Versione in Italiano QUI
Introduction
It’s no secret that I’ve fallen in love with DxO PhotoLab, the image editor created by DxO Labs, which in my opinion has been able to best interpret the needs of us landscape photographers in terms of post-production. With the release of DxO PhotoLab 4, DxO Labs takes a further step forward in the functionality of an already complete solution by implementing some features to further improve the end-user experience. Let’s see together what awaits us in this new version.
DxO DeepPRIME
One of the most important features of this version is the introduction of the brand new DxO DeepPRIME algorithm dedicated to noise reduction. DxO Labs promises results previously unattainable thanks to this proprietary technology, refined over the years. DxO DeepPRIME applies to our image concepts at the base of neural networks to solve noise even in the most difficult images thanks to massive use of the information contained in the RAW. For those who dabble in long extreme exposures with slightly dated camera sensors or with Mirrorless particularly sensitive to overheating, DxO DeepPRIME will prove to be an irreplaceable ally.
An example of the potential is given by the images below. This is a 1:1 crop (detail on the left) of an image taken some time ago in Iceland where due to the technical limitations of the camera I was using at the time (a Canon 5D MkIII), opening the underexposed shadows after a long exposure I found a disastrous situation (detail in the middle). Applying DxO DeepPRIME, literally in a click the image destined to the trash bin is recovered (detail on the right). This is an extreme example taken deliberately on an image that is doomed anyway, but think of this technology applied to a normal (more real) situation!
DxO Smart Workspace
One of the strengths of DxO Photolab has always been the maximum flexibility of the user interface to best suit the photographer’s needs. With DxO PhotoLab 4, DxO Labs introduces a new dynamic system for displaying palettes through different filtering criteria. Through the selection of these filters, it will be possible to display or hide the various panels for three different modes: family, active settings, favorites.
In this way our post-production flow will be further optimized because we will only have in front of us what we want and need at that moment.
Batch renaming
Another function introduced by DxO PhotoLab 4 is the ability to rename a group of images in a single step.
If you select several images at the same time from the Dxo PhotoLibrary, you can use a special panel to change the file name by selectively searching for and replacing text, for example, or by adding text before or after the existing one.
This function is particularly useful when, for example, you are preparing a set of images for a client or simply want to optimize the image names for uploading to our website.
DxO Advanced History
During post-production it is sometimes difficult to notice immediately if you are making some not-so-great choices, and after a few days if we look back at our image with fresh eyes we may not be satisfied with some details. Thanks to DxO Advanced History it won’t be a problem anymore as we’ll have all the information about the adjustments applied, and we’ll be able to retrace our steps.
This undoubtedly optimizes the workflow and fits perfectly into the non-destructive editing philosophy I always try to pursue.
Adjustments on multiple photos
When I shoot my landscape images you know very well that I rarely change the composition once I have found it. In the end I find myself having dozens of shots of the same scene taken at different times. When I start the post-production on what I think is the best image of the session I may have second thoughts, and so I have to start all over again the edit on the new shot I consider as the new best.
Thanks to the new batch editing function of DxO PhotoLab 4, I can bring from one image to another the corrections made until that moment, saving time and streamlining my post-production flow.
DxO Instant Watermarking
For watermark lovers, DxO Labs introduces the DxO Instant Watermarking function which allows you to place a watermark (i.e. your digital signature) on your final image.
The tool is particularly flexible and allows you to place the watermark exactly where you want it, by importing an image or writing text directly.
Unlike other post-production software that only shows the result after the final export, with DxO Instant Watermarking you can see the watermark in overlay immediately, thus defining position and details with absolute simplicity.
Other features
DxO PhotoLab 4 also implements a wide range of optimizations, bug fixes and support for new cameras, including Canon EOS R5, EOS R6, and EOS 850D; Nikon D6 and Z5; Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV.
Conclusions
DxO PhotoLab 4 represents the evolution of an already solid and mature product that has reached the implementation phase of specific features to further optimize the work of photographers.
DxO PhotoLab 4 is available for download from now on at THIS link and it offers, as always, a free trial for 30 days: a unique opportunity to thoroughly test the potential of a post-production software that will hardly let you go back.