What can I do to sharpen this image
Jun 6, 2019 15:53:17 #
On a recent safari to southern Africa, I was shooting with my Oly EM1 Mk2 and a 300 mm F4 prime. We came across this female lion carrying one of her Kittens. Normally I would discard any photo that is not crisp on a 1x magnification but I really like this shot and would like to keep it if I can sharpen it. Please feel free to manipulate it in any way that helps.
Jun 6, 2019 16:07:33 #
What kind of post processing program do you have? If Photoshop try smart sharpen from the filter menu. 200% radius 1 to start, reduce noise 15%
Jun 6, 2019 16:45:39 #
Jun 6, 2019 18:43:47 #
I used the "Unsharp Mask" tool located under "Filters" in Photoshop to add some sharpness. Nice shot!
Jun 6, 2019 18:48:26 #
This is such a special image, well worth all attempts to make it the best it can be. Sony's is a very nice improvement; I'm interested to see it compared to smart sharpen and other advice that might be forthcoming. Thanks for posting, AFPhoto!
Jun 6, 2019 18:55:27 #
Thanks Linda. I really don't want to throw this one out. There is something about the relationship between the mother and baby that I think is universal and comes out in this image. Also, I have PS, which I don't use, and I am anxious to learn what I can accomplish by using it.
Jun 7, 2019 05:37:31 #
It's not too bad, it seems the focus is on the grass, I am sure you will soon get some good advice. l will try to improve it later when I get back if that's OK with you.
Jun 7, 2019 06:18:03 #
johneccles wrote:
It's not too bad, it seems the focus is on the grass, I am sure you will soon get some good advice. l will try to improve it later when I get back if that's OK with you.
Thanks John and please feel free to manipulate it in any way you want
Jun 7, 2019 07:14:21 #
AFPhoto wrote:
On a recent safari to southern Africa, I was shooting with my Oly EM1 Mk2 and a 300 mm F4 prime. We came across this female lion carrying one of her Kittens. Normally I would discard any photo that is not crisp on a 1x magnification but I really like this shot and would like to keep it if I can sharpen it. Please feel free to manipulate it in any way that helps.
IF I feel the need to sharpen a pic I first decide what has caused the blur - because different reasons for blur sharpen up better with different methods.
I prefer your slightly softer pic to Sony's sharpened version, which I feel is perhaps over-sharpened, giving a "hard" effect.
The reason that I prefer (like) the softer pic is that it is in keeping with the softness and gentleness of the subject.
I believe too much is made of sharpness - yes, sharp is good, but soft can also be good - e.g. portraits?
Jun 7, 2019 07:22:26 #
Delderby wrote:
IF I feel the need to sharpen a pic I first decide... (show quote)
Good point. Not every image needs to be razor sharp....
Jun 7, 2019 07:30:34 #
Delderby wrote:
IF I feel the need to sharpen a pic I first decide... (show quote)
Excellent point that I had not considered. I got carried away with my post processing work flow (going through more than 5000 images from the safari) my automation called for deleting (from LR) any image that wasn't in focus at 2x mag. But when I saw this one I just could not eliminate it from the LR mix. Also, I think in retrospect that the focus was captured by a bit of grass. Hard to tell because the jeep we were in was moving and bumpy.
Jun 7, 2019 07:47:24 #
AFPhoto wrote:
On a recent safari to southern Africa, I was shooting with my Oly EM1 Mk2 and a 300 mm F4 prime. We came across this female lion carrying one of her Kittens. Normally I would discard any photo that is not crisp on a 1x magnification but I really like this shot and would like to keep it if I can sharpen it. Please feel free to manipulate it in any way that helps.
My thought is that you would be best off not to attempt to do too much global sharpening, but rather focus on the mother's eye and the cub, which can be sharpened without getting too weird looking. I tried it with unsharpen mask at a radius of 50 in order to increase the global contrast, followed by a little selective sharpening of the eye and the kitten's muzzle.
Jun 7, 2019 08:06:11 #
fergmark wrote:
My thought is that you would be best off not to attempt to do too much global sharpening, but rather focus on the mother's eye and the cub, which can be sharpened without getting too weird looking. I tried it with unsharpen mask at a radius of 50 in order to increase the global contrast, followed by a little selective sharpening of the eye and the kitten's muzzle.
Thank you Fergmark. I am amazed at the many different approaches to dealing with this picture. I like what you have done.
Jun 7, 2019 08:06:46 #
AFPhoto wrote:
Excellent point that I had not considered. I got carried away with my post processing work flow (going through more than 5000 images from the safari) my automation called for deleting (from LR) any image that wasn't in focus at 2x mag. But when I saw this one I just could not eliminate it from the LR mix. Also, I think in retrospect that the focus was captured by a bit of grass. Hard to tell because the jeep we were in was moving and bumpy.
Hope to see a few more pics of your safari when you get the chance. I see you had a practise at the zoo before you travelled - great idea!
Jun 7, 2019 08:10:41 #
The simple sharpen tool will work globally, then use an unsharpen tool with a small brush and de-sharpen the grass so it does not draw the eye so much, just a thought?
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