WorkSpace How-to Page...

Last Updated:- 22nd April 2024

Why do we need raw files? The reasons are simply when you think in terms of image data. For example, the Workspace editing window is the same for raw or jpeg files, and we get a simulated Live View image with the Enhanced Raw Format and Workspace.

Olympus created a unique front-to-end solution with the Olympus camera, Enhanced Raw Format, and Workspace. Fuji is the only manufacturer to challenge Olympus or OM-System.

For more about the Enhanced Raw Format or editing in Live View mode - link

This Blog supports BOTH creative photographers and those needing good image quality.

How-to Techniques for Workspace

1. How to speed up your refresh rate for Workspace?
2. How to link your preferred Image Editor in WS
3. How to Personalize Your Exif Data
4. How to apply fast adjustments with Workspace
5. How to save your Editing steps as a batch-processing file
6. How to use Olympus Capture Software
7. How to edit with your Olympus camera in PCRAW mode
8. How to manage your Pen F color and monochrome Profiles
9. How to edit and create videos
10. How to apply the Dark Frame option to reduce Image Noise
11. WorkSpace editing steps - How to step backward and forward?
12. See this quick and easy technique to edit your images...
13. How to sharpen your Olympus images
14.  How to create your editing space for WorkSpace
15. How to adjust your Shadows and Highlights in WorkSpace
16. How to use Tone Curves with WorkSpace
17. How to save your edited image?
18. How to save a PDF copy of the WorkSpace Users Manual?
19. How to activate your camera settings in Workspace.
20. How to use the Color Creator function in WS?
21. A new feature was added to WS with the V1.5 upgrade
22. Which are the "Enhanced" and "Normal" raw options?
23. How to see your Pen F adjustments in Workspace?
24. How to prepare and Export an image for Instagram?
25. How to display and check your autofocus in WS?
26. How to make WorkSpace faster with PCRAW mode?
27. Workspace and the 13" M1 MacBook Pro (16GB memory)
28. How to install the new AI Noise reduction in Workspace.
29. How to edit your Enhanced RAW Files in 2 steps
30. Which version of Workspace is better?
31. Workspace Essentials for 2024 - NEW
32. How to recreate the camera's JPEG in Workspace - NEW
33. ...

Here are more articles about WorkSpace

- Creative editing with WorkSpace Part 5 - link

- Olympus Pen F color and monochrome profiles with WorkSpace - link

- Guide to Olympus creative color techniques Part 6 - link

- How to create and edit a video with your EM5 II and WorkSpace - link

- WorkSpace is the new Olympus image editor - link

- Olympus Live View and Enhanced Raw Files - link

WorkSpace - How-to Techniques 

1. How to speed up the screen refresh rate for Workspace?

Olympus added a new feature to speed up the screen refresh rate. Click on the button in the illustration below, and Workspace will slightly reduce the display resolution to improve the refresh cycle. Click the button again for a detailed display (image).

2. How to link your preferred Image Editor in WS. 

Many Photographers work with image editors like Photoshop or Luminar. You can link your favorite image editor to the EX button in Workspace. Go to Settings and follow the steps below.

Do your raw conversions in WS and benefit from the Olympus Image Processing and Workspace. Transfer the converted 16-bit Tiff file to Photoshop or Luminar for any additional editing.

- When editing your 16-bit Tiff file in Photoshop:-

1. Change the 16-bit Tiff file to a Smart Object and create a duplicate layer.
2. Select ACR from the Filter menu and open the Tiff file in the PS raw editor.
3. Apply any of the raw adjustments you would apply in the PS raw converter
4. The final step is to continue editing the converted raw file with Photoshop...

3. How to personalize your Exif data

You can personalize your Exif data in the "MY Tab." 

See the steps below:-

- Go to the "Window" menu and click "Show Properties."
- Select and link your preferred Exif data to the MY Tab.

- Select the data field you want in the Exif data, right-click, and select "Add to my Properties."

