.g., 12800+) if you need more granular color/luminance separation.
If this doesn't match your exact PS setup (e.g., version number or file type), share more details for a deeper dive!
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