how do i get highest qualiy images from FastStone viewer

[qaz]

hi

id like to get how do i get the highest possible quality images from FastStone image viewer.

i simply don't have the time, before pix must be submitted in a couple of days, to learn another program so im stuck with this one.

i need to convert large raw files [cannon D40] to best quality images as they are going to be printed at a large size, the printer wants them in pdf format which i will batch convert to. plus i will need them later for printing on photo paper at A3 size

also i have not sharpened them in the camera [set to 0] how much should i let faststone sharpen without going overboard like so many

Am i correct in thinking that a RAW file can not be sharpened in camera?

file size and time taken is not an issue

using latest version of faststone viewer

thanks if anyone can help

[chauncey]

RAW files have nothing done to them in camera...aah, have you ever done any post processing?
Your camera came with an adequate version of PP software...there is no shortcut to using any PP software.

[Shadowman]

You can apply sharpening during the RAW conversion to final format. What program are you using to convert?

Batch sharpening is a personal choice, some photos may need additional sharpening more than others. What are the subjects, where are the photos taken, does your camera settings change during the shoot?

[Saorsa]

Open the raw image full frame in FastStone. You may need to download the latest codec from your camera maker if this isn'e possible.

Move your cursor to the left side of the image and an edit menu will popout. You can sharpen, do a bit of manipulation, etc. then do "save as" and select options bottom right and set jpeg to 100%. It might stop at 98 or some other high number.

add a modifier to the filename or change it completely. It won't make any changes to your raw file but will produce a jpeg from it.


Then, do a save as

[dje]

Hi qaz

As wm says, you would have received Canon's DPP with the camera and this is probably your best bet if you still have the software. You could probably update it to the latest version.

You can use FastStone viewer to convert raw files but to do this, make sure you go into Settings, select the RAW tab, and select "View RAW File" and "Batch convert RAW files" as "Actual Size(slow)". This ensures you are working with the RAW file itself rather than the embedded jpeg. I'd also select "High Quality Interpolation" and "Use Camera WB" on this screen.

Dave

[qaz]

Hi qaz

As wm says, you would have received Canon's DPP with the camera and this is probably your best bet if you still have the software. You could probably update it to the latest version.



You can use FastStone viewer to convert raw files but to do this, make sure you go into Settings, select the RAW tab, and select "View RAW File" and "Batch convert RAW files" as "Actual Size(slow)". This ensures you are working with the RAW file itself rather than the embedded jpeg. I'd also select "High Quality Interpolation" and "Use Camera WB" on this screen.

Dave

dje

i am learning capture one 7, but not now or here.

if i do as u suggested which is working with raw files is any sharpening i do applied to the raw file, or is it applied to what to whatever i convert the raw file to, such as tiff or jpeg. i ask this cause i understand that a raw file id just data and not actually viewable unless its converted

this poses another question: should i use usm or sharpening [which i presume is pixel sharpening

i use faststone to convert raw

thanks

[dje]

qaz I would use "usm sharpen" rather than "sharpen" because with usm sharpen, you can select the pixel radius. The sharpening (and any other editing) is applied to the raster image displayed on the screen (which is produced by the raw conversion). When you save as, you can select a format such as jpeg or tiff but you can't over-write the original raw file. So the raw file remains unchanged and the edited version is saved as a jpeg or whatever format you choose.

Dave

[qaz]

qaz I would use "usm sharpen" rather than "sharpen" because with usm sharpen, you can select the pixel radius. The sharpening (and any other editing) is applied to the raster image displayed on the screen (which is produced by the raw conversion). When you save as, you can select a format such as jpeg or tiff but you can't over-write the original raw file. So the raw file remains unchanged and the edited version is saved as a jpeg or whatever format you choose.

Dave

thanks Dave, that explains it all, was very helpful
mark

[Manfred M]

Two things to consider when sharpening:

1. View your image at 100% size (based on your final output) and sharpen based on that size only. If you don't do this, you will either over or under sharpen. This means you will likely have to work on a part of the image, so if it is a portrait, work with the eyes, if it is a landscape, pick leaves or some other detailed area;

2. Try a test print, as you might want to tweak your print for more or less sharpness, depending on the paper it is being printed on. Matt or some art papers tend to result in softer image and may need a bit more sharpening while lustre and glossier papers might need a touch less. This is going to be very printer / paper specific.

