Sharpening with Elements
Feb 3, 2012 20:42:16 #
My hope is to stimulate a discussion to help each other achieve better results with Photoshop Elements 10 in regard to sharpening images. I am relatively new to photo processing and dedicated to learn more from whoever is willing to help.
My current and probably BFF for Elemenets is Kelby and Kloskoski's book. It devotes a chapter (10) to sharpening with the Editor and also addresses it in the Adobe Camera RAW (ACR) chapter for RAW images.
In summary there are many ways to sharpen and I hope to learn more on which to use when and how to best use it. Possibilities include:
1. Unsharp mask.
2. Adjust sharpness.
3. ACR sharpness.
4. Emboss filter (with layering).
5. High pass filter.
6. Multiple applications of above using layers.
And probably more.
Suggestions?
My current and probably BFF for Elemenets is Kelby and Kloskoski's book. It devotes a chapter (10) to sharpening with the Editor and also addresses it in the Adobe Camera RAW (ACR) chapter for RAW images.
In summary there are many ways to sharpen and I hope to learn more on which to use when and how to best use it. Possibilities include:
1. Unsharp mask.
2. Adjust sharpness.
3. ACR sharpness.
4. Emboss filter (with layering).
5. High pass filter.
6. Multiple applications of above using layers.
And probably more.
Suggestions?
Feb 3, 2012 20:46:47 #
Feb 4, 2012 15:27:44 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
I have bookmarked this thread, as I want to learn how to use my PSE-10.
I am interested too!!!!! how do you bookmark thread???
Feb 4, 2012 15:28:53 #
Bunny-Jean wrote:
I am interested too!!!!! how do you bookmark thread???
Nikonian72 wrote:
I have bookmarked this thread, as I want to learn how to use my PSE-10.
I am interested too!!!!! how do you bookmark thread???
Upper left corner, top of thread.
Feb 4, 2012 15:40:24 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Upper left corner, top of thread.
Bunny-Jean wrote:
I am interested too!!!!! how do you bookmark thread???
Nikonian72 wrote:
I have bookmarked this thread, as I want to learn how to use my PSE-10.
I am interested too!!!!! how do you bookmark thread???
Upper left corner, top of thread.
Got it! thank you!
Feb 4, 2012 21:43:09 #
Alas we aren't getting much interest in contributing. BTW there are a few more ways to sharpen in PSE 10. You can sharpen in the Organizer using the Fix, and likewise in the Editor using both Fix and Guided Edit.
So with the abundance of possibilities I'm interested in learning what folks have found best for what types of pics.
One of my little projects is to get a super composite image of the moon. I have found that the emboss idea is very helpful for that purpose. Kelby and Klow.. suggest it for angular objects like buildings. But it works pretty good on the moon. My long term project is going to blend shots over the course of a month.
A second project started today is to see if I can really enhance some pics of a Snowy Owl I took today. He wouldn't let us get closer than about 300 yards and we had to be handheld with a 300 mm. Attached is best I can do so far. I did it by selecting the critter and then using the sharpening filter...I think. Not great but better than what I started with.
So with the abundance of possibilities I'm interested in learning what folks have found best for what types of pics.
One of my little projects is to get a super composite image of the moon. I have found that the emboss idea is very helpful for that purpose. Kelby and Klow.. suggest it for angular objects like buildings. But it works pretty good on the moon. My long term project is going to blend shots over the course of a month.
A second project started today is to see if I can really enhance some pics of a Snowy Owl I took today. He wouldn't let us get closer than about 300 yards and we had to be handheld with a 300 mm. Attached is best I can do so far. I did it by selecting the critter and then using the sharpening filter...I think. Not great but better than what I started with.
Feb 22, 2012 19:35:59 #
Feb 22, 2012 20:12:11 #
Every time you apply a filter in PP, you add noise / distortion to the image. Use as few filters as you can to do the job.
For simple sharpening, I mostly use Unsharp Mask. Then Wavelet Denoise.
For simple sharpening, I mostly use Unsharp Mask. Then Wavelet Denoise.
Feb 22, 2012 21:23:17 #
I use Focus Magic, a PSE friendly plug in. Google it and give it a try.
Let me know what you think,
Eric
Let me know what you think,
Eric
Feb 22, 2012 23:57:35 #
I've used various methods of sharpening and for me the easiest and least troublesome method is by using the High Pass filter.
1) first duplicate your image to another layer.
2) change blend mode of the duplicate layer to Overlay. Right away, this will make your image look really contrasty and oversaturated but that's ok for now.
3) next, put on a high pass filter and the image returned to "normal".
4) Adjust the filter strength for levels of sharpness desired. Different for different type of images. Generally for pictures with people or portraits, I don't exceed 3 or else it starts to look a little cartoonish. For landscapes, you can turn it up a bit more.
Unsharp mask and Smart sharpening also work well but involves a few more sliders. They offer more control but also increase complexity of the process.
