Author: Hillary Fox

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Here’s Proof that Topaz Sharpen AI can Sharpen Out-of-Focus Images

You can now do the impossible with Sharpen AI by Topaz Labs: Fix your missed-focus images using the power of machine learning.

Every photographer has been there: you capture the perfect moment, in beautiful light, but somehow you didn’t quite get the shot. Maybe the light was a bit dim or your subject moved a little too quick, but your final, favorite shot ended up blurry. A fast-moving subject, camera shake, low light, and incorrect camera settings can all reduce the sharpness of your photo, leaving you with soft details, motion blur, and an imperfect photo. We’re here to fix it.

Sharpen AI application interface

We built a futuristic solution for blurry images

Using the power of machine learning technology, our cutting-edge software doesn’t simply “sharpen” your photo — it can actually help you recreate authentic details in your photo. With sophisticated artificial intelligence tech, Sharpen AI analyzes your image and compares it alongside a library of millions of photos to help you achieve the most stunningly accurate results. It’s your image, re-imagined the way it was supposed to be — with sharp lines and crisp detail.

Before and After Sharpen AI Stabilization - 200% Zoom

Download Sharpen AI for free and see for yourself

The only way to believe in our technology is to see for yourself. That’s why we offer a totally free, full-version, 30-day trial of all of our applications.

Download your free trial of Sharpen AI along with the original TIFF photo used in this article.

Comment below with your results or tag us on Instagram with #TopazLabs. We’d love to see how Sharpen AI helped rescue your blurry photos!

Download Sharpen AI Trial
Download Blurry Test Image
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How To Get The Best Upscaling Results from Video Enhance AI

Trained on thousands of videos and combining information from multiple input video frames, Topaz Video Enhance AI enlarges your video up to 8K resolution with true details and motion consistency. Here’s how to get the best results for your footage.

Getting Started With Video Enhance AI

Download Video Enhance AI. Available for Mac or PC, you can launch a totally free 30-day trial to test Video Enhance AI with your own video projects.

Windows Download
Mac OS Download

How To Import Footage For Upscaling

Importing footage to be upscaled is as easy as drag and drop. You’ll find your clips at the bottom of the Video Enhance interface. Simply click on each video thumbnail to change individual processing and output settings. 

Sync Settings to Save Time
Are you planning to use identical settings for an entire batch of video clips? Easily apply synchronized settings to your whole batch:

  1. Import your first video and apply your settings.
  2. Click on Process > Setting as Default.
  3. Import the rest of your clips and identical settings will be applied.

Choosing Your AI Processing Mode

Video Enhance AI offers several different AI Models tailored to suit different types of footage.

Gaia-HQ
Standard upscaling for high-quality progressive footage.

Gaia-CG
Upscaling for progressive computer-generated content. Use this for digital animations, cartoons, etc.

Artemis-HQ
Enhancement and upscaling for high-quality progressive footage with better motion consistency. Use this to upscale higher-quality footage, like stock video clips, films, and drone footage.

Artemis-LQ
Enhancement and upscaling for low-quality progressive footage with better motion consistency. Use this for old family recordings, historical footage, etc.

Selecting Video Output Using Presets

Video Enhance AI offers a selection of video output presets, or you can choose your own custom settings. 

Preset video upscaling options include:

100% (DeNoise/DeBlock)
200%
400%
SD (640×480)
SD (768×576)
HD (1280×720)
HD (1920×1080)
4K UHD (3840×2160)
8K UHD (7680×4320)

Preview Your Video Enhance Output

Select a starting point on the timeline and click the Preview button to see a 30-frame sample of your rendered video output. Happy with your results? It’s time to process your video.

Choosing Your Output Format

The default mpeg4 output will be suitable for most projects, and will result in a ready-to-use video upon completion.

For the highest-quality output, along with a reduction in processing time for videos greater than 1,000 frames, select 16bit TIFF output.

Achieving Highest-Quality Output

For the highest-quality video productions, you need the highest-quality output. If you’re working on a larger project with more than 1,000 frames, or if you need the absolute best results, it’s recommended to select 16bit TIFF as your output format.

The final output will result in a folder of sequentially-numbered TIFF files ready to be assembled in the video editor of your choice.

Assembling TIFFs Into Video Footage

To complete your output, you can assemble your TIFF images within the video editor of your choice. 

In Quicktime, select File > Open Image Sequence and select your TIFF images. Your video will be created automatically and ready for further post-production.

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Featured Interview: Wildlife Photographer Harry Collins

We interviewed pro wildlife & nature photographer Harry Collins. His love for the outdoors shines through his photos.

Tell me about your background. How did you get into photography?

I have always been interested in wildlife and photography in general however it was a family trip to Alaska that really accelerated my photography interests. Everywhere I went was like a postcard and there was so much wildlife but all I had was a point and shoot camera and no idea how to use it. 

After returning home I bought my first DSLR. I would spend the next several years reading “how to” books and watching countless YouTube videos to learn. I had no idea what an obsession it would turn into. Being a winner in the National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest also accelerated my career as I become more well known in the photography community. 

Describe your photographic style and setup.

Being a wildlife photographer primarily it is often difficult to have a specific style as many times you have to work with what you are given. That said, I put a lot of effort into always being at eye level with animals or trying to get action photos such as osprey diving for fish or peregrine falcons in flight. 

I also like to do wide angle wildlife photography using remote sensors with camera traps to get a more intimate closeup view of animals not often seen. 

My primary gear at the moment is a Nikon D5 and 600mm f4 VR lens along with a Nikon D810 and 80-400mm lens.

What is your favorite subject to shoot?

Birds of prey are easily my favorite subject to photograph. There is something so majestic about seeing owls flying or bald eagles fishing, etc.

How does Topaz Labs software help your editing process?

Topaz software has completely changed my editing process. DeNoise specifically is a miracle software. It has allowed me to keep shooting much longer than I ever have been able to by letting me crank my ISO and still get useable images. Even when it’s not needed I still run my photos through DeNoise or Sharpen AI as they make photos that are already sharp that much better!

How do you find your inspiration?

My inspiration is simple these days. Since becoming a full time wildlife photographer it’s become so much more apparent how fragile this planet is and how much help it needs. My inspiration and goal is to both raise awareness as well as helping people relate to wildlife. I have seen distinct personalities in many animals and I believe they should be treated equally. They feel fear, pain, and build bonds with each other that should not be broken by humans. I’m afraid people will not realize how important animals are to the environment and our own existence until they are gone. 

If you could only shoot with one lens, what would it be?

Very tough question. I think if I could only have one it would be my 600mm lens. I love many types of photography such as landscape and astrophotography but my passion is wildlife and the 600mm is the perfect lens. 

What is your biggest challenge in photography?

The biggest challenge for me and many others these days is being different. There are so many photographers now but locations with wildlife are becoming less and less. Now with social media and other internet sites, once an animal or location is found, word travels quickly and it’s rare that I am ever alone with an animal anymore sadly. 

Follow Harry Collins on Instagram at @harrycollinsphotography or visit his website at harrycollinsphoto.com.