Sharpening using High Pass Filter

[gary payne]

<p>I post process with Nikon NX2 exclusively, and I have struggled to understand and apply sharpening to my images. I have used Unsharp Mask with some success. As I understand it, sharpening seems to be an art, working well on some images, but has no, or even a negative impact on others. I recently read about using High Pass Filter as a sharpening tool, and on some images I find it seems to work quite well, while on others - no.<br>

My questions is in two parts (1) Do you routinely use high pass filter for sharpening and if so, on what type images? (2) if you do use high pass for sharpening, do you also use Unsharp Mask on the same image? Finally, any insights into sharpening you care to share will be greatly appreciated.</p>

[digitaldog]

<p>Start here: <br>

http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/20357.html <br>

Its not just about what "filter" or combo of filters you use. Its about targeting the sharpening for the task at hand, and doing so with flexibility. </p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>Quite commonly, I find myself (in NX2, for example), using different sharpening methods - and different combinations of them - in different <em>areas</em> of the image. I rarely apply one method/pass of sharpening to the entire image. It really does come down to what you're trying to accomplish, what the output is going to be, and so many other variables.<br /><br />Use NX2's very powerful masking features to let you apply the right flavor of sharpening to the areas that need it. Then you can adjust the opacity of that adjustment step (and the parameters of the particular sharpening method you've chosen) to fine tune the results. Be sure you're looking at the image at 100% when you do this, or you'll never see what you're really doing to it.</p>

[patricklavoie]

<p>1_i dont use High pass anymore or only on rare occasion as i find the new S,art Sharpen is wayyyy more effective and precise. Give a better sharpen to the finest details. I find High Pass a good *old* technique that i use to do before something better was out ; )</p>

<p>2_I never use USM for sharpening, but use to use it for local contrast enhencement by using let say 20 and 20 in the amount and radius box.. now that Lightroom and ACR have a Clarity filter.. i rarely use it.</p>

<p>have a look at this old thread about Smart Sharpen result...<br>

http://www.photo.net/digital-darkroom-forum/00VMv9</p>

[KenPapai]

<p>What Patrick said, *exactly*, on both of his points.</p>

<p>(However I usually use USM around radius 70 px with amounts between 20 and 30% [and threshold of 0 or 1] when the image calls for it... the 5.x ACR Clarity filter doesn't have the power of this fat USM filter)</p>