Topaz Labs Photo AI, Worth It?

[@tcibeatrecords4707]

Thank you for your honesty.

[@yangmumingsg]

thank you for taking time to share it over here!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stebobrown2893]

Thanks for a great tutorial Scott. I have been using each plugin individually and this makes it much easier. 90% of my work is now going through Photo AI. I'm sometime reluctant to change workflow patterns that work but you showed me this is a winner! Thanks again👍

[@robertstrickland1979]

an outstanding tutorial, i just bought the product and your tutorial has helped me

[@rogerking7258]

Well, I was rather annoyed, having bought Denoise, Sharpen and Gigapixel just a few weeks ago, only to find Photo AI released a few days later. BUT I then received an email from Topaz offering me a free download of Photo AI, so actually I feel like a valued customer. I don't think Photo AI is quite as good as using the separate apps because it has a little less flexibility, but for 95% of shots that need work it's just about perfect and so much quicker, which is very important to me as a pro. Edited - to add that I have now watched the entire video and you've covered this point. I can, however, vouch for the fact that this is what actually happens. Needless to say, I have no connection to Topaz.

[@KurtisPape]

I used Topaz Denoise and Sharpen for over a year and loved them, but after a while I started not liking the results because I recently started using higher and higher ISO's (3200+) so I tried DXO pureraw and liked the results purely because it handled high ISO images slightly better, but again i'm starting to not like the results because I got comfortable shooting high ISO more often, so I realised it's less a fault of the programs and more my fault for not trying to get a cleaner file in the field. The best results are no noise reduction at base ISO, but only landscapers can stay at base ISO, so for me my next favourite results are topaz denoise at a medium ISO with the layer opacity layer turned down slightly to 80-90%, the opacity change takes the level of control to the next level like you said! Anyway i'm back to using topaz more often now

[@WildlifeInspired]

super feedback. I try to stay below iso 1600 and 800 or less is ideal (topaz seems to do really well at 800 and lower) Totally agree about layer opacity as well. Its an easy layer of control with adding almost nothing to the workflow.

[@lorenilewis]

Topaz is really very good to it's customers. I already had SharpenAI and DenoiseAI - and they sent me an offer of $59 to buy PhotoAI. I downloaded the trial, then jumped on the offer. I now love PhotoAI as it I find it to work not only just as you described, but it processes the images so much faster than the original versions AND a lot of time is saved by not having to open and process them in two separate programs. I bet my time spent is less that 1/3 of what it was with the separate programs. And because I use burst mode for birds in flight, processing the high volume of photos now saves me hours of work.

[@tonyrowe1216]

great calm clear explanation and product sounds fantastic. Aiming to move from Denoise AI. Only concern is file sizes with Upscaling. I can't see anything online to give simple guide to impact on file size of upscaling but seems to me that is critical for many people. Can you help Scott?

[@kezonline]

Brilliant all round review, many thanks for this!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@doghouseriley4732]

It's good but I found DxO better for me when I trailed 4 of the noise reduction packages last year. It didn't soften the image as much as Topaz.

[@simonthibodeau7082]

DxO IS better, especially with some cameras that LR handles the raw files poorly. On the R7 the difference is pretty clear with high ISO images. However I don't think they are redundant. I run everything through DXO as it does give the best results, but at 8k ISO and above DXO leaves a bit of noise behind, which topaz Denoise can then clean up easily. This is the best way to do NR on the R7 by far and I've tried everything! Imo you should buy DXO first and use it for batch processing (it's so much better for that) and only get/use topaz when needed. I think both are worth it but only DXO is a must have for me personally. The rest of the topaz suite can be useful at times, sharpen to correct for user error and gigapixel for upscaling. However, I totally respect Scott being upfront about being affiliated. All the better to him if he can make some money to support his channel. Topaz is a good product and with some cameras they are more or less similar and the workflow is the biggest difference (I much prefer DXOs anyway so win win for me!). However for many, DXO is clearly and noticeably better, and that's up to people to do their own research and look at the alternatives. Getting both is the best anyway, so it doesn't hurt to buy topaz first. And a lot of people just don't know what they're missing anyway, looks like Topaz is good enough for them I guess.

[@jimmy_c_images8374]

Thanks for this video. I have owned Topaz and just downloaded this upgrade. Wow - so much easier and great product from Topaz IMO

[@ridealongwithrandy]

I have been using Topaz stuff for a long time. I really like this piece of software. I still go back to Sharpen AI, and Denoise AI sometimes, depending on the photo. Good stuff! Cheers!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks for sharing!

