Editing Tutorials

When using Lightroom Classic (LrC) with Topaz Photo, the recommended workflow depends on whether you're starting with an original RAW photo or a non-RAW file.

Photo shot RAW Photo shot JPEG & Non-RAW files

For photos shot in RAW format, use the dedicated Topaz Photo RAW plugin in LRC:

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This sends the original RAW file to Topaz Photo, giving it access to the RAW sensor data for the best possible results. The processed file returns to LrC as a DNG, preserving the RAW workflow.

This is not the Photo → Edit In workflow. The dedicated RAW plugin is accessed from the File menu. Using the RAW plugin gives Topaz Photo access to the original RAW sensor data, allowing it to take full advantage of the information captured in the RAW file and produce the best possible results. This is the same principle behind shooting RAW in the first place: preserving as much original image data as possible for processing. Using Edit In instead sends a rendered file, so that original RAW data is no longer available to Topaz Photo.

When using Photoshop (PS) with Topaz Photo, the recommended workflow depends on whether you're starting with an original RAW photo or a non-RAW file.

Photo shot RAW Photo shot JPEG & Non-RAW files

For photos shot in RAW, open the original RAW file directly in Topaz Photo as a standalone.

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This gives Topaz Photo access to the original RAW sensor data, including RAW Denoise. Export the processed file as DNG, then open the DNG in Photoshop for Camera Raw and any final Photoshop edits.

Do not use the Photoshop plugin for the original RAW file. Photoshop must first render the RAW before it can be sent through the plugin, which prevents Topaz Photo from accessing the original RAW sensor data.

When using LrC, Photoshop and Topaz Photo together, send the image to Topaz Photo from LrC first. Once it returns to LrC, continue to Photoshop if needed.

Photo show RAW Photo shot JPEG or Other Non-RAW Files

Use the LrC RAW plugin first to give Topaz Photo access to the original RAW data. Once the processed DNG returns to LrC, continue your LrC edits and send it to Photoshop.

The Apple Photos plugin processes one image at a time and always returns the processed image as JPEG.

Photo show RAW Photo shot JPEG or Other Non-RAW Files

The Apple Photos plugin can send the original RAW data to Topaz Photo, giving you access to RAW Denoise. However, the processed image returns to Apple Photos as JPEG.

If you edit multiple files or are looking to keep the file as DNG, see the other section (Recommended RAW workflow below)

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Recommended RAW Workflow

To keep the processed file in RAW format, open the original RAW directly in Topaz Photo standalone, export as DNG, then import the DNG into Apple Photos.

Topaz Photo can also be used with other editing applications, however, depending on the application and source file, the workflow will differ.

• Capture One has a supported Topaz Photo plugin.
• For other applications without a supported plugin, use Topaz Photo standalone and then use the exported file into the other program.

Capture One

Topaz Photo has a supported Capture One (C1) plugin workflow. The same general workflow can be used with RAW and non-RAW files.

See the Capture One Plugin Guide

Other Editing Applications

If your editing application doesn't have a supported Topaz Photo plugin, the only supported workflow is to use the standalone:

• Open Topaz Photo as standalone (desktop shortcut)
• Import files in Topaz Photo
• Export the files
• Then import the files into your other editing application.

Wildlife images can have very different needs depending on noise, focus, subject size and how heavily the image will be cropped. Only use the enhancements needed for the specific image.

Use Case #1 : High-ISO RAW with a Slightly Soft Subject

1. RAW Denoise: Correct RAW noise first.
2. Denoise: Only if additional low-light noise remains.
3. Sharpen: If the subject is slightly soft.
4. Crop: Determine your final composition.
5. Upscale: If the final crop needs more resolution.
6. Continue your editing workflow.

[Original RAW vs Results using Topaz Photo (RAW Denoise + Sharpen), Bloom Realism (feather details), and Adobe LrC for color and light edits)]

Use Case #2: Small/Distant Subject, needs a Heavy Crop

Wildlife subjects often occupy only a small part of the original frame. A heavy crop can leave the final image with much less resolution.

1. Correct noise: If needed.
2. Sharpen or Super Focus: Choose based on the focus problem.
3. Crop: Set your final composition.
4. Upscale: If additional resolution or detail is needed.

[Original Frame vs Heavy Crop vs Processed result]

[ADD SIDE-BY-SIDE VISUAL HERE]

An Upscale model such as Wonder can be useful when additional detail needs to be reconstructed from a small or heavily cropped subject.