How to link the "Picture Profile" to the MY tab. Look for color profiles or color-creator settings if you received an image with Exif data (illustration below). This is a good way of checking for Exif data on photos you received from a friend or found on the web.

Another option is to check the images you received or downloaded or hold the mouse over the thumbnail. This will open a new window, like the example below.

4. How to apply fast adjustments with Workspace

Workspace might feel slow, even though it is faster than the older Olympus Viewer 3 editor. The reason is that Workspace first applies new adjustments before going to the next one.

Is it possible to change that? See the steps in the illustration on the left. Select the value you like to change, and you will see an Up/Down window. You can adjust the values one click at a time or click and hold the mouse button for continuous changes.

5. How to save your Editing steps as a batch-processing file

You might work on a new color profile or repeat a specific editing sequence on other images. The solution is to save an Editing Profile as a Batch Processing File. See the illustration below and follow the steps to create a batch-processing file.

- See the steps and the illustration below (illustration below):-

1. Click the "Save Processing Batch file" button.
2. Select the "Save a Batch Processing file" option
3. Select or de-select any settings you like to include
4. Give the profile a name and Save it. (Create/use your own Profile folder)
5. This is a list of profiles or batch-processing files I saved

Repeat the above steps BUT select the "Load a Batch Processing" file option, and apply your profile to the next image.

Your personal profiles are saved or recalled via the "Batch Processing" option in Workspace.

6. How to use Olympus Capture Software

See this video from Peter Forsgard about Olympus Capture.

Here you can find the latest information about Workspace, Olympus Capture, downloads, and the most recent software updates.

7. How to edit with your Olympus camera in PCRAW Mode

The reasons for having this option are speed, Olympus Image Processing, and synchronizing your camera settings with Workspace. Workspace uses the same Editing window for raw files and jpegs files. The disadvantage of converting raw files without the PCRAW option is speed (especially on older PCs). Connect your EM1 II & III or OM-1 via the PCRAW mode. The raw editing window only changes for the EM1 (II & III).

Workspace has two raw conversion windows for the EM1s. The 2nd conversion window activates with the EM1s in PCRAW mode. There are 2 additional options in PCRAW mode. Editing with the camera SD card or with your PC hard disk. The PCRAW editor has fewer options for the EM1s.

Workspace V2 received a new PCRAW editing window for the OM-1. It's not a separate raw conversion window like the EM1s. The OM-1 received full access to the default conversion window in Workspace. This is a significant improvement...

Also, see Tip 27

- How to connect your camera, follow the steps below:

• Connect the camera to your PC with the supplied USB C cable
• Switch the camera ON and select PC-RAW on the camera display
• Open Workspace if not already open
• WS will prompt you to select which files you like to edit (Camera SD card or PC)
• The EM1 II & III have a separate and the OM-1 default editing window.
• You can apply profiles, copy settings, and paste them on multiple files when needed.
• Export the edited file (the file format options change with the camera connected)
• It takes a little practice...

Step 1 - The above schematic shows the Editing window and Step 2 is the window for the EM1s. The main difference is less editing options in step 2. I tested the EM1 II & III. PCRAW does not work for older cameras like the EM5 II or the Pen F.

- Update for the OM-1

Connecting the OM-1 is different. Connect the camera like normal to the PC and select PCRAW on the camera. Instead of activating PCRAW mode like the EM1s, use the PCRAW button in the standard Editing window. The OM-1 has full access to all the "Enhanced" Raw Features. 

The OM-1 is noticeably quicker in PCRAW. It makes WS even more attractive as a RAW converter. It's easier to go between the OM-1 PCRAW mode and the regular editing pallet with Workspace.

I use my baby Macbook Pro (M1 processor). This is my main editing PC for enhanced raw files. I never experienced that Workspace V2 is slower on the M1 Macbook Pro or PCRAW mode. See my article on upgrading my iMac. OM-System corrected this problem with V2.11.

