When is it advisable to apply noise reduction, especially on skin?

• A. Apply judiciously, as aggressive NR can blur fine skin texture.
• B. Always apply maximum NR on all images.
• C. NR should be avoided in all cases.
• D. NR only affects color noise on skies.

Answer: (A)

Noise reduction should be used with care because the goal is to remove grain without erasing detail. On skin, fine texture—such as pores and subtle tonal variation—helps keep portraits looking natural. If you push NR too hard, those details soften or disappear, giving the skin a smooth, waxy or plastic appearance. So the best approach is to apply it judiciously, reducing obvious noise while preserving texture, and use selective adjustments or masking to keep skin looking realistic. Start with a light touch and only increase NR where noise is distracting, especially in areas other than the skin texture, to maintain a natural look.