[@thepanel2935]

I'm a pro and will need fast software _editing_ programs, such as Photo Mechanic because in Editorial we shoot first, edit down later. I'm looking at Photo AI to complement my LightRoom Classic. It might be easier to buy Photo AI than purchase the three separate programs (De-Noise, GigaPixel and Sharpen).

[@TF-mc6yj]

Just download them for free online...

[@thepanel2935]

@@TF-mc6yj "free" where?

[@chadaztig07]

I have just tried this in one of my eagle photos and this is just mindblowing. This s a game changer for all wildlife photographers. This is a better purchase than a 600mm prime lense. 😅😂😂😂

[@baharam98]

I found this review very helpful. Thank you.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gilleslast3561]

I’m surprised with the noise level in the file shouted at 5400 ISO coming out of the combo Z9/400mm. I thought it’s a world class leader but not IMHO.

[@WildlifeInspired]

High mega pixel cameras like the D850 or Z9 do not generally perform as well in low light. The Z6ii or D5/6 are better at low light. That said the files coming out the Z9 are on par if not better than what I see from the Canon equivalents, I do not get my hands on as many Sony files (or Olympus) so I can not compare them first hand. I edit a lot of files for people that use Canon and feel very good about Nikon v. Canon for noise handling.

[@joaodasilva8008]

Topaz auto pilot vs Luminar and whats the best B and White colorizing app do you recommend because Photoshop Neural Filters for colorize its not perfect yet

[@WildlifeInspired]

I don't have much use for colorizing and if i need to convert a color image to BW i usually do it in photoshop.

[@rogerapplegatephotography5500]

Scott - nI have used this (Topaz Photo AI). As with all software, it has it's place and application.

[@stanpiper8158]

Nice review Scott. Thanks. I've also been running this as a plug-in with Affinity and Photoshop and like it a great deal with both. I have also noticed occasional artifacts if I got too aggressive with the slider. I think the software does so much of the work in advance that there seems to be less headroom for adjustment than with the separate Sharpen software. That has prompted me to take a more conservative approach. In PAI I have typically left "sharpening" turned off or way down without adjustment. On the plus side, it seems to do an excellent job of determining the best setting automatically for reducing the noise and providing a clarified image. With Denoise, I sometimes find a better result if I try other options (e.g., "low light" vs "Raw"). By and large PAI software leaves the image with little need for separate tweaking. Or, as you observed, 1 or 2 hashmarks of sharpening is all that has been useful. On balance, the all-in-one format has really simplified my processing (just in time for shooting 10-20 fps). I love Denoise and Sharpen, but have really gotten into the efficiency of PAI. My image processing has really sped up without (IMHO) sacrificing image quality.

[@WildlifeInspired]

nice input thanks!

[@robertllawrencejr5503]

Great video! Thank you

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@garymeek4080]

Need you to cover loading in PS. I like to open 100 files and use filters on them and saving them as is under same directory and same file name.

[@swebsurf]

Thanks for the review, Scott. The main thing I’ve notice is a bit of reddish fringing from Photo AI that doesn’t show up in the same image processed by Denoise AI. I also noticed the latest version is a bit more agressive for the sharpening both in detection and in actual sharpening. The new version has medium and high sharpening detection checked in the settings so turning those off helped. Still not sure how the detection in auto mode worked before to know which of those will get me the original sharpness detection. Will have to try different combinations. Have you experimented with the new version in that regard?

[@WildlifeInspired]

Still working with the latest version, another reason I like to use PS layers, because it allows me to mask any areas that I dont like. Youre correct and in general it is the fringes that are usually affected. I will do a comparison on my end between denoise and Photo AI on the same image.

[@swebsurf]

Thanks! One thing I did not mention is my usage has been via Lightroom only; still a bit intimidated by Photoshop. I just did a test on an image of a Northern Cardinal. Using just the defaults in each, I think Photo AI did a better job on the eye than Denoise which surprises me.

[@vixpix226]

I may be doing something wrong, but the $40 coupon code does not work for me. It says the code does not exist. Any suggestions?

[@WildlifeInspired]

ill check they may have removed it today

[@tonyblake8841]

I don’t get it. I have used Photo Ai and think it is great, but at the end of the day I want to send in a lightly processed image to see what I want from the Gigapixel element of the programme. To me it changes the workflow from Denoise Ai on full image at the beginning (often recommended) , a bit of Sharpen and then send to Lightroom or whatever. Then Gigapixel if you want to upsize after cropping. Often worthwhile with shooting small birds and more cropping than what you usually would do in other genres. How do people suggest getting the best out of Photo Ai Gigapixel element if done up front. So workflow potentially becomes say, Lightroom-Photo Ai-Lightroom-maybe Photoshop- back to Photo Ai. If starting with just Denoise Ai and sharpen within that programme, you save a step. So far I haven’t experienced or seen much sharpening out of Photo Ai. With birds in flight Sharpen can be harsh on beaks if on auto, particularly red beaks. Interested to hear any thoughts. Thanks for the video.

