Topaz Sharpen AI; An Example Of How It Saved An Image

Great Blue Herons (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark II; 300mm f/4 PRO lens + MC-14 1.4X tele-converter; (FOV 840mm); 1/500th sec. @ f/10; ISO 250

If you have read this blog recently, you have seen this image.  I posted it a few days ago as the next to the last usable image I made before my Olympus E-M1 Mark II failed.  

However, I hesitated posting this image as the depth of field was insufficient to render both herons in sharp focus.  The Great Blue Heron on the left, being substantially behind the one on the right, was slightly out of focus.  I was using a 35mm equivalent of 840mm field of view and had stopped down to f/10 but still the DOF was insufficient.  However, after processing this image in Topaz Labs Sharpen AI, the heron on the left sharpened up nicely at which time I felt the image was now usable.

If you are interested in the circumstances under which my camera failed, you can read that post here.

Directly below is a greater than 1:1 crop of the heron on the left (above) from the original file that has edited and sharpened in Lightroom but having no treatment in Sharpen AI.  As I said, not sharp at all.  The second image is the same file edited in the same manner but also using Sharpen AI.  I think you will agree that the plug-in saved this image and made it usable.  I love technology!

A more than 100% crop from the image at the top of the post edited and sharpened in Lightroom
as I normally would.  The bird is slightly out of focus due to lack of sufficient
depth of field. (click to enlarge)

Same file, same editing, but treating the file to Topaz Labs Sharpen AI.  The software
seems to have successfully sharpened up the bird to the point the image file is usable.
(click to enlarge)

When using Topaz Labs Sharpen AI plug-in, there are only a few controls.  The screenshot of the panel (below) shows that you can choose one of three types of processing according to what best solves the issues with any particular image.  Automatic works well for many images but I've been using manual settings and doing a lot of experimentation.  I've found that generally, if you over do it, strange little anomalies are created throughout your image in its attempt to sharpen various forms of detail.  When I find those, I go back and start all over.  I want to be able to improve the image to the best of the ability of the software but not over do it.  Still, sometimes I do (I think I just over sharpened the image file in this example).  I've certainly not mastered this app but I'm working on it as I find it very useful.

Topaz Labs Sharpen AI control panel showing the three
options for different types of problems. (click to enlarge)

If you have images where you just missed critical focus, experienced just as little camera shake, used a very small aperture where diffraction slightly softened your image or just want to optimally sharpen your images, you might want to give Sharpen AI a try.  You can download and use all of its features free for 30 days.  I have found it has worked for me and "saved" several of my images.  The development of these kinds of software are one reason I don't automatically delete a less than perfect image.  I always thought, with the advances in technology, that there might be some software developed in the future that could help "fix" those less than perfect images.  

I plan to continue to work with this plug-in until I feel very comfortable with using it on any image.  If you have interest in this or any other Topaz products, they oftentimes put their plug-ins on sale.  The plug-ins are not expensive at regular prices but it is always nice to save a little money.

Lastly, I'd like to, again, mention that I'm not sponsored by Topaz Labs or any other company.  I don't get anything for free or at a secret discount.  I buy all my gear and software at the same prices available to you.  Also, you'll notice I have no affiliate links or "click through" buying opportunities.  Its just me, my perennially thin wallet and my desire to experiment, learn and share everything I can with each of you.

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

All content on this blog is © 2013-2020 Dennis A. Mook. All Rights Reserved. Feel free to point to this blog from your website with full attribution. Permission may be granted for commercial use. Please contact Mr. Mook to discuss permission to reproduce the blog posts and/or images.