Adobe included plenty of great improvements in the last Lightroom update that make image editing faster and more effective than ever. One of the new features we haven’t covered in detail is how to use the new AI Denoise tool, and that’s what you’ll learn about in the quick tutorial below from the popular PHLOG Photography YouTube channel.

German landscape photographer Christian Mohrle is a favorite among Shutterbug readers who appreciate his straightforward processing tips, and in this episode he walks you through a step-by-step procedure for using Lightroom’s “phenomenal” Denoise AI tool to “save all your photos.” We suggest downloading his sample Raw file with the link beneath the video so you can make the changes yourself as they’re explained.

Mohrle’s image is intentionally underexposed, so you’ll appreciate the power of this quick fix based upon artificial intelligence. As always, he begins with a few basic adjustments to the overall scene to prepare it for the selective enhancements that follow,

The conventional approach is to go to Lightroom’s Basic tab and bring up exposure while trying to maintain as much detail as possible. But as you’ll see, even though this brightens the image ugly noise immediately begins to appear in the darkest portions of the shot—even though the photo is still too dark.

Mohrle continues the preliminary steps by bring up the shadows and hoping for the best. The photo looks better until you zoom in close to discover that noise is still a huge problem and the image is pretty much unusable as is. He then drops the highlights to recover detail in the bright area of the sky  and increases the blacks to “introduce more softness to the image.”

The next step is significantly increasing color temperature to introduce more warmth. Mohrle then adjusts the tint to mimic a twilight look, increases Texture, and drops Clarity and Dehaze. After pumping up Vibrance it’s now for selective masking and color grading that initiate this impressive transformation.

Mohrle drops a simple Linear Gradient over the everything above the horizon, and a smaller Linear Gradient over the very top of the sky. As Mohrle explains, using two Gradients in this manner “give us a very natural fade from the brightest to the darkest area of the sky.  You’ll see all the tools he uses with both Gradients to achieve a dramatic yet natural looking effect.

Color grading is next, and Mohrle makes significant improvements here too. He does some quick calibration, applies split toning and few other adjustments to differentiate colors in the sky from those in the water, and “really change the atmosphere of the image.”

Now the “fun part” of the technique is revealed by clicking on the Detail tab within Lightroom’s Develop Module. This is where you’ll discover AI Noise Reduction and learn how it works it’s magic while carefully applying sharpening during the process. This approach really works wonders as you’ll see by comparing Mohrle’s before/after image.

There’s much more to learn about shooting and editing landscape photos on Mohrle’s YouTube channel. So pay a visit when you have time to explore. And be sure to check out the tutorial we posted from another pro recently, explaining a foolproof method for creating and refining masks in Lightroom.

The trend these days is definitely in the direction of full-frame cameras, and many photographers have one at the top of their wish list if they haven’t already made the switch. But if you’re still capturing great images with a capable crop-sensor model you may want to hang on to it—at least until you watch the controversial video below.

Rather than beating around the bush, we’ll just let instructor Mark Wiemels lay it out there like this: “Most of the information out there talking about the advantages of full-frame cameras over crop-sensor cameras is just repeated misinformation that has no basis in fact.” And if that’s not blunt enough for you Wiemels says the last thing you should do when purchasing a new camera is to make a decision based upon what he considers a blatant myth.

Weimels is an experienced educator whose mission is to help photographers capture the best images possible with budget equipment. He definitely has an axe to grind when it comes to the dreaded “gear acquisition syndrome,” and frequently posts tutorials designed to save you some money—or at least spend it more wisely.

The first myth on the chopping block is the notion that full-frame cameras always deliver superior results in low light situations or when shooting at high ISO settings. Weimels admits this may be true when comparing some models to others, but he’s adamant that “there are crop-sensor cameras that perform better than full-frame cameras, while other perform just as well.”  

In other words, like with the other parameters discussed, “you don’t automatically get better performance if you’ve got a full-frame camera.” Weimels makes a thoughtful comparison of cameras with both sensor formats, in terms of still photography and videography, and in his view crop-sensor cameras sometimes come out on top.

As you’ll see, Weimels also compares Raw files when it come to various image quality characteristics and, here too, some cameras with smaller sensors deliver admirable performance. If you’re wondering about Jpeg results, he takes a look at those too. In some cases it’s simply a wash when you consider the compromise between noise and image detail.

Weimels discusses other so-called advantages of larger sensors, including the notion that they provide better subject isolation with blurrier backgrounds and shallower depth of field than you can get with a crop-sensor camera. Whether or not you agree, Weimels’ take is interesting because it’s based upon practical matters rather than theoretical constructs.

Keep in mind that crop-sensor cameras tend to be significantly less expensive than their bigger brothers. Likewise, comparable high-quality lenses for crop-sensor camera can be half the price as those for full-frame models. Wiemels wrap things up like this: “For what you would pay for a full-frame camera with a kit lens, you can buy a crop sensor camera with a kit lens and two premium f/1.4 primes lenses.”

After watching the view head over to Weimels’ YouTube channel where you’ll find more great advice that may save you a bunch of cash.

