I finally had a chance to perform a test with Genuine Fractals that’s been on my mind for some time.\u00a0 This test was performed on an image from a Canon 10D with a 6 M pixel sensor.\u00a0 The image was blown up to 24″ long at 180 ppi.<\/p>\n
Now, there’s no way you can get a super sharp image of that size with a 6 M pixel sensor.\u00a0 So that wasn’t the point of the test.\u00a0 When I previously blew this image up there were a lot of artifacts that were enhanced, especially when I performed the output sharpening.\u00a0 I spent about an hour with clone stamp and healing brush removing these artifacts one by one.<\/p>\n
So the point of the test was to see how well the smooth areas were enlarged; that is, if GF could enlarge them without creating these artifacts.<\/p>\n
It’s important to say that I know a lot more about enlarging images now than I did then.\u00a0 I have a much better idea of when to sharpen, when to reduce noise and the like.\u00a0 So if one were to notice that this is not an apples to apples comparison I’d have to agree.\u00a0 So, before giving the results,\u00a0here’s the process I followed.<\/p>\n
Starting with the master file with all the adjustment layers, I first flattened the image.\u00a0 Next I ran Noiseware Professional to reduce the rather considerable noise.\u00a0 Third, I ran Genuine Fractals to enlarge the image about 250% (24″ long at 180 ppi).\u00a0 Finally, I ran the Photokit output sharpener for matte paper at 180 ppi.<\/p>\n
And how did it turn out?\u00a0 Great.\u00a0 The sharpness was OK considering the size of the sensor.\u00a0 But what was really great was the lack of artifacts.\u00a0 No more spending hours brushing them out.<\/p>\n
So to my way of thinking Genuine Fractals is worth it not only for the way it holds the sharpness when it enlarges but the way it handles the smooth areas.<\/p>\n
Genuine Fractals Impressions #2<\/a><\/p>\n Genuine Fractals Impressions #1<\/a><\/p>\n (535)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"