Sharpness Question

[dbvirago]

Thanks, Robin. I think lowering the ISO and exposing correctly were probably the biggest things. But curios, even if AI wasn't needed, would there be a downside in this case to using it?

For anyone curios, below is the original SOOC and the final which, cropped, is in the first msg

 

[tevo]

If this shot isn't sharp enough then I give up.

 

[unpopular]

^^ that will never EVER happen.

EVER. No matter what lens you're using.

Frankly, Im pretty impressed that an entry level zoom performs this well.

That lens is amazing. It is an L series, but just not IS.

Oh, then that explains a lot. I thought for some reason it was an f/4 kit lens.

either way, if this isn't sharp enough nothing will be.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

Thanks, Robin. I think lowering the ISO and exposing correctly were probably the biggest things. But curios, even if AI wasn't needed, would there be a downside in this case to using it?

For anyone curios, below is the original SOOC and the final which, cropped, is in the first msg

I am always on AI servo mode with back button focus. Does not matter what I am shooting.

 

[KmH]

Thanks, Keith. I'll start with the lens. It's the Canon f4 Not IS. As far as sharpening, I've read a lot and retained a little. When I did all processing PS, I always reduced noise before sharpening but since I'm using LR, I just realized, I have slipped into the habit of sharpening first, because the slider is first. I'll check your links and definitely buy the book. I admit my approach to sharpening is haphazard - slide the amount slider until I think it is sharp enough without adding too much noise or halos.

Great info - thanks again.

Are you aware of what happens in Camera Raw/Develop module when you hold down the Alt key when using a Sharpening panel sliders?
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 Book: The Complete Guide for Photographers

Increasing the exposure post-process aggravated the image noise issue.
If you haven't already, check out ETTR - Expose To The Right - and how to use the histogram your camera can display on the rear LCD to judge exposure.
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/histograms1.htm
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/histograms2.htm
http://schewephoto.com/ETTR/index.html
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/optimizing_exposure.shtml

 

[dbvirago]

Wow, I am now. I'll probably get this book before the other one. Alt with the mask slider was very cool