8. How to manage your Pen F color & monochrome profiles  

- This brief description with 4 scenarios:-

1. WorkSpace developed profiles - How to transfer the profile to the Pen F
2. Saving your Pen F configuration/settings on your PC
3. Extracting and saving color or monochrome profiles from JPEG images
4. Creating/using your WorkSpace Profiles with WorkSpace (See Tip 4 above)

I. WorkSpace developed Profiles - How to upload profiles to the Pen F

This article reviews DXO-FilmPack and how to create Pen-F or E-P7 profiles. It also explains the differences between the Pen-F and WorkSpace profiles. These differences also explain why we can't upload Workspace profiles to the Pen-F. That said, the most practical way of adding new profiles to the Pen-F is to manually program them into the Pen-F.

II. Saving your Pen F camera configuration on your PC

It is possible to share your complete Pen F configuration with a friend. If you need to share your Pen-F settings and profiles, connect the Pen-F to your PC and select "Save settings /MySets" from the menu (window below). Another method is to use the "Custom Settings" and "Save" functions from the WorkSpace "Camera" menu. (2nd image).

Transfer the Pen F configuration (file. set) to your PC and save it. Mail the "file. set" file to your friend. The recipient will use "Load" from the "Custom Settings" menu to transfer the Pen-F configuration and profiles to his or her camera.

For more information, see the illustrations below...

Olympus Updater.

Select Option B to transfer the Pen F settings/configuration from the PC to the camera or vice versa. Follow the steps in the illustration below.

If you don't know when to select "Load" or "Save," see the illustration below. You will always see the "direction" of the transfer on the panel to the left in the Update Window, 

III. Extracting and saving a color or monochrome profile from jpeg images

You can share Pen F profiles with a jpeg file. Select a profile, take a photo, and mail it to a friend. You can resize the jpeg in WS or select a smaller file size in the Pen-F.

Open the jpeg in Workspace and select "Export" from the "File" menu. See the illustration below to include the Exif Data.

Follow the steps below to extract a Pen-F Profile from a jpeg file...

Select Option A.

If you discover a Pen-F image on the web and need to verify its profile data, right-click on the image to download it. Open the image in WorkSpace and check the Exif data. See the example below...

It's possible to extract the profile data if you find a color or monochrome profile. 

9. How to create videos in WorkSpace?

I prepared a short article on how to record videos with your Olympus and how to edit them in WorkSpace. Included are the instructions to edit and export the final video in WorkSpace.

Read the article in the above link for how to Export the file. The image below has info on how to convert video formats.

See the article (above link) for more information about Workspace and title pages or audio tracks.

10. How to use the Dark Frame function

Olympus improved the noise reduction capability of Workspace. They added new spot removal and dark frame options. Use a second "dark frame" image with higher ISOs. Use the dark frame image with the new function to reduce the noise.

Olympus EM1 II with 50mm f1,4 Leica - ISO6400, f7.1, 1/13Sec - Raw edited in WorkSpace and finished in Photoshop.

Image noise increases with higher sensor temperature. Higher temperatures change the camera's noise floor. The dark frame function is perfect for high-temperature situations.

Put the lens cap on and take a second "dark frame" image. Practice with this function before using it. It's often better to cancel the in-camera noise reduction and to use Workspace and your Enhanced Raw Files. This makes it possible to selectively apply the noise reduction options in WorkSpace. You will have the same results with Workspace and often better as with your camera.

11. WorkSpace Editing History - Step backward/forward

How does one go back one or more steps when editing with WorkSpace? You did a few editing steps in WorkSpace, and you like to go back a few steps. Study the image below:-

- Click on the WorkSpace "History" button,

- A new "History" window will open in WS,

Go one step back and select the Highlights & Shadows by "selecting A" in the above example. Select the "Highlight & Shadow" step to cancel this step and everything below...

Practice this technique, and it will become easy. It's quick to move backward and forward in the editing history window and to cancel or monitor your editing steps.

12. A quick way to edit your images...

Many photographers completely underestimate ART Filters. Photography became a quest for technically perfect images. We need to choose between technically correct and pleasing results.

Also, see my How-To tip No-17 further down...