Important Mentions

• RAW Denoise: For supported RAW files from Bayer sensor cameras, including many Nikon, Canon and Sony cameras. X-Trans sensors, found in many Fujifilm cameras, do not have the same RAW noise. If noise is present, use Denoise instead. Denoise Max can be useful for more difficult noise.
• Noise before Sharpen: Correct noise first to avoid sharpening the existing noise.
• Sharpen vs Super Focus: For a slightly soft subject, start with Sharpen. If focus was actually missed and Sharpen cannot adequately recover it, remove Sharpen and try Super Focus instead.
• Use Selections: Is it important to only apply Sharpen or Super Focus only to the subject rather than areas that are already sharp? This will avoid any artifacts on areas that cannot be recovered, such as a blurry background.

Portraits can require different enhancements depending on noise, focus, facial detail and the quality of the original image. Only use the enhancements needed for the specific image.

Use Case #1: Noisy RAW Portrait Requiring Light Retouching

1. RAW Denoise: Correct RAW noise first.
2. Denoise: Only if additional low-light noise remains.
3. Sharpen: If the subject is slightly soft.
4. Spot Healing: Correct individual distractions or imperfections where needed.
5. Recover Faces: Only if facial information needs recovery.
6. Continue your editing workflow.

[Original RAW vs RAW Denoise + Sharpen vs Processed Result]

[ADD SIDE-BY-SIDE VISUAL HERE]

Use Case #2: Small or Low-Resolution Face

When a face occupies only a small part of the image or the source file has limited resolution, normal Sharpen may not have enough original detail to work with.

1. Correct noise: If needed.
2. Sharpen: If usable detail is present but slightly soft.
3. Recover Faces: If facial information needs recovery.
4. Upscale: If additional resolution or reconstructed detail is needed.

[Original Face vs Processed Face vs Upscaled Result]

[ADD SIDE-BY-SIDE VISUAL HERE]

Important Mentions

• Don't overprocess a good portrait: A clean, high-resolution portrait may need very little processing. Only add enhancements that correct an actual problem. The Sharpen Portrait model can be useful for those cases to add some details.
• Recover Faces: Use when facial information needs recovery, not automatically on every portrait or face.
• Use Selections: Target enhancements only where they're needed rather than processing the entire image.

Landscape images often contain fine detail across a large part of the frame, so avoid processing areas that are already clean and sharp.

Use Case #1: RAW Landscape Requiring Noise and Detail Correction

1. RAW Denoise: Correct RAW noise first.
2. Denoise: Only if additional low-light noise remains.
3. Sharpen: If the image needs additional sharpness.
4. Crop: Set your final composition.
5. Upscale: If additional resolution is needed for the final output.
6. Continue your editing workflow.

[Original RAW vs RAW Denoise + Sharpen vs Processed Result]

[ADD SIDE-BY-SIDE VISUAL HERE]

Use Case #2: Landscape Requiring a Large Print

1. Correct noise: If needed.
2. Sharpen: If needed.
3. Crop: Set the final composition.
4. Upscale: Set the resolution needed for the final output.
5. Continue your editing workflow.

[ADD SIDE-BY-SIDE VISUAL HERE]
[Original Resolution vs Final Crop vs Upscaled Result]

Important Mentions

• Don't sharpen everything automatically: Landscapes can contain areas that should remain naturally soft, such as distant atmosphere, water or out-of-focus areas. Use Sharpen only if needed, at low strength and opacity.
• Use Selections: Target Sharpen where additional detail is actually needed. To avoid an over-processed look, you can test Sharpen on All, at low strength and opacity vs using Selections, and see what works best for your file.
• Lighting and color: If another editing application handles your lighting and color work, there is no need to duplicate those adjustments in Topaz Photo.

Low-light images can contain significant noise, making it especially important to correct noise before adding Sharpen or other detail enhancements.

Use Case #1: High-ISO RAW Low-Light Photo

1. RAW Denoise: Correct RAW noise first.
2. Evaluate the result: Check whether additional noise remains.
3. Denoise: Only if additional low-light noise still needs correction.
4. Sharpen: If needed after correcting the noise.
5. Continue your editing workflow.

[ADD SIDE-BY-SIDE VISUAL HERE]
[Original RAW vs RAW Denoise vs Processed Result]

Use Case #2: Noisy Non-RAW or X-Trans Image

1. Denoise: Correct the noise present in the image.
2. Evaluate the result: Determine whether additional correction is needed.
3. Sharpen: If the cleaned image is also soft.
4. Continue your editing workflow.