And be sure to check out the earlier tutorial we posted with several “essential” tips for shooting better landscape and nature photos with a wide-angle lens.

What would a world without colors look like? A world reduced only to shades of gray? I was inspired to revisit this altered reality after some time, partly because of the updated version of the DxO Nik Collection plugin and partly because I will have a Leica Monochrom camera on loan for a short test soon. I’m really looking forward to it. And perhaps some of this week’s news gives you reason to be excited as well.

Our local supermarket has Halloween candy and scary witches on display, so that can mean only one thing in New Jersey—school is about to open. Annually, each and every elementary school student produces, on average, 331* metric tons of precious artwork; add another 11* tons if they attend summer camp. Some of the items are small enough to fit on the refrigerator door, and all of them are worth keeping forever. Short of renting offsite storage space to house and curate their youngsters’ souvenirs of academia, how do sentimental parents cope?

[ *Author’s estimate based on absolutely nothing. ]

We’ll get to the aforementioned solution in a minute. It’s called Scribble and you’re going to like it. First, however, we talk supermarkets.

Halloween at the Supermarket
I don’t fault grocers for getting a 60+ day head start on All Hallows’ Eve or any holiday for that matter. They have only a few weeks to push out several tons of cavity makers. Once November 1st arrives, leftover holiday-themed candy is as unwanted as an unwrapped Tootsie Pop.

Black-and-orange candy and ghost caricatures abound where I shop. Thankfully, most of the scary witches have been replaced by self-checkout scanning stations, but there are still a couple who appear out of nowhere when the scanner squawks, “Unexpected item found in bagging area.”

After a quick pat down and a severe dose of stink eye, the witches fade back into the bread aisle.

Old Bags
I see dozens of old bags at the grocery every week. In New Jersey, retailers are forbidden from providing bags for their customers; shoppers must bring their own. Consequently, you see old bags everywhere. Ostensibly the law was enacted to protect the environment. If they really want to have an impact, the state should issue every citizen a war surplus canteen and totally eliminate plastic water bottles.

This is happening in a state where by law we are not allowed to dispense gasoline into our own cars. Don’t ask me why.

Who Wants in On This?
I’m vaguely considering opening a chain of supermarkets called “Singles,” stores where everything is sold in portion sizes suitable for one person. We’ll sell solo-size packages of frozen fish sticks and Dove bars and Kraft Singles Cheese Slices, and all the rest, and have a combination martini and latte bar, where single people buying single portions can meet and mingle and work on becoming a couple, after which they are no longer allowed to shop therein. Want in? Message me on our Facebook page.

The Solution for Your Kiddo’s School Art Collection
Instead of 437 Rubbermaid Clearvestore plastic tubs with lids and a few dozen miscellaneous containers, trailers and boxcars filled with priceless child art, use Scribble to create a stunning hardcover photo book that you’ll treasure forever.

It’s easy because Scribble takes all the work out of it.

1. Start by snapping a picture of said artwork. Include 3D items like decorated coffee cans and clay figurines. The images don’t have to be perfect. In fact, you might want to have your child do the photography. Scribble will straighten the images and remove unwanted backgrounds.

2. Upload the images to Scribble.

3. Scribble uses proprietary “Automagic Book Creation” algorithms to enhance the pics. Then it creates a photo book. Books are printed on 100# premium matte paper.

4. Several collaborators can work on a Scribble book, so its benefits are fully available to those who are coparenting.

You must publish at least 24 images, but you don’t have to upload them all at the same time; you can handle the inflow as it arrives. And of course you can add more pages. Each page displays one piece of artwork. You can add captions and descriptions if you want.

Price for a 24-page 8.5 x 8.5 inch book is $39.99. For a book that’s 8.5 x 11, it’s $49.99. Optionally you may add additional pages at 30¢ per page; that means you can enjoy a 50-page book for just an additional $7.20. Maximum page count is 200 per book. Shipping to the lower 48 states is free.

Cost includes a FREE digital version you can share with grandparents, teachers and jealous cousins.

Imagine how wonderful it could be to revisit your child’s collection of Scribble books when your kids are suddenly 20-somethings. Everyone tells you how fast your offspring grow up. Scribble won’t slow the experience down but it does provide something to cherish in a timeless fashion.

Year-round…
Off topic again. On a very serious note, reduce your speed in School Zones. If you live in New Jersey, reduce your speed period. And watch out for kids because they seldom watch out for cars.

…and On Halloween
Don’t let children under 30 trick-or-treat alone. When someone leaves a full bowl of candy on their porch, don’t assume it’s all for you. Never buy the kind of candy you like for Halloween—and take all the surplus sweets to work the next day so everyone can fatten up equally. If you wear dentures or have fillings, avoid Tootsie Rolls and Kraft Caramels (don’t say I didn’t warn you). Never try to chew a Jolly Rancher. If you want to skip the holiday hoopla but not be a spoilsport, turn off all your lights on October 31st and instead mail a $100 check to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Halloween candy is expensive but children are priceless.

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