This technique consists of editing jpegs and showing the advantages:

• This is an easy and quick editing technique...
• It's a repeatable technique or steps to edit your images
• It's quick to develop a unique editing style or look for your images
• Create your own Batch Profile if you are happy with your new editing style

Follow these simple steps to edit your JPEG image with ART filters:-

Step I

- Open an image in WorkSpace and select the ART filter you like to use...

The Pop ART II filter works for bright and energetic colors... Experiment with the different ART filters to find a look that works for you. The ART filters are more flexible in WorkSpace. 

Step 2

Fine-tune the image with the Highlights & shadows function. I used the settings in the image below to remove contrast and lighten the Pop ART II filter for the above intro image...

Experiment with your "curve" adjustments until you find a look that works for the ART filter.

Step 3

The final step is to sharpen the image. The settings below work well for my O-MD cameras. You could also use 15 for the threshold and/or 30 for the Amount.

Save your adjustments in a "batch processing" file if you are done and satisfied. Use this batch file or "profile" to edit your future images. You might get away with only your batch "Profile," and people might already recognize your work from your new profile or batch processing file...

See the final image below. I did not use layers for this example...

This image was taken with the EM5 and 14-42mm lens in 2012 - Salt Lake City (USA)

It also works well to use two images, the original and an edited ART profile image. Open both in PS in layers. Experiment with the Blending modes and the opacity slider until you find the right image look. Layers is a powerful editing option and perfect for taming down some ART filters.

13. How to sharpen your Olympus images

The question often is, should I sharpen my images, and when or how much? The secret is to keep any image post-processing or sharpening as little as possible. Olympus jpegs are already good and don't need much sharpening. Never use the sharpening sliders in the camera or WorkSpace. Use the Unsharp Mask filter in WorkSpace. See the image below.

The settings in the above example are safe or enough for most of your Olympus images. This is if the sharpening sliders in the camera or WS were not used. 

Sharpened in WorkSpace (on the right)

14. How do we change the editing space in WorkSpace

How do we change the editing space in WorkSpace? For example, it's possible to always have a "large" version of your image in WS. I prefer smaller files when I edit with my Macbook Pro.

The above image is the typical editing window of Workspace on my Macbook Pro. The WorkSpace window can quickly transform into a new editing space. It is nothing new to change the editing window while editing. See the examples below...

With 2 clicks (see above), the working space (below) is optimized for my laptop...

With 2 clicks, the working space is optimized to compare the edited image with the original image...

Experiment with the different windows, panels, and layouts in Workspace. Getting used to that also makes it difficult to use another image editor.

See the above example for one final option to improve your image editing experience with Workspace. Drag the editing pallet away from its docking position and place it anywhere you like. When done, click the "restore" icon (see arrow), and the editing pallet will return to its docking position...

Also, see  Tip 1 for more about speeding up the screen refresh rate...

15. How to adjust your Shadows and Highlights in WorkSpace

Also, see this article...

16. How to use Tone Curves in WorkSpace

The tone curves or the curves function is one of the most powerful editing functions. We can adjust the highlights, shadows, and mid-tones with the curves function. For example, an S-curve will increase your contrast. See the video links further down.

We can also adjust any of the 3 RGB colors with the curves. The curves function will change the selected and opposite colors. Use the Olympus color creator to find the opposite colors.

Try this quick exercise:-

- Open a raw file with blue or yellow colors (grass) in WorkSpace

- Select the blue on the Color Creator (See example above)

- Adjust the Vividness to -2 or -1

- Select the opposite color in Tone Curves (yellow)

- Move the midpoint of the curve up or down while monitoring the image

- The secret is small steps or adjustments...

For more information, see the videos below:-

• For an explanation of the Tone Curve function, see this - link
• Serge Ramelli is well known for his work - watch this video - link
• A very informative explanation of the Histogram and Tone Curves - link

The above videos show why. Layers will benefit WorkSpace. This includes basic layer features for the Pen-F. Mastering layers is one of the most fundamental steps to improve your editing skills...

