BEST software for FIXING BLURRED / OUT OF FOCUS portraits

Glyn Dewis
21 Feb 202308:22

TLDRThe video discusses the use of software to correct blurred or out-of-focus portraits. The author shares their experience with three programs: Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., and Topaz Sharpen AI. While Luminar Neo and On1 Noise A.I. provided some improvement, Topaz Sharpen AI delivered the best results, effectively sharpening the subject's eyes and restoring the image quality. The author expresses amazement at the capabilities of such software and their potential utility in fixing photographic mistakes.

Takeaways

  • 📸 The speaker recently took a favorite portrait but faced an issue with the camera focusing on the subject's hair instead of the eyes.
  • 💻 The speaker had to find software to fix the focus issue as a blurry portrait would be unusable, and only one shot was taken.
  • 🔍 After researching online, the speaker discovered three software options known for potentially fixing out-of-focus images: Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., and Topaz Sharpen AI.
  • 🖼️ Luminar Neo was tested first, but the results were disappointing, with little improvement in the sharpness of the eyes and unwanted changes to the face.
  • 🎨 On1 Noise A.I. was the next attempt, which showed some improvement in eye detail but introduced noise and altered skin tone.
  • 👁️ Topaz Sharpen AI was the last software tested, and it provided an impressive result, significantly improving the sharpness of the eyes and overall quality of the portrait.
  • 🤖 The speaker acknowledges that using such software is not their preferred choice, but they appreciate the existence of such technology for saving images with focus issues.
  • 💡 The video also includes a link to an article on the speaker's website detailing the setup, lighting, and original editing process for the portrait.
  • 🔗 The speaker advises that if the third software doesn't work well, On1 Noise A.I. might be the best option.
  • 🚫 The speaker was initially skeptical about the effectiveness of these software solutions, but the results were surprisingly good.
  • 💌 The speaker encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and share the video if they found it useful.

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 blurred image.

  • What was the photographer's initial reaction upon realizing the focus issue?

    -The photographer was initially worried and nearly decided to discard the portrait due to the focus issue on the subject's hair rather than her eyes.

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

    -The photographer attempted to fix the focus issue by using various software solutions, specifically Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., 2023, and Topaz Sharpen AI.

  • What was the outcome of using Luminar Neo's super sharp feature?

    -The outcome of using Luminar Neo's super sharp feature was not satisfactory. The software took a long time to process the image, but the results did not significantly improve the focus of the subject's eyes and introduced unwanted changes to the face.

  • How effective was On1 Noise A.I. in improving the focus of the portrait?

    -On1 Noise A.I. was somewhat effective. The Tack Sharp AI deblur slider improved the eye detail, but it also introduced noise and altered the skin tone. However, using both the noise and tack sharp sections together yielded better results, maintaining the improved sharpness while restoring the skin tone.

  • What was the result of using Topaz Sharpen AI on the portrait?

    -Topaz Sharpen AI provided an excellent result. It significantly improved the focus on the subject's eyes and offered additional controls for fine-tuning the outcome, such as adjusting blur type, suppressing noise, and removing artifacts.

  • How did the photographer apply the sharpening effect selectively in the final edit?

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

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

    -The photographer was initially skeptical but was amazed by the results, especially with Topaz Sharpen AI. However, they hope not to rely on such software for fixing focus issues in the future and appreciate the existence of such technology as a last resort.

  • What advice does the photographer give to viewers regarding these software solutions?

    -The photographer does not recommend relying on these software solutions for all situations but acknowledges their usefulness in certain cases. They encourage viewers to give a thumbs up if they found the video useful and to subscribe for more content.

  • What was the lighting setup for the portrait?

    -The lighting setup for the portrait was a simple one light setup from above in front of the subject, aimed down to a reflector held just below chest height.

  • What is the photographer's final verdict on the software options explored?

    -The photographer concluded that while all the software options had their pros and cons, Topaz Sharpen AI provided the best results for the specific portrait in question, despite not being a solution they would recommend for all situations.

Outlines

00:00

📸 Overcoming Focus Issues in Portrait Photography

The speaker discusses a recent portrait they took and their satisfaction with the outcome, despite the initial challenge of the camera focusing on the subject's hair rather than her eyes. They delve into the process of fixing this focus issue using software, as they had only taken a single shot. The speaker shares their research and experience with various software options声称 to fix blurred or out-of-focus images, including Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., and Topaz Sharpen AI. They detail the steps and results of using each software, highlighting the pros and cons, and conclude that while Luminar Neo was not effective for this particular portrait, On1 Noise A.I. showed promise when used with both noise and tack sharp sections. However, Topaz Sharpen AI provided the best results, allowing them to salvage the portrait and achieve a sharp focus on the eyes, which was their main concern.

