Photoshop sharpening...

[AtuspidsGoddess]

...with highpass or with filter/sharpen...what's a better method?

 

[KmH]

It depends on the photo and how it will be output (web, print).

A portrait is a low frequency image as far as edges go. A landscape photo is usually a high frequency image as far as edges go.

I use something like 10 different sharpening techniques and 3 different image editing applications, including making my own sharpening masks and using the LAB color space.

I recommend the book: Real World Image Sharpening with Adobe Photoshop, Camera Raw, and Lightroom (2nd Edition)

 

[AtuspidsGoddess]

Holy Macaroni...10 techniques and 3 different applications?!...share?

 

[MissCream]

I use unsharp mask...

 

[PASM]

I use Smart Sharpen

I use unsharp mask...

 

[KmH]

Holy Macaroni...10 techniques and 3 different applications?!...share?

I did. All that ↑, requires writing a book, which I linked you to.

 

[o hey tyler]

Holy Macaroni...10 techniques and 3 different applications?!...share?

I did. All that ↑, requires reading a book, which I linked you to.

Fix't

 

[AtuspidsGoddess]

I originally started off using unsharp mask...and then found smart sharpen...and have been using a combination of unsharp and smart sharpen...and now have just discovered highpass as being pretty good too...so now I'm using a little of each?....

 

[reznap]

I'd like to jump in and mention that sharpening doesn't have to and shouldn't be done globally. Unsharp mask, smart sharpen, high pass.. whatever method you use, you can apply it to a selective area. I like to globally sharpen the photo on a stamped/duplicate layer and then add a layer mask to it. Then invert the mask (control+i) and paint the sharpened layer on where you need it.

Also, I've always heard that you don't want to sharpen as much for photos going to print as you would for just PC viewing and web use.

 

[KmH]

Also, I've always heard that you don't want to sharpen as much for photos going to print as you would for just PC viewing and web use.

Actually, just the opposite.

A photo on your computer display that looks somewhat crunchy (oversharpened), is likely just about right for printing.

I usually sharpen in 3 steps:

1. parametric capture sharpening (ACR/Lightroom)
2. local non-destructive sharpening during editing
3. output sharpening based on image use (print/electronic display)

 

[AtuspidsGoddess]

I'd like to jump in and mention that sharpening doesn't have to and shouldn't be done globally. Unsharp mask, smart sharpen, high pass.. whatever method you use, you can apply it to a selective area. I like to globally sharpen the photo on a stamped/duplicate layer and then add a layer mask to it. Then invert the mask (control+i) and paint the sharpened layer on where you need it.

Also, I've always heard that you don't want to sharpen as much for photos going to print as you would for just PC viewing and web use.

OH YEAH!!! A step that usually is so basic you forget how much control you really have over an image! I forgot!