bleirer

I'm pretty familiar with sharpening and the theory and methods, and have read a lot of the background websites, but I was wondering what your go-to method is and particularly why, especially for output sharpening. I have my own thoughts on the subject and usually use smart sharpen in Photoshop for several reasons, but others seem to swear by unsharp mask while others go for high pass. Is your choice of methods situational? What situations? Do you have science to inform your choice or is it just personal preference/hard won experience?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I just use the sharpening slider in my RAW editor, stopping when it looks the best.
Keeps things real simple.
Personal preference.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

This could be a good discussion. As you, I typically create a layer, make it into a smart object (don't know why but something I read made that suggestion) then use smart sharpen to taste. I will often use a mask on that layer to take the sharpening away from parts of the image I do not want affected.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

The most important factors IMHO are to shoot raw and get it sharp in the camera. jpg images are sharpened in the camera. If you don't like it, it's too late. If the raw file is sharp in the camera to begin with then sharpening in LR is all you need to improve your image, but it is important to use the alt+mask, alt+detail, and alt+radius as well as the sharpening slider to get it right. Noise reduction and sharpening fight each other, so they should be done together. If I screwed up and the image is a touch soft, but I want to try and save it, I use Topaz Sharpen AI, which usually works. Again, don't accept the defaults try a few different settings for "remove blur", "suppress noise", and "add grain". If I'm editing in PS there are like 6 different sharpening methods, pick your poison. I do like to roll my own though by using a high pass filter to see the "edges" I want to sharpen then add it back into the original image.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

No science in my approach. I do output sharpen last, of course, which could be the only science involved for me. Mostly based on intent and experience. I use LR and use the sharpen tools in LR and, often, that will suffice, depending on the image. I'll also use the LR brush tool to sharpen selectively. I like to shoot flowers and I like to isolate subjects whenever possible and I process different sections of images in different ways, including sharpening. If I want a portion, or sometimes but not often, the whole thing sharper I'll pop it into PS and use the High Pass over the entire image. Other times, and most often, I use a mask and use the High Pass sharpen only for portions of the image. I'll either use the lasso tool, create a copy, and sharpen that or I'll create a mask and then erase what I don't want the sharpen on. It's easy in PS, I think, to over sharpen so I watch for that; I may use the Opacity slider to cut back on the sharpening. I just look at the end result and see if that is what I want for that particular image. Sometimes I'll just use the sharpen tool itself if the portion I want to sharpen is very small. That tool will oversharpen quickly so I use a lower number, maybe around 25. I consider photography an art that includes science so I try to balance the two.

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

This is how I do it on FastStone Image Viewer/Editor...

(Download)


(Download)

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Look at the work and writings of Jeff Schewe - Photoshop Visionary . . .

User ID

Sharpening is always risky. But I
use it constantly. Therefor careful
selection of verrry limited defined
areas in which to apply it is, for
me, the most important element.

VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha

I create a new layer and apply the High Pass Filter. Rarely use the sharpening feature of PS.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Topaz Labs has a Ai Sharpening.
https://topazlabs.com/sharpen-ai/

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Lab color then sharpening and always the last step during editing.

bleirer

Do you switch to LAB just for sharpening then back again? What sharpening method or does it matter to you?

khorinek

I use High Pass Sharpening in Corel Paintshop Pro and/or Lightroom. My settings are, radius - 7, strength - 70, blend mode - hard light. Blend mode depends on the photo, if the photos were taken inside and are of faces and/or groups of people I will use a soft light.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I use LR and a combination of contrast, clarity, texture and sharpening.

riffmax

Paint Shop Pro, a light unsharp mask. If specific areas need a touch more, I use the sharpening tool, but am watchful not to overdo it.