17. How to save your edited image?

See the diagram below.

The export function has more options. See the Users Manual for more details.

18. How to get a PDF copy of the WorkSpace Users Manual

Install the free copy if you didn't install Adobe Acrobat Reader. To see the PDF version of the Users Manual, follow the steps in the diagram below...

19. How to activate your camera settings in Workspace

See this article for more on Live View.

We can simulate the camera's last Live View display on your PC in WorkSpace. Opening the raw file in WorkSpace is the same as viewing the raw sensor data. It is possible to see the final camera Live View display in WS when you activate your camera settings in WS. The reason is the unique similarities between the camera and WorkSpace. 

Functions like shadows & highlight, the Color Profile, and the Color Creator will change the camera Live View before you release the shutter. All these camera settings are available in WorkSpace.

This unique feature makes it possible to experiment in WorkSpace and manually transfer the settings to your camera.

Does the WorkSpace Live View feature support jpeg files? 

You need the raw image data to see the final Live View display in WorkSpace. The raw data simulates the image signal coming from the sensor. After activating your camera settings in WorkSpace, you will see the camera Live View display before releasing the shutter. 

Why is this Live View capability not in the User Manuals? 

The WS user manual is a short overview. I assume Olympus wanted to introduce these and other unique color and creative photography features. They probably thought Olympus photographers were not ready after the criticism from "reviewers and forums experts" on DPReview and Mu-43.

Almost all the camera settings are available in the raw file. The challenge is that you only see the "neutral" or unchanged raw file in WS when you open the raw file. Activate the camera settings in WS to see the Live View display in WS.

This is what you see when you open the raw file in WS. The settings are displayed but not activated. You need to select the "Adjust Color" function. See the image on the right on how to activate the camera setting in Workspace.

What makes this step more complex is functions like the Color Creator. You will only see Picture Mode and "Neutral" in WS. Go to "Picture mode" and "Color Creator" to activate them in Workspace.

One can have a quick overview of all the camera settings in Workspace?

Add the Exif data on the left to your "My list" in WS. See the User Manual for details on how to set it up.

One of the craziest examples is:-

- Sharpness

- Saturation

- Contrast

These camera settings are not visible like the Color Profile in WorkSpace because they are treated as "presets." That means you will only see the effect of these camera settings in WS. Activate the ones you used in the camera. To see which ones you used, go to the Exif data...

You will see the camera Live View display in Workspace to evaluate what you did in the camera. The more you practice using the enhanced raw format, the better you will get with the corresponding camera and Workspace features.

For more about WorkSpace and the Live View mode, see this article. 

20. How to use the Color Creator in the camera and WS?

See this short article with examples...

21. A great new feature was added to WS in the V1.5 version

Like Photoshop, move the mouse over the image and identify the colors and tones on the Color Adjust (Profile) tool and the Tone Curves function.

This is great because you can now more accurately select and adjust colors or tones...

22. Which are Enhanced and which are Normal Raw settings?

For more about the Enhanced Raw Format, go here. Learn which settings are unique to the camera and the Enhanced Raw Format and which are Normal Raw settings.

The image below is a copy of the WS Editing tools. I marked the Enhanced Raw File settings "Enhanced" and the Normal Raw settings "Normal."

None of the settings are active when you open the enhanced raw file. What you see is the raw sensor data. You need to "activate" the camera settings before they are active in WorkSpace. For example, select the white balance to activate the camera WB setting. (See below)

The same is true for all the Enhanced Raw settings. Activate the Color Creator if you applied it to your camera and want to see the effect in Workspace.

How does one "activate" these enhanced raw file settings in WorkSpace? See my article explaining Live View and how to work with Enhanced Raw Files. See the illustration below for more information.

23. How to see your Pen-F adjustments in Workspace

Much of my writing is about the Olympus Pen-F and its creative functions. What about other Olympus cameras? One of the versions made it possible to use Pen-F color or MonoChrome Profiles with E-M1 II raw files. More recent versions included most Olympus cameras...

