Topaz Photo AI 3 Review: A Photographer’s Honest Take on the Latest Upgrade
If you’re a photographer looking to rescue noisy, blurry, or low-resolution images, Topaz Photo AI 3 might just be your new best friend. But is it worth the hype and the price tag? Let’s break down what’s new, what works, and what might leave you wanting more.
First Impressions: A Cleaner, More Intuitive Interface
The first thing you’ll notice in Topaz Photo AI 3 is its streamlined interface. Gone are the cluttered menus; instead, you’re greeted with a minimalist layout that prioritizes simplicity. The split-view slider (before/after preview) remains a standout feature, making it effortless to compare edits in real time. Whether you’re cropping, enhancing, or upscaling, everything feels just a click away.
For new users, the learning curve is practically nonexistent. The software auto-detects your image’s needs, suggesting tools like Denoise or Sharpen right off the bat. Seasoned editors will appreciate the flexibility to layer adjustments add noise reduction, tweak sharpness, and upscale resolution all in one workflow.
Denoise: Saving High-ISO Shots Like Magic
Let’s talk about the star of the show: Denoise. I tested it on a night photo shot at ISO 12,800, and the results were jaw-dropping. With three AI models (Normal, Strong, Extreme), Topaz intelligently removes grain while preserving detail. The “Strong” setting handled my test image beautifully, smoothing noise without turning subjects into plasticky blobs.
A few tips for smoother sailing:
Zoom in to gauge fine details.
Older computers might lag when adjusting sliders patience is key.
While the built-in masking tools are decent, hardcore editors might prefer refining masks in Photoshop for precision.
Sharpen: Rescuing Blurry Landscapes (and More)
The Sharpen tool shines for fixing soft focus or motion blur. I tested it on a landscape shot at 600mm where atmospheric haze left details muddy. Switching to the “Lens Blur” model and tweaking the sliders brought crispness back to distant trees.
One quirk: By default, Topaz targets the subject when sharpening. For landscapes, don’t forget to toggle “Select All” to apply adjustments globally. Pair this with a dash of Denoise, and even shaky telephoto shots can look gallery-ready.
Upscale & Face Recovery: Breathing Life into Old Photos
Upscaling low-res images is where Topaz Photo AI 3 truly feels like sorcery. I downsized a portrait to 1000 pixels, then let the software work its 4X upscale magic. The result? Faces regained realistic texture, especially in a child’s features, though some adults ended up with a slightly “AI-generated” look.
Pro tip: For restoring vintage photos or grainy family albums, combine Upscale with Face Recovery. It won’t replace a dedicated retoucher, but it’s shockingly effective for quick fixes.
The Hit-or-Miss Features
Not every tool here is a home run. Let’s be real:
Balance Color: While it corrected a overly blue image decently, most photographers will stick to Lightroom or Capture One for nuanced white balance.
Adjust Lighting: This felt redundant. A basic exposure slider? You’re better off editing elsewhere.
Generative Remove: Painfully slow, even on a maxed-out MacBook Pro. Stick to Photoshop’s Spot Healing Brush for object removal.
Is Topaz Photo AI 3 Worth It?
Landscape and portrait photographers will love the one-click fixes, while hobbyists restoring old photos will appreciate its AI finesse.
The Verdict: If you regularly wrestle with noisy or blurry shots, this upgrade is a worthy investment. Existing users should weigh the new features against renewal costs, but for newcomers, it’s a game-changer.
Final Thoughts
Topaz Photo AI 3 isn’t perfect, but its best features are that good. Whether you’re salvaging a once-in-a-lifetime shot or prepping images for large prints, this software belongs in your toolkit. Just don’t expect miracles from the filler tools stick to the essentials, and you’ll be amazed.
Topaz Photo AI 3.5 Update: Cloud Power, Smarter Tools, and Quicker Editing
Version 3.5 of Topaz Photo AI, the most recent update, is now available. It has a ton of features that will improve performance, simplify your workflow, and produce results that look professional. This update offers noticeable improvements that are worth checking out, whether you’re enhancing current images or recovering old ones. Let’s explore the latest developments and how these tools can improve your editing.
Modify Lighting Version 2: Accuracy and Equilibrium
Adjust Lighting v2, which elevates picture correction to a new level, is a noteworthy addition in this release. This edition, in contrast to its predecessor, adds an easy-to-use exposure slider that makes balancing highlights and shadows simpler. The controls now function so you don’t have to guess whether moving left or right will make it brighter or darker predictably, which makes changes seem more organic.
Adjust Lighting v2 revitalized a faded historical photo without over processing by elegantly balancing uneven tones. The application is perfect for restoring old or dimly light photos since it intelligently adjusts exposure while maintaining detail. Future versions are rumored to include highlight/shadow sliders, which would give consumers even more control.
Pro Tip: To restore old images, use Super Focus and Adjust Lighting (more on that below). The combination effectively addresses fuzzy subjects and lighting problems.
Super Focus Beta: Precision Meets Speed
The Super Focus Beta utility recently received a significant speed bump for Apple users. Tests conducted in the real world support Topaz’s claim that it now operates 40% faster on M1/M2 Macs. Using an M2 Ultra A 24MP image on a Mac took an average of 4–5 minutes to render, with a range of 1–10 minutes.
What’s fresh?
Cloud Rendering: Lacking a powerful GPU? Complete cloud-based Super Focus tasks (3 credits per render). The pay-per-use concept is a lifesaver for slower machines, even though it isn’t everyone’s favorite. Selective Editing: Softly focus backdrops while sharpening particular sections (such as faces) with the object selection brush. This keeps edits looking natural and prevents over processing.
Recovery from Crash: No More Lost Advancement
Everybody has experienced it: hours of tweaking are erased by an unexpected crash. Photo AI now automatically saves your session with Crash Recovery, allowing you to continue where you left off. It’s a minor but significant improvement in quality of life.
Workflow Demonstration: Repairing an Antique Photograph
Let’s observe how these tools work. Let’s start with an example of a group portrait that is blurry and poorly lit:
Use Adjust Lighting v2 to balance exposure. Without erasing the highlights, the exposure slider enhanced the shadows.
Super Focus Beta:
Faces were highlighted using the Subject Auto-Selection tool; however, areas that were missed required human touch-ups. Tested sharpening strengths: Medium produced fine details free of artifacts. Local rendering on an M2 Ultra Mac took 4 minutes and 33 seconds. As a result, the previously blurry faces were more distinct, and the picture as a whole seemed well-balanced and lively.
The Verdict Topaz Photo AI 3.5 is a significant advancement rather than merely a step up. It is essential for photographers of all skill levels because of its quicker Super Focus, more intelligent Adjust Lighting, and crash safety net. As cloud rendering Although some users may find credits annoying, the local processing enhancements particularly on Apple Silicon are revolutionary.
What Comes Next?
Topaz might compete with Lightroom’s manual editing if it include highlight/shadow sliders within Adjust Lighting. It is currently a powerful tool for both simple repairs and intricate restorations.
Give It a Try:
Are you prepared to try out these features? Get the affiliate link for Topaz Photo AI 3.5 [here]. We can continue to provide tutorials thanks to your support! Have you given the update a try? Leave a comment with your favorite feature! Note: There are affiliate links in this post. At no additional expense to you, we receive a tiny commission that supports our artistic endeavors. I appreciate your help! Conclusion Topaz Photo AI 3.5 appeals to both modern photo perfectionists and restorers with a nostalgic bent.
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