05:00

🌟 The Power of Topaz Sharpen AI in Image Correction

The speaker continues their narrative by discussing the impressive results obtained from using Topaz Sharpen AI on the same portrait. They explain that despite their initial skepticism about the software's advertised capabilities, the outcome exceeded their expectations. The software quickly processed the image and significantly improved the sharpness of the subject's eyes. The speaker also describes their workflow of using the software in conjunction with Photoshop to apply the sharpening effects selectively. They conclude by expressing their gratitude for the existence of such powerful tools, even though they hope never to need them again, and they encourage viewers to support the channel through likes and subscriptions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Blurred Portraits

Blurred Portraits refer to photographs where the subject, usually a person, is not in sharp focus. This can occur due to camera settings, movement, or other factors affecting the image quality. In the context of the video, the photographer unintentionally captured a portrait with the focus on the subject's hair rather than her eyes, resulting in a blurred image. The main challenge and theme of the video is to address this issue and find a solution to restore the sharpness of the portrait, particularly the eyes, which are crucial for a compelling portrait.

💡Software Solutions

Software Solutions in this context refers to digital tools or programs designed to rectify issues in photographs, such as blurring or lack of focus. The video explores various software options that claim to enhance image sharpness and detail. These solutions use algorithms and artificial intelligence to analyze and adjust the image, aiming to bring out more clarity and definition in the subject's features. The software discussed includes Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., and Topaz Sharpen AI, each offering different methods and levels of success in fixing the blurred portrait.

💡Lightroom

Lightroom is a popular photo editing software developed by Adobe, widely used by photographers for managing, editing, and enhancing digital images. In the video, Lightroom serves as the primary platform from which the photographer accesses and tests various software solutions to fix the blurred portrait. It provides basic editing tools and the ability to export images in specific formats and settings, which is essential for further processing in other software.

💡Sharpening Adjustments

Sharpening Adjustments are editing techniques used to enhance the clarity and detail of an image, making the subjects appear more defined and in focus. In the video, the photographer discusses the use of sharpening tools within different software to correct the blurriness in the portrait. These adjustments often involve manipulating the contrast along the edges of objects within the image to create an illusion of increased sharpness.

💡Luminar Neo

Luminar Neo is a photo editing software that offers a range of tools and features, including the 'Super Sharp' option designed to enhance image sharpness. In the video, the photographer uses Luminar Neo to attempt to fix the blurred portrait. However, the results are not satisfactory, as the software does not significantly improve the focus of the eyes, and the face enhancer option alters the face too much.

💡On1 Noise A.I.

On1 Noise A.I. is a software specifically designed to reduce noise in digital images while sharpening details. The video highlights the software's ability to work on noise and sharpness separately or together, using the Tack Sharp AI deblur slider to address the focus issue. The photographer finds that combining the noise and tack sharp sections provides a noticeable improvement in the portrait's eye detail and skin tone, making it a viable solution.

💡Topaz Sharpen AI

Topaz Sharpen AI is a specialized software that uses artificial intelligence to sharpen images and address focus issues. In the video, it is presented as the most effective solution for the blurred portrait, significantly improving the sharpness of the eyes and providing additional control options for fine-tuning the result. The photographer uses this software to achieve a dramatic improvement in the image quality, making it the preferred choice for this particular task.

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely recognized image editing software developed by Adobe, used for a variety of tasks including photo manipulation, graphic design, and digital art. In the video, the photographer employs Photoshop to further refine the results obtained from Topaz Sharpen AI. By duplicating the image and applying a layer mask, the photographer selectively brings back the sharpness in the eyes, achieving a personalized look for the final portrait.

💡Focus on Eyes

In portrait photography, focusing on the eyes is critical as they are often considered the most expressive part of a person's face and play a significant role in conveying emotion and connecting with the viewer. The video emphasizes the importance of having sharp eyes in a portrait, as the initial issue with the photo was the lack of focus on the subject's eyes, which was the main target for correction using the various software solutions.

💡Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think, learn, and problem-solve like humans. In the context of the video, AI is utilized in the software solutions to analyze and enhance the image. The AI algorithms in programs like Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., and Topaz Sharpen AI work to detect and sharpen details in the portrait, particularly focusing on the eyes, to improve the overall clarity and quality of the image.

Highlights

The video discusses the process of fixing a blurred portrait by focusing on the eyes.

The photographer's overconfidence led to a focus issue on the subject's hair instead of her eyes.

Software was used to attempt to correct the focus problem in the portrait.

The article on the photographer's website explains the setup and lighting for the portrait.

Adobe's article on deblurring photos suggests using Lightroom's sharpening adjustments.

Three software options are explored in the video: Luminar Neo, On1 Noise A.I., and Topaz Sharpen AI.

Luminar Neo's super sharp feature did not significantly improve the image's focus.

On1 Noise A.I.'s Tack Sharp AI deblur slider and micro sharpening slider improved the eye detail but introduced noise.

Combining noise reduction and tack sharp in On1 Noise A.I. yielded better results, maintaining skin tone.

Topaz Sharpen AI produced impressive results, significantly improving the focus on the eyes.

The photographer used Topaz Sharpen AI in Photoshop to selectively sharpen the eyes with a layer mask.

The video demonstrates the practical application of AI in enhancing photography.

The photographer expresses skepticism about relying on software to fix focus issues but acknowledges the technology's potential.

The video serves as a review of different software for fixing out-of-focus portraits.

The photographer is glad that software like Topaz, Luminar Neo, and On1 exists for fixing such issues.

The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and share for more content.

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