Power Workflow 2 is our biggest seller here at Seim effects and for good reason. All our products are very effective and many users have the complete collection of products, but PW2 is at the core of the super fast yet creative editing workflow that we’re all about. Thank you all for spreading the word and making the Seim Effects such a popular product line.
Version 2.5 has made PW2 that much better with some great new presets and refinements to current ones. This new version something you’ll want in your kit.
It’s a FREE update for current Power Workflow2 owners. If you didn’t get the automatic upgrade email contact me and I’ll get you taken care of. If you’re still using the old V1 of Power Workflow you”re missing out. V1 users are still eligible for an upgrade discount so contact me if you need a code…. Gavin
NOTE: This article is a few years old. Most of the products mentioned here have newer refined versions. They arr all viable options. Look over our review. But also check out the latest offerings from each company and see what they offer.
by Gavin Seim. Updated 04/2010: Even with cameras getting amazing at high ISO, low noise images, there’s still room in our kits for good noise reduction software. It allows us to push the limits and keep our images clean and vivid. Nearly every serious photographer should have a good noise reduction tool in his arsenal. That said I don’t think we need to use NR all the time like we did in the past. A little noise is not always bad, especially the more appealing grain like noise coming from today’s cameras. I keep various NR tools on hand however so if I want to reduce, their ready to go.
Today the showdown has come. I see lots of talk about what’s the best noise reduction software, but mostly it’s all talk. Rather than just talk, I’ve made comparisons. Lots of comparisons. I’ll give you examples with various products, images, cameras and ISO settings, including some HDR. At the end I’ll give my final opinions of each product and let you decide for yourself. Let’s get started.
All tests were made using the Photoshop plugin versions of the products but some are available as standalone apps. Settings varied, but I used mostly default settings and automatic profiles, with occasional tweaks to get the results I felt looked best. This means these images represent the results you would get with a single pass and minimal hassle.
Often I found that one product maybe great on one image, while another product may work better on the next. Tweaking the settings would perhaps improve results a little depending on the image, however I wanted a real feel of the results we’ll get everyday. You can click any image for a large view, but some results are similar so you may want to download the large image bundle linked below.
It was late Sunday night on the way home from bible study at my brothers house near Coulee City. I was looking west towards Waterville and there were so many stars. They live in the country, so the only artificial lights are on the horizon.
This was taken with my new Canon 5D MK II. This won’t mean much to non photo geeks, but I shot it at ISO 6400, Sigma 15mm Fisheye lens @ f2.8 exposed for 13 seconds and cleaned with neat image: The heavens delare the glory of God… Gav
Planning an HDR workshop in Washington. Also thinking about going to Ireland next winter. Email Gavin you have thoughts on Ireland, or are interested in attending the workshop.
Power Worklfow Lightroom Presets are extremely popular. Since launch I’ve released various updated and enhancements, but the best is yet to come. Power Workflow2 is almost here.
More details are coming really soon, but these have been in the works for months. I can say that PW2 is going to be a huge upgrade, chock full of new goodies to keep us working creative and fast.I’m still working on the official graphic, but here’s a pre-comp. Stay tune for the official announcement… Gav