1) first duplicate your image to another layer.
2) change blend mode of the duplicate layer to Overlay. Right away, this will make your image look really contrasty and oversaturated but that's ok for now.
3) next, put on a high pass filter and the image returned to "normal".
4) Adjust the filter strength for levels of sharpness desired. Different for different type of images. Generally for pictures with people or portraits, I don't exceed 3 or else it starts to look a little cartoonish. For landscapes, you can turn it up a bit more.
Unsharp mask and Smart sharpening also work well but involves a few more sliders. They offer more control but also increase complexity of the process.
Feb 23, 2012 09:57:39 #
Thanks!
I too have found how to use the high pass filter. Perhaps from Kelby and Kloskowski's books.
Do you have thoughts on what type of photos it is likely to work best on?
What do you think of the quick sharpening available in the Organizer, on the Enhance menu, in the Quick fix in the Editor, or in the Guided edit? They are generally more like one clickers.
Do you have
I too have found how to use the high pass filter. Perhaps from Kelby and Kloskowski's books.
Do you have thoughts on what type of photos it is likely to work best on?
What do you think of the quick sharpening available in the Organizer, on the Enhance menu, in the Quick fix in the Editor, or in the Guided edit? They are generally more like one clickers.
Do you have
Bruinista wrote:
I've used various methods of sharpening and for me... (show quote)
Feb 23, 2012 10:21:10 #
docrob
Loc: Durango, Colorado
MtnMan wrote:
My hope is to stimulate a discussion to help each ... (show quote)
7) burning
8) using other filters AND good blending (opps does PE10 have blending)
Feb 23, 2012 10:38:17 #
How does burning work to sharpen?
Do you have suggestions on when to use it vs. the other methods?
Yes, PSE 10 at least has many blending modes. How do they help sharpen?
Which filters do you have in mind for sharpening? I find the PSE filter menu difficult to keep straight in my head due to seemingly strange grouping and categorizing of filters. I don't see that it has a "sharpen" choice but it does have "High pass" under "Other" and "Emboss" under "Sylize", both of which I have learned can be used with layers (and blending) to sharpen edges.
Do you have suggestions on when to use it vs. the other methods?
Yes, PSE 10 at least has many blending modes. How do they help sharpen?
Which filters do you have in mind for sharpening? I find the PSE filter menu difficult to keep straight in my head due to seemingly strange grouping and categorizing of filters. I don't see that it has a "sharpen" choice but it does have "High pass" under "Other" and "Emboss" under "Sylize", both of which I have learned can be used with layers (and blending) to sharpen edges.
docrob wrote:
quote=MtnMan My hope is to stimulate a discussion... (show quote)
Feb 23, 2012 10:47:40 #
docrob
Loc: Durango, Colorado
[quote=MtnMan]How does burning work to sharpen?
Do you have suggestions on when to use it vs. the other methods?
Yes, PSE 10 at least has many blending modes. How do they help sharpen?
1)Burning/dodging/saturation tool will give the image an appearance of greater sharpness because by subtly changing the contrast between too subjects (burning/doding) will give the image a look of greater sharpness. (Less is more) I realize this reads like a Mitt Romney slogan or maybe like a section of Obama's theology - but it does work - try it.
Blending modes: I use Normal, Color Dodge, Linear Dodge, Color Burn, Linear Burn, Soft light, Hard Light, Vivid Light and maybe one or two more.....again Less is more.
Play......and probably find the blending modes you like for different subjects.
Do you have suggestions on when to use it vs. the other methods?
Yes, PSE 10 at least has many blending modes. How do they help sharpen?
1)Burning/dodging/saturation tool will give the image an appearance of greater sharpness because by subtly changing the contrast between too subjects (burning/doding) will give the image a look of greater sharpness. (Less is more) I realize this reads like a Mitt Romney slogan or maybe like a section of Obama's theology - but it does work - try it.
Blending modes: I use Normal, Color Dodge, Linear Dodge, Color Burn, Linear Burn, Soft light, Hard Light, Vivid Light and maybe one or two more.....again Less is more.
Play......and probably find the blending modes you like for different subjects.
Feb 23, 2012 11:03:30 #
LOL. I like the comparison.
I have been playing with the blending modes but hadn't thought of them in terms of sharpening. I'll check it out.
I have so far been trying to follow instructions and use sharpening as the last step in the workflow except when I am working a RAW image in which case I do the sharpening in ACR, which in PSE necessarily comes up before you go to the Editor.
Then there is noise reduction...
I have been playing with the blending modes but hadn't thought of them in terms of sharpening. I'll check it out.
I have so far been trying to follow instructions and use sharpening as the last step in the workflow except when I am working a RAW image in which case I do the sharpening in ACR, which in PSE necessarily comes up before you go to the Editor.
Then there is noise reduction...
docrob wrote:
br 1)Burning/dodging/saturation tool will give th... (show quote)
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