Some Denoise DNG files showing and exporting wrong highlight and brightness values

Report · Jan 11, 2024

Since using Denoise, I've noticed that some of the DNG files don't display the correct brightness and highlight tones in the Library view, compared to the Develop view.

The main issue is that these files also look incorrect as exported JPEG file, even though the file still looks correct in the develop module.

Generating or deleting different kind of previews, using diffent catalog settings or changing display (CPU) settings won't solve this as I have extensively tried this myself. The problem really seems to be inside of the generated DNG file.

It appears to occur only with RAW files where flash has been used (but not on every file). The problem is reproducible on other computers using the same RAW files.

I'm also using the latest versions of Lightroom and DNG Converter.

I feel like I have tried all possible options to no avail. Can anyone help with this issue?

Report · Jan 11, 2024

1. Your two screenshots

First one appears to be the original photo before applying AI Denoise. And is in the Develop Module.
Second one post AI Denoise in the Library Module
Are my assumptions/observations correct?

2. About this statement:

I'm also using the latest versions of Lightroom and DNG Converter.

Are you using the Adobe DNG converter, a separate app to convert your RAW photos, as opposed to simply letting LrC convert the RAW? I could be reading that incorrectly. This makes me wonder:

What Camera
What LrC? v13.1?

3. About workflow if yo plan on using AI Denoise.

I am fairly sure Adobe recommends (or used to recommend) not applying most develop mods prior to AI Denoise. Oh, the develop mods may or may not get followed thru when you do that. But results may vary. This is something you would need to experiment with.

4. About comparing images in LrC.

You posted (apparently) a pre AI Denoise screenshot from Develop. And a post AI Denosie screenshot from Library. A bad comparison, Both should be in Develop. Library and Develop use different color space, appearances differ slightly.

Report · Jan 15, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to reply. It took some testing answer your questions:

1.

Both screenshots where with the same DNG file. Just different modules. I’ve tried to make more clear screens in this reply.

2.
I let LrC do all of the DNG conversions but I thought this might use the DNG converter behind the scenes as well. Just to be clear. I’m not using the DNG converter app myself.

Using:
Canon R5

LrC 13.1

3.

I’ve did some more testing while changing the workflow as suggested and when to generate a smart-preview. This brought me a bit closer to pinpointing the problem.

Step 1: Enhance - Denoise: this creates a file which looks a lot darker (see first screenshot). This also shows up darker in de develop module (see second screenshot).
Step 2: Generate smart preview for editing on the DNG file. When generating a smart-preview for this DNG file, the DNG file does show up correctly in Develop module (see third screenshot).

Step 3: Export. However when exporting the DNG file it still exports as the original darkened file. Also when deleting the smart-preview the original preview shows up dark again.

I’ve done no editing or presets in these steps. There seems to be something “broken” in the DNG file that doesn’t show or exports the proper values, however when generating a smart-preview from the same file, these values do properly show.