Rongnongno Loc: FL

Noise: Sensor issue - Newer sensor are getting much better at it. Sharpening enhances it too.
Detail: Lens issue (and photographer's focusing choice)
AA Filter: Sensor issue - FAST disappearing in newer cameras.
Bayer's sensor issues are being dealt with IN CAMERA, during the analog to digital process. This process is getting better and better as is the creation of in camera JPGs, a format that despite its shortcoming is showing great strides toward quality.

You may want to update your information.

Were I not being able to present samples this would be all theory. Since I can improve almost any image with this method, it is not.

As said several times the raw apparent softness issue does not lie with sharpness but lack of local contrast which is tied to luminosity.

So please do explain why the image appears sharper after using a luminosity tweak instead of sharpening.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

If I reduce noise using Luminosity, I may sharpen things a bit for balance. Reducing noise seems to soften things a bit. Have to zoom in to 200% to see the effects, they're subtle.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Noise can be corrected using careful selection w/o softening of an image. Long ago I posted about this.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I disagree. raw files all need sharpening. ALL of them. But to each his own. If you don't want to sharpen, then don't. If the rest of you people want to do the same. Fine. I'll sharpen all of mine.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

If you don't want to try a new technique why even bother to post a reply.... if your happy with your output move on and maybe diss Chris a little. Ron is just offering another technique. I can recall a long ago post by Ron based on the clarity slider which made sense.

Barbcity Loc: Berkeley, California

In adobe Lightroom and adobe camera raw there is a default sharpening of 25, not zero, for all raw images. Probably also a default sharpening for Nikon, Canon, Sony etc software too.

Barbcity Loc: Berkeley, California

In adobe Lightroom and adobe camera raw there is a default sharpening of 25, not zero, for all raw images. Probably also a default sharpening for Nikon, Canon, Sony etc software too.

Photowiz

Photowiz

What’s a level layer?

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

That may be good for one pic, but every pic need its own adjustments! You don't have layers in ACR!

blackest Loc: Ireland

Don't you wish there wasn't? What is sharpening anyway other than an increased contrast between pixels make the dark side darker and the lightside lighter and it looks sharper. should everything be sharp? not really things with a definite edge sure but you wouldn't want a sharp cloud, even sharp edgy things like mountains several miles away should be a tad fuzzy and you don't want to over do edges either so it looks like its got a halo.

really sharpening is increasing local contrast where it is appropriate, clarity is mostly midtone contrast so will make things look sharper but maybe it needs to be applied selectively.

photohelp

I would approach the issue differently. First, how the image will be used must be considered. Snapshots to be shown on a camera, tablet, web site, or small computer monitor generally do not need much sharpening outside the camera when taken by modern cameras with image stabilization and decent technique whether taken in RAW or jpeg. However, if the image is to be shown on a 4k TV, a high quality 30" monitor, or a larger print, then it must be reasonable sharp for most people's taste and tack sharp for pixel pushers. Second, if you are shooting in RAW, then you are already going through post processing, like with Adobe Camera Raw (ADR), and expect a higher quality image. I submit that no one shooting handheld can get all images perfectly sharp. Maybe the speed is too low because of low light, or the AF is not perfect, or the picture was rushed to capture the moment. Sometimes, those are the best images for composition or light. Sharpening in ADR is not only easy but is very effective. In addition, the luminosity feature in the sharpening tool can compensate for noise when the ISO was too high. I check every keeper photo at 100% and if it is not tack sharp, I use one or more of the tools in ADR to improve it, rather than the tools in Photoshop. Clarity and contrast can make small corrections, while under the sharpening section, Amount, Radius, Detail and Masking provide a wide range of tools which then need to be balanced with the Noise Reduction section of Luminance and Luminance Detail (I rarely find it necessary to use the other three). This generally takes me between 15 seconds and a minute, which is a small price to pay to get images that will look good regardless of how they are cropped or displayed. Of course, there is always the risk of over sharpening but being conservative and, when in doubt, checking at 200% can prevent that.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

I adjust all of my DNG images based on what appeals to me, and what sells to my Clients. That ALWAYS includes sharpening.

RRS Loc: Not sure

I agree, as to how the file is to be used. When printing on canvas or art paper I sharpen because of the loose due to the texture. Another thing to consider is what is the sharpening set to in the camera. I have people that shoot with max sharpness set to #7 and I have mine set to #0. Other people when asked about in camera settings for sharpening don't have any idea about what I'm talking about. In PP I use Topaz DE Noise if needed and the last thing I do is to sharpen. I use ACR and a High Pass filter and adjust the sliders after all the parameters have been set. I will play with Ron's suggestion to add another "club" to my golf bag or whatever you call yours.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

More than anything, I rely on good quality lenses and have them checked, adjusted, calibrated to produce a sharp image at their supposed focus point.
--Bob