66 Better Available Light Digital Photography
Picture code
Noise Ninja (www.picturecode.com) runs on both Windows and
Mac OS X, and is available as a stand-alone application or plug-
in. The $69.95 Pro Standalone version works with 16-bit TIFF
fi les (48 bits per pixel) and supports batch processing and mul-
tiprocessor computers. The 8-bit Home Standalone version costs
$34.95. (The plug-in version costs ten bucks more.) Noise Ninja
uses a proprietary type of wavelet analysis that avoids introduc-
ing artifacts that can cause blurred edges. It includes a set of
tools for automatic and manual noise analysis, and a “Noise
Brush” that lets you undo or redo the effects of noise removal
in the luminance, chrominance, or all color channels. Picture-
Code recommends that photographers use Noise Ninja even if
an image was shot at a low ISO setting, because they claim
you’ll be able to make larger enlargements before noise becomes
a problem.PictureCode’s Noise Ninja uses a
proprietary type of wavelet analy-
sis that avoids introducing arti-
facts, such as ringing or blurring
edges, to the fi nal image fi le. To
refi ne its noise-reduction capabili-
ties, the software also uses camera
profi les that are offered free on
its Web site. They also offer a
profi ling chart that lets you build
your own profi les. © 2005 Joe
Farace.