Sharpening in Photoshop

[SDChester]

Maybe its my eyes, but I sharpen my images in Photoshop and I can not see any difference when I'm done!

What's the secret, or are the changes that subtle?

[Colin Southern]

Hi SDChester,

I'd suggest using an Unsharp Mask (Filter -> Sharpen -> Unsharp Mask). The results you see depend on the settings you enter.

We've discussed sharpening a bit here, which you might find of interest.

[Geoff F]

As well as the links given by Colin, you may find this series of tutorials useful http://www.ronbigelow.com/articles/s...1/sharpen1.htm

The amount of visible changes caused by sharpening will vary depending on the method used and the amount of added sharpening; which will range between barely noticeable and horrendously oversharpened.

But I am often disappointed with the sharpness of my photos when displayed on the internet. They print fine and although I do everything correctly when resizing for web use, I struggle to achieve consistent sharp and well saturated images on some web sites.

[SDChester]

Colin.
Thanks! I do use Usharp, maybe I'm not sharpening anough?

[Colin Southern]

Colin.
Thanks! I do use Usharp, maybe I'm not sharpening anough?

Without seeing the "problem", who knows

[flipmode]

I normally view at 100%, choose a section of the photo that you can definitely see the USM being applied to (i.e. a model's eye), then apply enough sharpening as needed. Keep in mind the amount of sharpening needed is also relative to the resolution you're working with.

If you tick and untick the sharpening you made, are you not seeing the changes? And at 100% zoom?

[Colin Southern]

I normally view at 100%, choose a section of the photo that you can definitely see the USM being applied to (i.e. a model's eye), then apply enough sharpening as needed.

Hi Chris,

The zoom level really depends on what kind of sharpening you're applying. For capture sharpening at full resolution, 100% zoom is the only way to go - but when it comes to content / creative sharpening with smaller amounts and higher radius then you'll need to have the whole image displayed at once to be able to judge the correct amount.

[flipmode]

Agreed. I actually do both. Just depends on what I'm working with.

[Hansm]

The way I do is as follows:
First I convert the image to LAB mode (Image-> Mode-> LAB).
Then select the Lightness channel only (picture turns into B/W) Apply Unsharp Masking to the Lightness channel only (Filter-> Sharpen -> Unsharp Masking)
and convert back to RGB mode (Image-> Mode-> RGB Mode).
It's maybe an odd way but I work quite often in LAB mode.

[SDChester]

Geoff F,
Thank you! the link was exstreamly helpful. I new nothing of the subject, and was trying to sharpen resolution lost by manification!

[SDChester]

could not get it to work! old photo shop 7

[pono]

I use CS3. I use USM, and I too, have a hard time telling the difference, but when i crank the levels to where I can see the difference, to me, it looks too fake and crappy, for lack of better terms. Any tips?

[Colin Southern]

I use CS3. I use USM, and I too, have a hard time telling the difference, but when i crank the levels to where I can see the difference, to me, it looks too fake and crappy, for lack of better terms. Any tips?

I think you need to understand sharpening a bit more, as there are different types - applied at different times, and the amount varies depending on the type or sharpening - the type of image - the resolution of the image.

Have you read through any of our previous threads on the topic?