[@anandkhare53]

you are realley Great. nice coatching.

[@JimsPhotographyArt]

Hi, I've been using Photo AI for many of my bird and other higher ISO shots and it works great! I've also been scanning old photos and restoring them with Photo AI and can't believe how well it works on these old images!!! Question???? Does DeNoise, Sharpen, and Gigapixel need to have the most recent product updates in order for Photo AI to work correctly or at its best????

[@WildlifeInspired]

Photo AI is updated separately so it is independent of the others. If you own the others (even if the license isn't up to date) you will see a saving and possibly even free. Use my affiliate link then go to Yoh account and log in. Add photo AI and it will calculate any discounts. www.topazlabs.com/shop/ref/351

[@sarikshaikh-upadhye6279]

Thanks! I have loved using the IQ Bundle for a few years now and I probably edit 15-20 photos a year. I would have to reactivate my Photo Upgrade Plan in order to get Photo AI. Do you think it’s worth reactivating for Photo AI and the year of updates?

[@normdorosh]

is there a price discount when if i get photo ai from a link from you?

[@WildlifeInspired]

Topaz no longer discount codes for affiliates. If you purchase with my link, you are simply saying thank you to me. Buying from any other link won't give you a better discount. If Topaz runs a sale or code, I update my "linktree" link with that info.

[@johnd7564]

When I saw on your site I can get Topaz Video AI free with the Image Quality Bundle, I was ready to go! But I can't find that in writing on the site. I guess I'll wait and see what happens maybe at Black Friday.

[@WildlifeInspired]

I copied directly from their site. If you use my link, LOG IN TO YOUR ACCOUNT. add Photo AI to the cart and check the pricing before you pay. I have had people do this and they all confirmed (if the software was up to date) that Photo AI cost them nothing.

[@johnd7564]

@@WildlifeInspired I tried that and it gave me a price for each. So I emailed Topaz, and they said it comes with it so I just ordered the Image Quality Bundle. Then after I registered the IQB apps, I downloaded Photo AI. The first attempt to activate failed, but then another attempt succeeded. So I did end up with it, on October 20, 2022.

[@jurandfantom]

welp, no link to check my price. Thanks for explain that Photo dosn't provide choice about model - that super important

[@WildlifeInspired]

it was a long day lol i have it up now. on sale $40 off as of today and theres a 15 coupon code in the link

[@godsinbox]

@@WildlifeInspiredsadly it says your discount code does not exist. That is because the code is the generic GETPHOTOAI

[@1snafu11]

Any recommendations for software that automatically restores pictures? Not necessarily cracks or physical damage, areas that are heavily discolored compared to the rest of the portrait?

[@kenholtgrewe7526]

Works ok for me, but the app is still too young, in my opinion. The subject detection didn't work well, and the "refine" option is no help. I like that they want to merge and simplify their 3 products into one, but they shouldn't over simplify. I'd still like to be able to refine my selection with a working brush.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Agree, the refine tool is pretty bad. Not sure why they even through gigapixel in here. I think for 129.00 you make Photo AI, give it a couple more options and keep Giga as a stand alone.

[@blayral]

I tested topaz AI on some good shots I had, it was horrible, erasing feathers details, over accentuation some parts, etc, I hated it after 5 minutes, Tested many settings it was always the same problem..., will stick to Sharpen AI, DXo pure raw and good old lightroom :D

[@WildlifeInspired]

I have had no issues still, but I will say you have to be careful if you apply "sharpening" I have had no issues at all with the NR component of Photo AI. I have a new video coming out with a comparison. Still love Topaz overall. I have a free copy of DXo waiting for a test run, maybe ill do a comparison.

[@blayral]

@@WildlifeInspired well, sometime, subtle feather detail disapears with the topaz denoise algorithm while dxo's preserve it. I try to not apply much sharpen (that's why i have to turn of image detail on dxo), but sharpen AI helped sometime to make a missed picture look ok.

[@TheRidingDutchman99]

So far. no. Not much added value to what PS/LRC offer.

[@WildlifeInspired]

My friend used to say that too. Then he actually used Topaz Denoise for a while and said he would never go back. Speed accuracy and results all better in his opinion (a very talented wildlife photographer).

[@Taker1995HD]

Can you help me with a special request? I want to communicate on WhatsApp or Telegram, is it possible??