RGB Gray - Sharpening
- Smart Sharpen Filter
- Unsharp Mask Filter
- High Pass Filter
Introduction to Sharpening
Pick the techniques out of the following 3 methods that seem most apporpriate to your image. If you are new to this, start with #1: Smart Sharpen. Then try other techniques as you get more familiar with the concept.
"Magic E" - Create a new layer that combines all previous steps together.
Make sure you are on the top layer in the Layers Palette. Hold down the following 4 keys at the same time:
Command (apple key on some keyboards), Option (Alt key on some keyboards), Shift, E.
If you are on a Windows Computer, then it is: Control, Alt, Shift, E.
Now you should see a new layer at the top of the Layers Palette. It should look like a mini icon of all the visible material currently in the image. You just "merged visible" to a new layer. This takes all your adjustments and makes them pixels. You have to sharpen pixels.
Sharpening Guidlines
These are recommended starting points for sharpening an image. Notice that the output desination and subject matter are important. There is more to understanding sharpening, but these are the basics.
Sharpening Method #1: Smart Sharpen Filter
This is the preferred starting point for sharpening an image. From the Menu Bar, click on Filter, Sharpen, Smart Sharpen.
Sharpening Method #1: Smart Sharpen Filter
It is best to view this process with your image at a 100% visibility. The goal is to improve edge quality in the image. This will make the image stand out more. You will know if you went to far because you will start to see halos along the obvious edges in the image. The general rule is that you start with the Basic Options. Your amount is usually not higher than 100%, your Radius is not usually above 1.0, and use Lens Blur. Always click on More Accurate for better quality.
Sharpening Method #2: Unsharp Mask
This is the old standard in Photoshop. I think you will find Smart Sharpen superior for ink prints. Still, here you go. From the Menu Bar, click on Filter, Sharpen, Unsharp Mask.
Sharpening Method #2: Unsharp Mask
It is best to view this process with your image at a 100% visibility. The goal is to improve edge quality in the image. This will make the image stand out more. You will know if you went to far because you will start to see halos along the obvious edges in the image. Your amount is usually not higher than 100%, your Radius is not usually above 1.0, and your Threshold is usually 5 or less.
Example of Too Much Sharpening
When you go too far, the image gets really contrast and these halos appear on the strong obvious edges.
Sharpening Method #3: High Pass Filter
Many people like this method for portraiture. From the Menu Bar, click on Filter, Other, High Pass.
Sharpening Method #3: High Pass Filter
Notice that the image became gray. That is ok. Look at it closely. You should see the edges standing out. In this example, look at the eyes and hair. What this does is that it puts a dark side and a light side on each edge. This creates contrast specfically on that edge. So, you don't sharpen all the pixels the same. You lower the sharpening on areas that are not edges. This helps keep skin looking smooth. You try to only go high enough in radius to see the edges pop out. If it is a color image and you start seeing color appear, you probably have gone too far. Click OK.
Sharpening Method #3: High Pass Filter
Finally, change the blend mode of this layer to Overlay. This works just like Burning & Dodging. It enhances the edges.
*End Tutorial*