Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Sharpening in Photoshop

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Rhode Island USA
    Posts
    34
    Real Name
    Steve

    Sharpening in Photoshop

    Maybe its my eyes, but I sharpen my images in Photoshop and I can not see any difference when I'm done!

    What's the secret, or are the changes that subtle?
    Last edited by Colin Southern; 25th September 2010 at 09:30 PM.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    17,660
    Real Name
    Have a guess :)

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    Hi SDChester,

    I'd suggest using an Unsharp Mask (Filter -> Sharpen -> Unsharp Mask). The results you see depend on the settings you enter.

    We've discussed sharpening a bit here, which you might find of interest.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    South Devon, UK
    Posts
    14,494

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    As well as the links given by Colin, you may find this series of tutorials useful http://www.ronbigelow.com/articles/s...1/sharpen1.htm

    The amount of visible changes caused by sharpening will vary depending on the method used and the amount of added sharpening; which will range between barely noticeable and horrendously oversharpened.

    But I am often disappointed with the sharpness of my photos when displayed on the internet. They print fine and although I do everything correctly when resizing for web use, I struggle to achieve consistent sharp and well saturated images on some web sites.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Rhode Island USA
    Posts
    34
    Real Name
    Steve

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    Colin.
    Thanks! I do use Usharp, maybe I'm not sharpening anough?

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    17,660
    Real Name
    Have a guess :)

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    Quote Originally Posted by SDChester View Post
    Colin.
    Thanks! I do use Usharp, maybe I'm not sharpening anough?
    Without seeing the "problem", who knows

  6. #6
    flipmode's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Las Vegas, NV
    Posts
    100
    Real Name
    Chris

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    I normally view at 100%, choose a section of the photo that you can definitely see the USM being applied to (i.e. a model's eye), then apply enough sharpening as needed. Keep in mind the amount of sharpening needed is also relative to the resolution you're working with.

    If you tick and untick the sharpening you made, are you not seeing the changes? And at 100% zoom?

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    17,660
    Real Name
    Have a guess :)

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    Quote Originally Posted by flipmode View Post
    I normally view at 100%, choose a section of the photo that you can definitely see the USM being applied to (i.e. a model's eye), then apply enough sharpening as needed.
    Hi Chris,

    The zoom level really depends on what kind of sharpening you're applying. For capture sharpening at full resolution, 100% zoom is the only way to go - but when it comes to content / creative sharpening with smaller amounts and higher radius then you'll need to have the whole image displayed at once to be able to judge the correct amount.

  8. #8
    flipmode's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Las Vegas, NV
    Posts
    100
    Real Name
    Chris

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    Agreed. I actually do both. Just depends on what I'm working with.

  9. #9
    Hansm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Netherlands
    Posts
    401
    Real Name
    Hans

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    The way I do is as follows:
    First I convert the image to LAB mode (Image-> Mode-> LAB).
    Then select the Lightness channel only (picture turns into B/W) Apply Unsharp Masking to the Lightness channel only (Filter-> Sharpen -> Unsharp Masking)
    and convert back to RGB mode (Image-> Mode-> RGB Mode).
    It's maybe an odd way but I work quite often in LAB mode.

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Rhode Island USA
    Posts
    34
    Real Name
    Steve

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    Geoff F,
    Thank you! the link was exstreamly helpful. I new nothing of the subject, and was trying to sharpen resolution lost by manification!

  11. #11

    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Rhode Island USA
    Posts
    34
    Real Name
    Steve

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    could not get it to work! old photo shop 7

  12. #12
    pono's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Wahiawa, Hawaii
    Posts
    174
    Real Name
    Shane Kupono Costa

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    I use CS3. I use USM, and I too, have a hard time telling the difference, but when i crank the levels to where I can see the difference, to me, it looks too fake and crappy, for lack of better terms. Any tips?

  13. #13

    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    17,660
    Real Name
    Have a guess :)

    Re: Sharpening in Photoshop

    Quote Originally Posted by pono View Post
    I use CS3. I use USM, and I too, have a hard time telling the difference, but when i crank the levels to where I can see the difference, to me, it looks too fake and crappy, for lack of better terms. Any tips?
    I think you need to understand sharpening a bit more, as there are different types - applied at different times, and the amount varies depending on the type or sharpening - the type of image - the resolution of the image.

    Have you read through any of our previous threads on the topic?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •