BEST software for FIXING BLURRED / OUT OF FOCUS portraits

Glyn Dewis
21 Feb 202308:22

TLDRThe video script narrates the photographer's experience with fixing a misfocused portrait using various software tools. Initially, the photographer faced a focus issue in a favorite portrait, where the camera focused on the subject's hair instead of her eyes. Through online research and trials, the photographer explored Adobe Lightroom's sharpening adjustments, Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., and Topaz Sharpen AI. While each tool had its limitations, Topaz Sharpen AI ultimately provided the best result, allowing for precise control over sharpening and noise reduction, thus saving the portrait.

Takeaways

  • 📸 The speaker recently took a favorite portrait but faced a focus issue with the camera focusing on the subject's hair instead of the eyes.
  • 💻 The issue could have ruined the portrait, but the speaker turned to software solutions to fix the problem.
  • 🌐 The speaker researched online and found recommendations for software that could potentially fix the blurred image.
  • 🔍 Three software options were explored: Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., and Topaz Sharpen AI.
  • 🚫 Luminar Neo's 'Super Sharp' feature did not produce satisfactory results for the speaker's needs.
  • ✅ On1 Noise A.I. showed improvement by combining the 'Tack Sharp AI' and 'Noise' adjustments, but introduced some noise.
  • 🌟 Topaz Sharpen AI delivered the most impressive results, significantly improving the sharpness of the subject's eyes and overall quality.
  • 🎨 The speaker used Photoshop to apply the sharpening effects selectively to the eyes for a personalized touch.
  • 🤔 Despite the success, the speaker is hopeful that they won't need to rely on such software fixes in the future.
  • 👍 The video serves as a testament to the power and potential of advanced image editing software.
  • 📢 The speaker encourages viewers to support the channel through likes, subscriptions, and shares.

Q & A

  • What was the main issue with the photographer's favorite portrait?

    -The main issue with the photographer's favorite portrait was that the camera had focused on the subject's hair instead of her eyes, resulting in a blurry image.

  • How did the photographer attempt to resolve the focus issue?

    -The photographer attempted to resolve the focus issue by using various software solutions to sharpen the image and correct the blurriness.

  • What are the three software solutions mentioned in the script?

    -The three software solutions mentioned in the script are Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., and Topaz Sharpen AI.

  • What was the outcome of using Luminar Neo on the portrait?

    -Using Luminar Neo on the portrait did not yield satisfactory results. The 'Super Sharp' feature with low and medium settings did not improve the image significantly, and the 'Face Enhancer' option altered the face too much.

  • How effective was On1 Noise A.I. in fixing the blurry eyes?

    -On1 Noise A.I. was somewhat effective in fixing the blurry eyes. The 'Tack Sharp AI' feature improved the eye detail, but it also introduced noise and altered the skin tone. Combining the noise and tack sharp sections improved the result further.

  • What was the final outcome when the photographer used Topaz Sharpen AI?

    -Topaz Sharpen AI produced an impressive result, significantly improving the sharpness of the eyes and effectively addressing the blurriness. The photographer was able to further tweak the result in Photoshop to achieve the desired look.

  • What was the photographer's initial skepticism about using software to fix blurry images?

    -The photographer was initially skeptical because software companies often advertise their products with pre-qualified images that are known to yield good results, and the photographer was unsure if the software would perform just as well on an actual image they had taken.

  • How did the photographer use Topaz Sharpen AI in conjunction with Photoshop?

    -The photographer duplicated the image in Photoshop, sent the duplicate into Topaz Sharpen AI for processing, and then brought it back into Photoshop. They added a black layer mask and used a white brush to selectively bring back the sharpness in the eyes.

  • What was the photographer's overall impression of the software solutions?

    -The photographer was amazed by the capabilities of the software solutions, especially Topaz Sharpen AI, but expressed a hope to never have to rely on such software for fixing blurry or out-of-focus images in the future.

  • What advice does the photographer give regarding the use of these software solutions?

    -The photographer does not recommend relying on these software solutions for all situations, but acknowledges that they can be very useful in certain cases, and is glad that such technology exists.

  • How can viewers support the photographer's channel?

    -Viewers can support the photographer's channel by giving a thumbs up if they found the video useful, subscribing to the channel for free to support it, and sharing the content if they feel inclined to.

Outlines

00:00

📸 Overcoming Focus Issues in Portrait Photography

The speaker discusses a recent portrait they took and their satisfaction with the result, despite it being a rare occurrence for them to photograph females. They encountered a significant issue with the image due to overconfidence, where the camera focused on the subject's hair rather than her eyes. The speaker highlights their journey to fix this problem using software, as the image would have been unusable otherwise. They mention an article on their website detailing the setup and lighting of the portrait, and discuss the limitations of Adobe's Lightroom for fixing focus issues. The speaker then explores three software options - Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., and Topaz Sharpen AI - sharing their experiences and the effectiveness of each in attempting to salvage the image.