The solution is simple. Open your raw file in WorkSpace and activate the camera settings. Export a 16-bit Tiff copy to your "converted" folder. Edit the Tiff file in WS and apply the Pen F profiles on the Tiff file...

All the Olympus cameras with the ART filter, the Color Creator, or Shadows/Highlights (Curves) functions have the "Enhanced" type raw files. See this article. The only features unique to the Pen-F or the E-P7 (raw format) are the Color and MonoChrome Profiles Functions.

This means if you have a camera like the EM10 II or the EM5 II, then you will edit your enhanced raw files in WS with all the creative freedom of the Pen F. If you like to add a Color Profile, open the 16-bit Tiff file and apply one of your saved profiles.

24. How to prepare and Export an image for Instagram

The steps to prep and export an image for Instagram. See the illustration below:

1. Open and edit the image in Workspace.
2. Crop the image for Instagram (The crop ratio is 4:5 - the dimensions are 1080 x 1350)
3. Export the image (Use 1350 in Step 4 to apply the correct dimensions for Instagram)

25. How to display and check your autofocus in WS?

Olympus added a function to Workspace to show the autofocus point in the image. It is now possible to activate this feature in WorkSpace. You can then check your focus points on the image. This is a great tool to help you improve your autofocus results. The Autofocus On/Off button can be found at the bottom of the Workspace window. See the image below...

Having used this for a few weeks, the AF point is always in the center of the image. My preferred AF mode is (S2/C2/M1). This makes it possible to apply AF, keep the shutter halfway, reframe, and press it. Looking at the AF point in WS, it's always in the center?

26. How to speed up WorkSpace by connecting your EM1s or OM-1?

We can speed up Workspace with the EM1 (II & III) and OM-1 connected to the PC in PCRAW mode. The benefits are significant. I linked my EM1 II to my older iMac and tested the effectiveness of this feature. I then applied the same editing with and without the camera connected. The cycle times are faster in PCRAW mode and up to 30 seconds when not.

See Tip 7 for more information about PCRAW and connecting the OM-1...

What are the main benefits of using the EM1 (II or III) image processor? It helps to reduce the waiting times between the editing steps when trying new techniques, practicing with raw files, creating color or monochrome profiles, and experimenting with ART filters.

This is how to connect the camera:-

1. Open Workspace and open your EM1 II raw folder
2. Connect your EM1 II USB cable to the camera and your PC
3. Switch the camera "ON" and select "PCRAW" on the camera
4. WS will automatically jump to Step 2 (see image below)

This is your Normal Workspace editing screen.

How to return to the connected EM1 II editing window? It's possible to return to the PC Raw editing window if you accidentally "canceled" the "PCRAW" editing window and you are back in the "normal" mode. Select the option in the above image and follow steps 2 and 3.

Here you select the file you like to edit with your EM1 connected.

This is the EM1 II (connected) editing screen.

PCRAW mode is automatically opened when the EM1s or OM-1 is connected in PCRAW mode. The EM1s editing window has fewer options than the normal editing mode. The editing speed improvements are significant. PCRAW mode is ideal with the camera and the WS image processors working together. Transfer the edited raw files to Photoshop and continue your editing in Photoshop...

27. Workspace with the 13" M1 MacBook Pro with 16GB Memory

I started with Windows when I bought my first Desktop PC. I kept my final Windows 7 version for unique cases. I changed to the basic 13" Macbook Pro and a well-specified iMac in 2014. Both these Macs work well with Workspace V1.5. The only problem was I could not use the Graphics Processors with WS. These older Macs also work well with my EM1 II & III in PCRAW mode. OMWS V2 did not work well with these Macs. The new AI Noise Reduction filter did not work on these Macs. 

I have a newer basic Macbook Pro with an M1 processor. I added 16GB to the Macbook Pro. Workspace V2 works with the M1 Macbook Pro. The Graphics Processor connects automatically. I never used the "detailed screen" option (See tip 26) on my older Macs. With the newer M1, this feature is fast to keep it ON while editing with the new M1 Macbook Pro.