[qaz]

Two things to consider when sharpening:

1. View your image at 100% size (based on your final output) and sharpen based on that size only. If you don't do this, you will either over or under sharpen. This means you will likely have to work on a part of the image, so if it is a portrait, work with the eyes, if it is a landscape, pick leaves or some other detailed area;

2. Try a test print, as you might want to tweak your print for more or less sharpness, depending on the paper it is being printed on. Matt or some art papers tend to result in softer image and may need a bit more sharpening while lustre and glossier papers might need a touch less. This is going to be very printer / paper specific.

an u pls explain "View your image at 100% size (based on your final output) and sharpen based on that size "
.is 100pc the original size? i assume so. and i assume u mean to sharpen the image while its enlarged to the same size as it will be reproduced at

thanks

[Manfred M]

an u pls explain "View your image at 100% size (based on your final output) and sharpen based on that size "
.is 100pc the original size? i assume so. and i assume u mean to sharpen the image while its enlarged to the same size as it will be reproduced at

thanks

You should be viewing the image at 100%, based on final output. You say that the image has to be A3 size (and I assume 300 ppi for printing), so resize your image to that size and set your viewer to show it at that size. A screen is far smaller and has lower resolution than the final print, so you will only be able to see part of the image, so pick an appropriate part of the image and sharpen that so that it looks properly sharpened at output size.

[dje]

Mark with FS Viewer, if you drag your mouse down over the bottom of the screen, you will get a small navigator box which has a choice of Fit, 100%, 200% and 300%. Select 100% and this gives a 100% view which simply means you are viewing without any upscaling or downscaling ie each pixel on the screen corresponds to one pixel in the image file.

Dave

[xpatUSA]

hi

id like to get how do i get the highest possible quality images from FastStone image viewer.

thanks if anyone can help

hello @qaz,

if u want the 'highest possible' quality images its a good thing to have a color picker and a white balance button. my version 4.6 has neither one, hope yours does

my version also does not put a ICC color profile in the image file when saving as which can be a problem in color management

good luck

[qaz]

You should be viewing the image at 100%, based on final output. You say that the image has to be A3 size (and I assume 300 ppi for printing), so resize your image to that size and set your viewer to show it at that size. A screen is far smaller and has lower resolution than the final print, so you will only be able to see part of the image, so pick an appropriate part of the image and sharpen that so that it looks properly sharpened at output size.

this is all very helpful ,

do any of u know how in Faststone, to re-size the image [for sharpening] to A3 as the options are to view at percentages only, or is there a way to resize to 300 ppi ?

Also i was assuming that for usm sharpen the pixel radius setting is somewhere in settings, but i cant find it, how it got one.
-------------------

i came across this article at http://dpbestflow.org/image-editing/sharpening, it says:

"When judging sharpening for print, the image should be viewed at 50% or even 25% (if is a very large image), and not at 100%. Viewing at 50% gives a much better approximation of the actual effect of the sharpening whereas the 100% view will be largely misleading."

i am not doubting anyone here , but more likely i dont fully understand what this article is saying, i cant figure why he would say that 100% is misleading.

can anyone clarify this for me please?

[Saorsa]

Use the left side menu resize/resample and you can go to the bottom set of selections to select print size and dpi.

Quick Resize below it is much more limited.

[qaz]

got it, thanks.

now i need to get some views on the other sharpening size advice that im having trouble grasping [2 up]

[xpatUSA]

Also i was assuming that for usm sharpen the pixel radius setting is somewhere in settings, but i cant find it, how it got one.

u mouse to the left of the image and click on sharpen/blur it comes up with a box u see 3 buttons - sharpen, usm, blur

click on usm and it shows a slider for radius which u can adjust

is the shift keys on your keyboard broken

[dje]

got it, thanks.

now i need to get some views on the other sharpening size advice that im having trouble grasping [2 up]

Sorry can't help with the printing side of things. Trial and error perhaps ?

Dave

[qaz]

u mouse to the left of the image and click on sharpen/blur it comes up with a box u see 3 buttons - sharpen, usm, blur

click on usm and it shows a slider for radius which u can adjust

is the shift keys on your keyboard broken

that wasnt what i was after, its the other stuff in the post . i should have said
ta