Sharpening

L

loosehead

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67
Name
Stu
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

I'm finding that most of my shots need to be sharpened to a greater or lesser extent, is this what everybody else finds? Or is it something that improves with greater experience? It's not exactly keeping me awake at night but it'd be interesting to see what other people do.

Stu.
 
Usually touch up every image with sharpen to some extent, it's always nice when you get the ones that don't need it though :D
 
Generally yes, I use sharpening as the last task in processing, and it depends on output, i.e. sharpening for web is different to sharpening say for a large print.
 
Simplest is to use the unsharp mask filter but you can get much better results using a high pass filter overlay layer as below:

Open your image in photoshop and click F7 to make sure the layers window is open.

Control + J produces a new copy layer (called layer 1 by photoshop)

Then click "filter" - "other" - "high pass"

Set the radius to 4.0 pixels (MAX) i use aroubd 2.6 and click "ok"

Now look at the layers window where you'll see a drop down menu with "normal" showing in it.

Open the drop down menu and select "overlay"



The photograph immediately sharpens. Look in the layers window for the "fill" drop down menu. Pick this and drag the slider anywhere between 100% and 0% depending on the degree of sharpening you want.

Finally click "layer" and "flatten image" and save your changes.
 
Do you mean sharpening as in post processing, enhancing edge definition? Every image needs a bit of that, but it's usually a fixed amount depending on your work flow.

The way you've phrased the question kind of suggests you are referring to a focusing problem. If so, post a sample pic.
 
the ghost said:
Simplest is to use the unsharp mask filter but you can get much better results using a high pass filter overlay layer as below:

Open your image in photoshop and click F7 to make sure the layers window is open.

Control + J produces a new copy layer (called layer 1 by photoshop)

Then click "filter" - "other" - "high pass"

Set the radius to 4.0 pixels (MAX) i use aroubd 2.6 and click "ok"

Now look at the layers window where you'll see a drop down menu with "normal" showing in it.

Open the drop down menu and select "overlay"



The photograph immediately sharpens. Look in the layers window for the "fill" drop down menu. Pick this and drag the slider anywhere between 100% and 0% depending on the degree of sharpening you want.

Finally click "layer" and "flatten image" and save your changes.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this Paul.

Tried it this way with a few photos today and it does give better results. So much so that I made a Photoshop action so I can use a keyboard shortcut for instant sharpening.

I'm sure most of you already know how to make actions but for people who don't here's a quick explanation.

1 Open a photo in Photoshop ( I use CS4 but I'm sure all versions are similar)

2 Click on Window > Actions to activate the pallette

3 Open the Actions menu (top right of pallette) and select New Action

4 Give it a name and and select a function key ( I picked F2 and CTRL)

5 Click on record and then follow Paul's steps above. Take your time as recording isn't time based, it only records steps you take in Photoshop.

6 When you have completed tha sequence click the Stop icon on the bottom of the Actions pallette.

7 Now every time you open an image in Photoshop you just need to press your keyboard shortcuts to activate the action ( in my case CTRL and F2)

Hope this helps,
Paul
 
I find with my Sigma 70mm f2.8 and my Sigma 24-60mm f2.8 I really dont need to sharpen at all. However with my 18-200mm I always need a little sharpening. I do this in the Canon DPP software as it gives better results than mu Photoshop Elements.
 
first of all All photos if shot in RAW will need sharpening. if you shot in JPG then your camera will do it at time of taken it.
There is no one fix for all photos that is why RAW gives you more control.
Some need little and some need a lot more, also I find that different kinds of image will need different ways to sharpen.
 
Redpaul said:
Thanks for this Paul.

Tried it this way with a few photos today and it does give better results. So much so that I made a Photoshop action so I can use a keyboard shortcut for instant sharpening.

I'm sure most of you already know how to make actions but for people who don't here's a quick explanation.

1 Open a photo in Photoshop ( I use CS4 but I'm sure all versions are similar)

2 Click on Window > Actions to activate the pallette

3 Open the Actions menu (top right of pallette) and select New Action

4 Give it a name and and select a function key ( I picked F2 and CTRL)

5 Click on record and then follow Paul's steps above. Take your time as recording isn't time based, it only records steps you take in Photoshop.

6 When you have completed tha sequence click the Stop icon on the bottom of the Actions pallette.

7 Now every time you open an image in Photoshop you just need to press your keyboard shortcuts to activate the action ( in my case CTRL and F2)

Hope this helps,
Paul
Click to expand...

Paul, I am very new to photoshop (ie yesterday:lol:)
Could you explain a little further about recording actions?
I have got as far as creating new action and it is on record but i am unsure as to how to input the steps in the action, (if that makes sense)
Your help will be much appreciated.
iain
 
blakester said:
Paul, I am very new to photoshop (ie yesterday:lol:)
Could you explain a little further about recording actions?
I have got as far as creating new action and it is on record but i am unsure as to how to input the steps in the action, (if that makes sense)
Your help will be much appreciated.
iain
Click to expand...

Hi Iain,
I only taught myself this today so am no expert myself :thumbs:

While it is recording just go through the steps explained by Paul (the ghost) a few post above. When you have completed Paul's steps click on the stop icon.

Good luck,

Paul
 
Redpaul said:
Hi Iain,
I only taught myself this today so am no expert myself :thumbs:

While it is recording just go through the steps explained by Paul (the ghost) a few post above. When you have completed Paul's steps click on the stop icon.

Good luck,

Paul
Click to expand...

Now sorted :thumbs: Thanks to both Pauls :)
 
Generally I just use sharpening of '2' in DPP. I put out a small image (800 on the long end) for web and one 2000 on the long end for storage and printing.
 
Hi all,
some interesting replies there and great advice too. Hoppyuk is right, I'm referring more to focusing problems than anything - mind you I'm a b****r for using widest apertures available and very prone to camera shake!

Thanks,

Stu.
 
loosehead said:
Hi all,
some interesting replies there and great advice too. Hoppyuk is right, I'm referring more to focusing problems than anything - mind you I'm a b****r for using widest apertures available and very prone to camera shake!

Thanks,

Stu.
Click to expand...
If it out of focus then it will all ways be so.
Sharping will not make it right
I photo that is sharp might not be in focus and one that is in focus might not be sharp.
to different things.
 
I use a 5D2 and shoot RAW, over 90% are sharp out of the camera using L glass.

However the odd one does come out a tiny bit soft so here's what I do in Photoshop.

I import the picture and convert it to Lab colour.

In layers choose the black and white layer.

Sharpen that using Unsharp mask set at 150, 1, 0 If you have Photoshop you'll understand these numbers.

Then convert it back to RGB. This sharpens the picture without Fringing of chromic faults.

Quick and simple but works.

For really bad ones try FocusMagic it is simple to use and produces some cracking results.
 
Can someone explain how the radius control in PS sharpening works? I know it makes a difference but not sure how it does it! Also I haven't used a high pass one yet, why would it give better results than unsharpen mask?
 
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