Conventional image noise reduction tools use simplistic methods that remove too little noise, destroy too much detail, are only effective for certain types of images, or require the user to do too much work. By comparison, Noise Ninja is based on a powerful and robust mathematical approach called "wavelet theory". Wavelet theory is a cutting-edge technology for transforming images from pixels to a rich spatial-spectral representation that improves the ability to automatically identify and suppress noise at different frequencies, locations, and color channels.

Most of the better commercial image noise reduction products available today rely on wavelet-style filtering (though most don't disclose this fact). However, depending on the particular tool and the image being filtered, they often have a tendency to introduce artifacts ranging from halos and speckles to edge blurring and color bleeding. This is usually most apparent around high-contrast edges in high-ISO images, and it is due to some inherent weaknesses of conventional wavelets.

By comparison, Noise Ninja uses a new, proprietary type of wavelet analysis that avoids these artifacts. Developed by a former professor of computer science, Noise Ninja's patent-pending algorithms yield an unprecedented combination of effectiveness and productivity for image noise removal.

High-quality results

Noise Ninja works remarkably better than alternatives. Users commonly report a two-stop improvement in effective image quality. In some cases, the results are nothing short of amazing. Noise Ninja generally avoids the "plastic" look and artifacts that other tools tend to produce, instead leaving a natural, photographic look to the image.

The high quality of filtering in Noise Ninja means that you can get more out of your camera. If you're a professional, you'll have more confidence that you can deliver a usable shot to your editor or client in difficult conditions, and you'll save shots that might have otherwise been destined for the digital trash bin.

For low-ISO shots, you'll be able to make bigger enlargements before noise becomes problematic. Many professionals routinely filter low-ISO images with Noise Ninja to prepare them for enlargement.

High productivity

While Noise Ninja allows fine control over filtering, it is particularly targeted at photographers who want to get in, get results, and get out quickly. Automatic profiling, automatic profile loading, and other conveniences accelerate the work cycle. The filter controls yield good results without endless tweaking. And execution is highly optimized for speed. The net result is high productivity so you can spend more time doing other things.

Easy to use

Despite it's sophistication, Noise Ninja is so easy to use that anyone can obtain professional-quality results. Filtering is as simple as moving a slider. A real-time preview window provides instant feedback when you make adjustments, so you can quickly obtain the results that you want. Once you are satisfied with your adjustments, you simply push a button and Noise Ninja filters the entire image.

High-fidelity processing

All images are represented internally using 16 bits per color channel (48 bits per pixel). All filtering is performed using 32-bit floating point arithmetic for each channel. This high-precision processing yields maximum image quality for raw camera images and high-bit-depth film scans, and it minimizes image degradation in a professional workflow.

Tailored to your camera or scanner

Noise varies by frequency, color, and brightness, and it is different for every type of camera and scanner. Noise Ninja uses a patent-pending profiling technology that accurately describe the noise for a particular image source. For instance, Noise Ninja "knows" that noise for a particular camera at ISO 1600 is high in dark reds and low in light yellows. And it "knows" that noise in the blue channel is higher than in other color channels for a certain scanner. By combining noise profiles with sophisticated filtering, Noise Ninja is able to achieve consistent, high-quality noise removal.

Noise profiles for dozens of cameras are available for download from the PictureCode website. Profiles for other cameras can be created in a few minutes using a simple chart and the push of a button.

Complete control with the Noise Brush

Noise Ninja includes an innovative tool called the Noise Brush. Using the mouse, you simply paint on parts of the image to undo or redo the effects of noise removal in the luminance channel, chroma channels, or all color channels. This provides excellent selective control over noise removal in localized areas of the image, and the ability to fine-tune detail without restoring color noise. So, unlike other image noise reduction solutions, Noise Ninja provides quick and easy recourse when you don't agree with its decisions.

Separate control over color & luminance channels

Noise Ninja filters noise in the color components of an image separately from the luminance (brightness) components. This is a powerful feature, because color noise often has a different character from that of luminance noise. It yields superior results compared to tools that only filter the color channels or that treat all channels identically.

Batch processing

Noise Ninja includes a powerful batch processing feature that can automatically filter multiple images while you do other things. (Requires a Professional license.) You can even use the Noise Brush to touch-up individual images from a batch after the batch has completed, so you don't have to sacrifice control to improve productivity.