Photoshop Elements > Noise Reduction >

2 - Noise Reduction

With Photoshop Elements

Be sure to check off as you go along.

Preparation

1) Make a composite layer.

A composite layer contains all of the layers of your photograph.

If you haven't already done so, go to Composite Layer.

Do the following.

a) Deselect the eye icons on the layers you don't want to merge.

b) Click the top layer (highlighted).

c) Select > All.

d) Edit > Copy Merged.

e) Edit > Paste.

2) Go to Filter > Noise > Reduce Noise.

The Reduce Noise window will appear.

3) The image in the Reduce Noise window should have:

• An area with noise.

• Areas with detail and with little detail.

Reposition the image in the Reduce Noise window.

To do so, click, hold, and drag the image in the Reduce Noise window.

4) The settings in the Reduce Noise window are presented in the following order.

1) Strength

2) Preserve Detail

3) Reduce Color Noise

4) Remove JPEG Artifact

However, they should be set in the order below.

1 - Reduce Color Noise

Set the Strength value to zero.

If your photograph has color noise, anomalous specks of color, move the Reduce Color Noise slider until the color noise is muted.

2 - Strength & Preserve Detail

If you're photograph has luminance noise, anomalous specks of white, gray, and black, move the Strength slider until it's muted.

However, keep an eye on the detail in your photograph.

Preserve Detail gives Strength limitations within which to operate.

If the detail becomes softened, increase the Preserve Details value.

3 - Remove JPEG Artifact

Select Remove JPEG Artifact if you're using the JPEG file format.

Compare

Click and hold on the image in the Reduce Noise window to see the photograph with no sharpening.

Release the mouse button to see the photograph with noise reduction.

Other Filters

You can use other filters for noise reduction, especially for luminance noise.

Try the Dust & Scratches, Despeckle, and Median filters.

Go to Filter > Noise to find these filters.

Noise Reduction on Separate Layers

Separate Luminosity & Color Layers

You can separate the luminosity (grayscale) and color image information.

Then, you can reduce noise on the layer where it's most pronounced, either the luminosity layer or color layer.

You can use the Reduce Noise filter.

If you're reducing noise on the luminosity layer, use Strength and Preserve Details.

If you're reducing noise on the color layer, use Reduce Color Noise.

For color noise, you can also use the Gaussian Blur filter to slightly blur the color layer.

Go to Separate Luminosity & Color Layers.

Separate RGB Channel Layers

You can separate each color channel.

Then, you can reduce noise on the layer where it's most pronounced, which is usually the blue channel layer.

You can use the Reduce Noise filter's Reduce Color Noise slider.

Or, you can use the Gaussian Blur filter to slightly blur the blue channel layer.

Go to Separate RGB Channel Layers (Channel Mixer).

Saving the Photograph

If you haven't already done so, go to Saving Files.

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