Sharpening with Photoshop

[Osprey 0]

I use CS3 ...

 

Following the advice read I always apply some sharpening to my pictures after I have finished any other processing. Just using 'sharpen' filter I have been told is not teh best way.

 

The technique I have been following is:

Duplicate Layer

Select new layer - set blend mode to Hard Light

Run High Pass Filter and adjust until color just appears and edges define (which always seem to be around a value of 4.5 to 5.5)

Then set blend mode to Overlay

 

 

On the Ron Bigelow pages on blend mode if I read it right seems to be saying:

Duplicate layer

Select new layer - set blend mode to Overlay

Run high pass filter

 

Which is the optimum way of doing things for best results ?

Edited August 8, 2009 by Osprey

[loftus 42]

There really is no 'best' way to sharpen. Essentially every book or article you read has a different take. One thing almost all agree on is that the degree of sharpening will depend on whether you are sharpening for screen or print, and the planned size of the print. So you have to sharpen differently each time depending on output.

I would say that for most purposes at least for computer display purposes, the Smart Sharpen filter in Photoshop is excellent, as of course it was clearly developed for the purpose. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with your approach, but I'm guessing from your post that the approach you use you gleaned from an article you read and that you are not familiar with all the different ways to sharpen. I think that unless there is a special reason to use your approach, it is more complex, with more steps than you need. Sharpening on a new layer is a good idea. Some people recommend using a Luminosity layer....but then I digress, there are so many ways and options. I'd say start simple with Smart Sharpen and add other approaches as you learn more or your needs change.

[Osprey 0]

I would say that for most purposes at least for computer display purposes, the Smart Sharpen filter in Photoshop is excellent, as of course it was clearly developed for the purpose. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with your approach, but I'm guessing from your post that the approach you use you gleaned from an article you read and that you are not familiar with all the different ways to sharpen.

 

 

I had just been reading articles here and other sites ... and picked up the 'instructions' there.

Mu use is to create images for sharing - to be watched on a PC screen or TV via a DVD player.

 

I have no experience of Smart Sharpen ... can you give any tips as to how to use it ?

[loftus 42]

As I said, I'm not being critical, just think that especially starting out, keep it simple and then change if you find something better.

Basic starting steps for Smart Sharpen:

Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen

Click Advanced button

Start with settings of 200 and .8 with Remove Lens Blur and More Accurate checked.

Adjust with Preview button checked to taste.

Sharpening is basically increasing contrast at the edges to enhance the impression of sharpness, and taking it as far as you can without making it look unnatural or create artifacts.

Give it a try, you may prefer the way you do it, and you will probably try other ways as you read more, as I said there really are many ways to do it, just don't make it more complicated than you need for your purposes.

[ce4jesus 1]

I also sharpen using the high pass method...the 2nd one listed in your first post, with one step added. The overlay can be set for 0-100% transparency with a slider in the layer window. This allows you to select the level of sharpening you desire. With the slider, you can control the level of sharpening and select between 0-100%. I find 70% is usually as far as I want to go without creating something that looks over done.

 

Hmmm...I think I'm now going to check out Jeff's method as well since I've never done the advanced tab. Just using the smart sharpen without advanced sometimes overbaked things :?)

[Nige Wade 0]

Hey Ospray,

 

If you shoot in RAW try using the sharpen options in the ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) interface, the little twin triangle icon in the menu bank just below the histogram.

 

Once opened you'll see four sliders - Amount, Radius, Detail & Masking.

Increase the image size to 100% before applying any adjustments.

 

Ammount adjusts the edge definition

 

Radius adjusts the size of the edge

 

Detail controls the level of sharpening applied to fine details like textures

 

Masking helps to restrict the sharpening to the main details

 

Here's a really neat feature, by holding down the Alt key whilst moving the slider you get an overlay mask and can see exactly where the sharpening is being applied. You can set the ammount as you want and know what's beeing sharpened

When you've done all the sharpening you can apply some noise reduction (if needed) all in the same dialogue box.

 

Those Guys at Adobe are the "Mut's Nut's"

 

Hope this is of help

 

Nige Wade

[Osprey 0]

Hey Ospray,

 

If you shoot in RAW try using the sharpen options in the ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) interface, the little twin triangle icon in the menu bank just below the histogram.

 

Once opened you'll see four sliders - Amount, Radius, Detail & Masking.

Increase the image size to 100% before applying any adjustments.

 

Ammount adjusts the edge definition

 

Radius adjusts the size of the edge

 

Detail controls the level of sharpening applied to fine details like textures

 

Masking helps to restrict the sharpening to the main details

 

Here's a really neat feature, by holding down the Alt key whilst moving the slider you get an overlay mask and can see exactly where the sharpening is being applied. You can set the ammount as you want and know what's beeing sharpened

When you've done all the sharpening you can apply some noise reduction (if needed) all in the same dialogue box.

 

Those Guys at Adobe are the "Mut's Nut's"

 

Hope this is of help

 

Nige Wade

 

No previous camera had RAW output, current camera does not.

[diggy 57]

http://reefwreckandcritter.com/photoshop/s..._sharpening.pdf

 

That may be of some help,

 

Cheers,

Diggy

[Osprey 0]

http://reefwreckandcritter.com/photoshop/s..._sharpening.pdf

 

That may be of some help,

 

Cheers,

Diggy

 

good article - thanks

[stewsmith 14]

This is another easy to follow tutorial for advanced sharpening:

 

http://www.focalpress.com/Content.aspx?id=4034

 

Stew

[Cal 5]

I use the highpass method

 

Cntrl J (duplicate layer)

Overlay

Highpass - 3 (or just a percipitble difference)

 

then click the layer on or off to see the difference and adjust the opacity slider accordingly

 

Cheers

 

Cal