[Original Image vs Denoise vs Denoise + Sharpen]

[ADD SIDE-BY-SIDE VISUAL HERE]

Important Mentions

• Start from RAW when available: If the photo was shot RAW, use a workflow that gives Topaz Photo access to the original RAW data.
• Don't automatically stack Denoise models: Apply RAW Denoise first, evaluate the result, then add Denoise only if another noise problem remains.
• Noise before Sharpen: Correct noise first so that Sharpen doesn't enhance the existing noise.

Old and scanned photos can contain a combination of dust, scratches, damage, noise, softness and limited resolution. Correct the problems present rather than applying every restoration enhancement automatically.

Use Case #1: Old or Scanned Photo with Widespread Damage

1. Dust & Scratch: Correct widespread dust and scratch damage.
2. Spot Healing: Clean up individual areas that remain.
3. Denoise: If actual noise is present.
4. Sharpen: If the image is soft.
5. Recover Faces: If facial information needs recovery.
6. Upscale: If additional resolution is needed.

[Original Scan vs Damage Removed vs Processed Result]

[ADD SIDE-BY-SIDE VISUAL HERE]

Use Case #2: Small Old Photo Requiring More Resolution

1. Correct damage: If needed.
2. Denoise or Sharpen: Only if the image needs it.
3. Recover Faces: If facial information needs recovery.
4. Upscale: Increase resolution and reconstruct detail where needed.

[Original Resolution vs Restored Image vs Upscaled Result]

[ADD SIDE-BY-SIDE VISUAL HERE]

An Upscale model such as Wonder may be useful when the original contains very limited detail and additional reconstruction is needed.

Important Mentions

• Dust & Scratch vs Spot Healing: Use Dust & Scratch for widespread damage and Spot Healing for individual areas that still need correction.
• Grain isn't digital noise: Denoise may reduce grain, but can also introduce unwanted details or artifacts. Don't automatically use Denoise simply because an old photo has visible grain.
• Recover Faces: Use only when facial information is actually needed.
• Don't remove character unnecessarily: Texture and grain can be part of the original photograph. Restoration does not always mean removing everything. We also have a Grain enhancement if you want, at the end of your workflow to add a slight grain back on the file for more natural results.

AI-generated images are often small or limited in resolution, even when they already contain good detail. In many cases, Upscale is more useful than automatically adding Denoise or Sharpen.

Use Case #1: Low-Resolution AI-Generated Image

1. Evaluate the source: Check whether the main problem is simply low resolution.
2. Upscale with Wonder: Use a generative Upscale model when additional detail needs to be reconstructed, such as Wonder.
3. Review the result: Check reconstructed details before increasing the image further.
4. Export: If the required final resolution has been reached.

[Original AI Image vs Wonder Result]

[ADD SIDE-BY-SIDE VISUAL HERE]

Use Case #2: AI Image Requiring a Very Large Upscale

For very large outputs, you don't necessarily need to perform the entire upscale with a generative model.

1. Wonder at 1x: Reconstruct and improve detail without performing a large generative upscale.
2. Export the processed image.
3. Reopen the result in Topaz Photo.
4. Upscale to needed size: Use a non-generative Upscale model to reach the larger final dimensions, such as Standard.

[Original Image vs Wonder 1x vs Final Standard Upscale]

[ADD SIDE-BY-SIDE VISUAL HERE]

This can be more efficient because non-generative models process faster and can handle the larger size increase after Wonder has reconstructed the detail.

Important Mentions

• Low resolution isn't noise: Don't automatically add Denoise because an AI-generated image lacks detail.
• Don't overprocess: If the image is already clean and sharp, Upscale may be the only enhancement needed.
• Generative models reconstruct detail: Review the result carefully when accuracy to the original content is important.

For other images, identify the main problem you're trying to correct or the final result you need.

🌌 Astrophotography

Correct noise first. Denoise Max can work especially well for difficult astrophotography noise. Add Sharpen afterward only if needed.

🖨️ Large Prints

Determine the final dimensions and resolution needed first, then Upscale accordingly. A good-quality source may only need a non-generative Upscale model.

🔍 Low-Resolution, Small or Compressed Images

Low resolution and compression are not digital noise. Use Upscale for more resolution, or Wonder when missing detail needs to be reconstructed.

🔬 Macro Photography

Use Selections to target Sharpen or other enhancements only where needed. Avoid processing areas that are naturally soft or out of focus.

🎯 Soft or Missed Focus

Use Sharpen for slight softness. If focus was actually missed, remove Sharpen and try Super Focus instead.

🏃 Sports & Action

Correct noise first, then use Sharpen for softness or Super Focus for missed focus. Heavily cropped subjects may also benefit from Upscale.

🤿 Underwater Photography

Correct noise first, then use Sharpen if needed. Adjust Lighting and Balance Color can help with underwater lighting and color.