I am confused-both of these seem to sharpen images. But sometimes decreasing clarity seems to sharpen and at other times imcreasing it adds a little sharpness. How are the two related?
bedouin wrote:
I am confused-both of these seem to sharpen images. But sometimes decreasing clarity seems to sharpen and at other times imcreasing it adds a little sharpness. How are the two related?
What is your reference (point)? Photoshop? Lightroom? Settings in your camera? Other computer PP Programs?
Edit with Acdsee Ultimate, camera settings-Natural Coloring,A priority, manually set iso, multiple lenses, raw.
Thanks Bill, that was an excellent article you suggested.Now I understand.
Without looking it up and citing references... lazy this morning ... I will explain what I know from Topaz Plugin experience. Here is my understanding:
When using Topaz their Detail plugin is used to sharpening the edges within the image and bring out items not seen distinctly in the beginning image.
Topaz Clarity deals with various levels of contrast allowing one to control the change [increase of decrease] for areas with small differences for areas with medium differences or those areas with already significant differences in contrast. The plugin also allows adjustment of color shade, saturation, luminosity [brightness]. Presently Topaz for their Studio has separated the contrast control and the color control into two separate plugins. Not sure if this answers for PS people, .... I use Topaz as a tunnel to get to the end result vs PS which requires me to climb a mountain both for learning and for each result. [sorry that is a predigest statement... but true]
bedouin wrote:
I am confused-both of these seem to sharpen images. But sometimes decreasing clarity seems to sharpen and at other times imcreasing it adds a little sharpness. How are the two related?
All clarity is doing, is increasing the contrast in the middle tones!
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
bedouin wrote:
I am confused-both of these seem to sharpen images. But sometimes decreasing clarity seems to sharpen and at other times imcreasing it adds a little sharpness. How are the two related?
This may help.
http://www.pixelgenius.com/tips/schewe-sharpening.pdfDifferent adjustments like clarity, using a two pass method with unsharp mask - small radius large amount then large radius small amount, high pass sharpening, third party apps like Nik Dfine etc all affect image contrast and detail at different image frequencies. for close viewing regular old sharpening will likely work fine, for larger images where small details will not be visible at greater distances, medium frequency sharpening, like clarity will really do a nice job.
Thanks. The video is great and opened my understanding!
The article you linked to is insanely advanced and made my head spin.
bedouin wrote:
I am confused-both of these seem to sharpen images. But sometimes decreasing clarity seems to sharpen and at other times increasing it adds a little sharpness. How are the two related?
They aren't related at all. The Sharpen slider sharpens the edges of areas in your image where there's a lot of contrast. The Clarity slider is like the Contrast slider except it's for adding or removing contrast from the middle range tones of the image and the Contrast slider is adjusting the darker and lighter tones of the image.
I use both, in small doses. They are in Photoshop. Sometimes in conjunction with 'Shadow Highlight' controls.
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