How sharp is tack sharp?
Jan 30, 2015 10:07:02 #
eggiecom
Loc: North Carolina
I am back to photography after a loooong absence. Anyway, I used to judge sharpness with my eyes. If the print was sharp where I wanted it to be, that was that!
Now I have this screen and zoom button that allows me to check a picture on the fly and delete it if it's a mess. But I'm confused. This sucker can enlarge the photo until I can see pixels. So, where do I stop? I know it sounds stupid, but how sharp is tack sharp?
I can post a picture I think works, but I'm new here. I believe I have to ask permission first?
Thanks!
Now I have this screen and zoom button that allows me to check a picture on the fly and delete it if it's a mess. But I'm confused. This sucker can enlarge the photo until I can see pixels. So, where do I stop? I know it sounds stupid, but how sharp is tack sharp?
I can post a picture I think works, but I'm new here. I believe I have to ask permission first?
Thanks!
Jan 30, 2015 10:11:22 #
eggiecom wrote:
I am back to photography after a loooong absence. ... (show quote)
Permission? Only from yourself. Read the "Rules" if in doubt of what's expected. Current size limit is 20 mbs, I believe.
If you can post a topic, you may also post pictures.
Jan 30, 2015 10:13:44 #
gregm
Loc: Near Sacramento, CA
looking forward to your photo... I have a similar question so I'm interested in everyone's take on the subject.
Jan 30, 2015 10:15:08 #
eggiecom
Loc: North Carolina
Scoutman wrote:
Permission? Only from yourself. Read the "Rules" if in doubt of what's expected. Current size limit is 20 mbs, I believe.
If you can post a topic, you may also post pictures.
If you can post a topic, you may also post pictures.
Thank you! I will do that.
Jan 30, 2015 10:17:11 #
Old Timer
Loc: Greenfield, In.
I usually magnify 200% and and if still reasonably sharp I go ahead pp it. I you are going to crop you need an extra sharp photo. I found that this works for me. I you are not going to crop you do not have to be as particular. This is where a tripod comes in especially in poor light or at a distance.
Jan 30, 2015 10:18:36 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
eggiecom wrote:
I am back to photography after a loooong absence. ... (show quote)
If it looks sharp enough to you, either on your monitor or a print, it is sharp enough. :) (I think most of us fuss too much over this, myself included!)
Jan 30, 2015 10:20:26 #
Jan 30, 2015 10:20:54 #
peterg
Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
Perhaps, when the photo is published, the photo looks "tack sharp" when viewed at a normal viewing distance. Subjective? Of course. "Published" could mean via print or other means at the intended size. Again subjective. Somewhere I read that the normal viewing minimum distance is about 1 1/2 times the photo's diagonal. Perhaps, it's tack sharp when you are satisfied that you don't want it any sharper.
Trivia: I wonder why folks publish small photos in a lens review. Viewing a 4x6" web page image on my laptop doesn't represent the sharpness of anything.
Trivia: I wonder why folks publish small photos in a lens review. Viewing a 4x6" web page image on my laptop doesn't represent the sharpness of anything.
Jan 30, 2015 10:25:28 #
eggiecom
Loc: North Carolina
gregm wrote:
looking forward to your photo... I have a similar question so I'm interested in everyone's take on the subject.
Well, here it is! I love the little "starlets" in the center of the flower, but are they sharp enough?
I re-uploaded the image further down in the thread. Something got list in translation. Thanks for your patience with this newbie! :-)
Jan 30, 2015 10:27:36 #
It's hard to tell, unless you select include original when you upload the file...see my link above.
Jan 30, 2015 10:27:54 #
eggiecom wrote:
I am back to photography after a loooong absence. ... (show quote)
It can be difficult to determine the sharpnes of a picture from the screen on camera. Unless it is obviously out of focus, as in I can see the background is sharper than the subject, I keep them unitl I can check at home after download.
Jan 30, 2015 10:29:34 #
eggiecom wrote:
I am back to photography after a loooong absence. ... (show quote)
Everyone's eyes see things differently. However, view the image at 100% (this option is usually a standard in most software) and if it looks sharp to you, it probably is.
Jan 30, 2015 10:31:22 #
jeryh
Loc: Oxfordshire UK
I have been a photographer for 60 odd years; one day, I went to see a pro wedding photog; I wanted to get his opinion on some shots i had taken; well, said he, they are OK, but... they aren't sharp ! So, I was really surprised, and said so. OK he said, come with me, and I'll show you.
He produced one of his specimen folders he produced for clents; well, they blew me away, I mean completely. They were so sharp, you could have done yourself serious injury ! After that, he siad, all you have to do is concentrate on your subject; the results will speak for themselves - you will know when sharp is sharp ! Hope this helps
He produced one of his specimen folders he produced for clents; well, they blew me away, I mean completely. They were so sharp, you could have done yourself serious injury ! After that, he siad, all you have to do is concentrate on your subject; the results will speak for themselves - you will know when sharp is sharp ! Hope this helps
Jan 30, 2015 10:31:48 #
on the other hand , when is a picture too sharp , at time i look at a photo , and it looks unnaturally sharp , almost phony ????
Jan 30, 2015 10:32:15 #
eggiecom
Loc: North Carolina
Cdouthitt wrote:
It's hard to tell, unless you select include original when you upload the file...see my link above.
Let me try that upload again. Something got lost in translation.
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