3 step sharpening

[patricklavoie]

Heres a quick recipe about how i do my sharpening. It is well explain in the last book from Bruce Fraser call

Real World Image Sharpening with Adobe Photoshop CS2 by Bruce Fraser. I also have writen a small tutorial for a

magazine in english and french..fgeel free to ask it..its free.

 

1_ Capture Sharpening is applied early in the image-editing process, and just aims to restore any sharpness that

was lost in the capture process.

 

2_ Creative Sharpening is usually applied locally to accentuate specific features in an image-for example, we

often give eyes a little extra sharpness in head shots.

 

3_ Output Sharpening is applied to files that have already had capture and creative sharpening applied, after

they've been sized to final output resolution, and is tailored to a specific type of output process.

[ellis_vener_photography]

If you want to automate the process check out the Pixel Genius Photoshop plug-in PhotoKit Sharpener from http://www.pixelgenius.com . The late (and sorely missed) Bruce Fraser created the Photokit sharpener with input from other members of the PixelGenius crew.

 

If you are using Lightroom there are two capture sharpening presets , based on the Photokit Sharpener, that are options in the Develop Module. When you either export or print directly from Lightroom you also have the option of applying a rather simplified output sharpener targeted to the size, resolution and type of output.

[Brad_]

>>> If you are using Lightroom there are two capture sharpening presets , based on the Photokit Sharpener, that are

options in the Develop Module. When you either export or print directly from Lightroom you also have the option of applying

a rather simplified output sharpener targeted to the size, resolution and type of output.

 

I'm really impressed how well LR sharpening works. The designers did a great job abstracting out the complexity...

[ericf1]

Ellis,

 

When using LR2 print sharpening do you generally click on the Print Resolution box, or allow the file to print at its native resolution? I have found that the print shaprening in LR2 to produce less than desirable results when printing a small image 4x6 from a high res file. It appeared oversharpened even at the low print sharpening setting I did not click the Print Resolution box to force a specific resolution and in a previous thread it was suggested that may have been the issue.

 

I had a prior post that raised this follow-up question, but it had fallen down in the list and didn't get the feedback. Sorry for hijacking the thread Patrick.

 

Regards,

 

Eric

 

 

 

 

At the risk of hijacking Patrick's thread (sorry Patrick)

[Carl Stone]

Here's another that works very well.

 

<http://www.outbackphoto.com/filters/dopf005_detail_extractor/DOP_DetailExtractor.html>

[Carl Stone]

That didn't work, let me try again.

 

http://www.outbackphoto.com/filters/dopf005_detail_extractor/DOP_DetailExtractor.html

[patricklavoie]

No problem Eric, if that coudl help you : )

 

I would use the low sharpen in Lr 2, or simply turn it OFF (what i do) and do a better one in the sharpen menu.

 

_____

 

Since Ps have already a good way of making a sharpen, call Smart Sharpen, i have a hard time spending $ to get something else to do it. The bad things is those external plugin dont just cost 50$ but some hundred $..that i find ridiculous since you can do it directly in CS, with the rigth knowlege, the exact same result.

 

I have create a french and english tutorial for a magazine, if any one would like to get is hand on it, just ask by email..its free : )

 

then you decide if you really need to invest more $ to get your file *sharper*

[Carl Stone]

Patrick, if you still have my email address, please send me that article along with the actions that you mentioned in another

thread. TIA :o)

[patricklavoie]

done : )

[ellis_vener_photography]

Eric,

Simply put: I rarely print directly from Lightroom so I am not qualified to answer your question. I currently print through Photoshop CS3 .

[jim_mcdonald3]

Hello Patrick

Thank you for your informative posts (as ever). For finacial reasons, I am still using DPP and PS7 to process my 40D RAW files. I apply a little capture sharpening - usually at level 2 but this is arbitrary. I am starting to try a little creative sharpening followed obviously by output sharpening. For these, I use USM and assume I'm limited to that.

I would very much like to read your article please.

 

Jim

[patricklavoie]

Eric, if i may answer for Ellis;

 

1_i set it to 240ppi

 

2_turn OFF the sharpening output, find it too much in any case.

 

3_use the correct paper profile

[patricklavoie]

i would suggest you search for a new method of sharpening call HIGH PASS..i find it superior to USM.

 

Send me a email so i can you the link for the tutorial.

[patricklavoie]

got it..on your way : )

[Carl Stone]

Patrick, I don't know if you've sent me that stuff, but I know I haven't gotten it. Are you sure that you still have my email

address? If are planning to send it later, then please disregard this post. :o)

[jim_mcdonald3]

Thank you Patrick, received!

I don't think High Pass is available in PS7 but I'll remember your advice when I eventually upgrade.

Best wishes.

[patricklavoie]

It should.i remember doing it for a long time ago..look under filter, other, high pass.

 

but first, get some tutorial on how to apply it.

 

___

 

Carl is it zinfella@________?

 

write me one to make sure.

[jim_mcdonald3]

How stupid I am, I apologise.

I'm reading your excellent article even now and realise that you advise against using any sharpening in the

conversion software. So much to learn.....so little time!

Jim

[patricklavoie]

well, at the time of this article, Lr 2 was not out..i still prefer to do it in Ps instead of in the raw software, but i could say that if well done you could do it in Lr2 now..the only thing is i find it a bit difficult for new commer to get the rigth number..vs the simplicity and spectacular result of Smart Sharpen.

[jim_mcdonald3]

I can't speak for others' experience but I use only DPP so will try the capture sharpening in PS7.

Jim

[Carl Stone]

I sent you an email, Patrick.

[patricklavoie]

and you should already have the answer from me : )

[Carl Stone]

Nope, nothing from you in my email.

[Carl Stone]

Thanks, Patrick, I've got them now. :o)

[hal_edmonds]

I remember when being a photog was so easy... All you needed was a great eye, a great camera/lenses and a great lab technician... Reading the posts on PN is somewhat mind boggling...Todays photogs are truly technicians...