28. How to install the new AI Noise reduction filter

If you have an older version of Workspace on your PC and you like to upgrade, go to the Help menu and select the "Upgrade Software" option. It will install the new updater and then version 2. It does take a little while to do all this.

The new AI Noise Reduction filter (App) does not work with older Macs. I installed the V2 version on my newer Macbook Pro M1, and everything was OK.

Workspace will verify if the PC is compatible with the AI Noise Reduction Filter when updating to a newer version. If yes, you will see the message below. (left). You will have no message window when not compatible. Nothing happens if you install it again. The filter is installed if your PC has the correct hardware configuration. The image to the right (below) is what the function looks like in the Workspace editing window.

The AI Filter deactivates when installing the V2 upgrade, and you receive the OK. You need to install it again. Go to the help menu in Workspace V2 and select and download the new AI Noise Reduction filter. When installing the AI filter, you see a message window asking which cameras you like to include. All 3 cameras are automatically selected. Leave the selections as-is and press OK. I removed the OM-1 and then had to re-install the AI filter. It's a complete installation each time...

When done, it's easy to use. Be aware of the following:-

- The AI reduction filter works for the OM-1 and some older models

- It does not have any effect on images recorded at lower than ISO800

- It does not have any effect on Live ND images

- It does not have any effect on images recorded with multi-exposures

- It does not have any effect when using the "Merge Images" option in the camera

I photographed a few variations of a poorly lit scene at ISO12800...

Olympus EM1 III with 12-45mm f4, ISO12800, f5.0, 1/13th - edited with WS and the new AI Noise Reduction filter.

The above image is edited in Workspace( V2), and I used the new AI Noise Reduction filter. The AI filter has a few options and is easy to use. I did not expose for max SNR. I also did nothing else to improve the recorded image data. Study the images on a larger display. The scene was reasonably dark, and the shadows darker (probably 3 stops below neutral gray). You will see the shadow recovery is OK. The reflected information (data) might be too weak.

The same image was edited in PhotoLab 5 with Prime noise removal (I used slightly different colors in PL-5).

The same image was edited in PhotoLab 5 with DeepDive noise removal.

I use PhotoLab 5 on my iMac. When studying the results, you will see Workspace and the new AI filter causes a yellow cast. The Olympus noise filter is excellent for all Olympus cameras. I mostly use the "Low" option. The best way to manage noise is to improve your exposure skills...

Pls speed up WS, do any necessary upgrades, and open the AI filter for older PCs. The PhotoLab 5 AI filter works well on my older Macs. 

This EM1 III image was edited with WS with normal NR - The settings are in the Exif data.

29. How to edit your Enhanced Raw Files in 2 Steps

Most photographers edit their raw files in one session. PhotoLab and Lightroom are good examples of processing raw files in one step. While one session is OK for "standard" scenes, more complex scenes and Workspace benefit from converting and editing raw files in two stages.

See the link to the article...

30. Which version of Workspace is better?

The two versions in question are the older V1,5 and the newer version V2 of Workspace. They are almost identical, except for the AI noise reduction feature in V2. The more frustrating difference is the V2 version is slow on older computers which are doing well with version V1.5.

All Olympus cameras before the EM1 III are OK with V1.5. I kept one of the final V1.5 copies on my older Macbook Pro.

It is not a good idea to upgrade to V2 and to re-install V1.5. The reason is the Workspace database stays on the PC, and the V2 upgrade is not downward compatible...

Personally, I had it with all the software upgrades and reinstalled a previous OS on my older Macbook Pro. This allows me to continue with the software that's working perfectly well. I am even at the point of having only one PC on the web and using my older iMac and Macbook Pro offline...

Update: OMDS updated WS to V2.1.1.1 in January 2023. It works perfectly well will my older iMac 2014. I have yet to try the AI noise reduction feature...

31. Workspace Essentials for 2024

32. How to recreate your camera's JPEG in Workspace

See this short article discussing the 3 steps to recreate a copy of your camera's JPEG image...