05:00

💡 Evaluating Software Solutions for Image Sharpening

Continuing from the previous paragraph, the speaker delves into their experience using the three software options to fix the focus issue in the portrait. They describe the process and results of using Luminar Neo and On1 Noise A.I., noting the limitations and drawbacks of each. The speaker then discusses their success with Topaz Sharpen AI, which they eventually used for the final edit. They share their method of using Photoshop in conjunction with Topaz Sharpen AI to selectively apply sharpness to the eyes. The speaker concludes by expressing their amazement at the capabilities of such software, while also hoping not to rely on it in the future, and invites viewers to support the channel through likes and subscriptions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡portrait

A portrait refers to a photograph or artistic representation of a person, typically focusing on their face or a part of their body to capture their likeness, personality, or mood. In the video, the speaker discusses a recent portrait they took, which turned out well despite initial challenges with focus issues.

💡overconfidence

Overconfidence is a state of mind where an individual is excessively certain or optimistic about their abilities or the outcome of their actions. In the context of the video, the speaker's overconfidence led to a mistake where the camera focused on the subject's hair instead of her eyes, nearly ruining the portrait.

💡editing

Editing in photography refers to the process of adjusting and refining an image using various software tools to enhance its visual appeal, correct errors, or convey a specific artistic vision. The video centers around the editing process the speaker went through to fix the focus issue in the portrait.

💡focus issue

A focus issue in photography occurs when the camera does not correctly focus on the intended part of the subject, resulting in a blurry or out-of-focus image. In the video, the speaker encountered a focus issue where the camera focused on the hair instead of the eyes, which is critical for a portrait.

💡Luminar Neo

Luminar Neo is a software program designed to enhance and edit photos using artificial intelligence, including features to sharpen images and improve focus. In the video, it is one of the software options the speaker尝试ed to fix the focus issue in the portrait.

💡On1 Noise A.I., 2023

On1 Noise A.I., 2023 is a software program that uses artificial intelligence to reduce noise and enhance sharpness in digital images. The speaker in the video used this software as part of their attempt to correct the focus issue in the portrait.

💡Topaz Sharpen AI

Topaz Sharpen AI is a specialized software tool that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to sharpen images and correct focus problems. In the video, it is the software that ultimately provided the best results for the speaker's portrait editing challenge.

💡Lightroom

Lightroom is a popular photo editing software developed by Adobe, widely used by photographers for importing, organizing, editing, and exporting images. In the video, Lightroom serves as the platform from which the speaker launches other software to edit the portrait.

💡sharpening adjustments

Sharpening adjustments are editing techniques used to enhance the clarity and detail of an image, making it appear more defined and crisp. The video discusses the use of sharpening adjustments as part of the process to fix a blurry portrait.

💡blur

Blur in photography refers to the lack of sharpness in an image, often caused by camera movement, incorrect focus, or other factors. The main theme of the video revolves around the problem of blur and the various methods attempted to correct it.

💡artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence, or AI, refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think, learn, and problem-solve like humans. In the video, AI is utilized in photo editing software to automatically enhance image sharpness and correct focus issues.

Highlights

The speaker shares a favorite recent portrait they took, expressing satisfaction with the result.

The portrait features a female subject, which the speaker notes is a rarity in their photography.

An issue with the focus was discovered post-shoot, as the camera focused on the hair instead of the eyes.

Software was used to fix the focus issue, which the speaker wants to demonstrate in the video.

The speaker's website has an article detailing the setup, lighting, and process of taking the portrait.

A simple one light setup was used, aimed down to a reflector held below chest height.

The editing process was unique but the speaker had to address the focus issue before proceeding.

The speaker only took one shot, making the focus issue critical for the portrait's success.

Various software options for fixing blurred or out-of-focus images were researched online.

Three specific software options were tried: Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., 2023, and Topaz Sharpen AI.

Luminar Neo's super sharp feature did not produce satisfactory results for the portrait.

On1 Noise A.I.'s Tack Sharp AI section showed promise but introduced noise.

Topaz Sharpen AI produced the best results, significantly improving the eye detail and overall portrait quality.

The speaker used Photoshop to apply the sharpening effects selectively to the eyes.

The speaker expresses amazement at the capabilities of such software and its potential applications.

Despite the positive outcome, the speaker hopes not to rely on such software fixes in the future.

The video concludes with the speaker's appreciation for the existence of such advanced technology.