Sharpening.

[JonnyM]

I'm sure this subject has been covered before but after reviewing a couple of pages in this room I couldn't see a posting.

I'm still slightly confused about sharpening. I use Photoshop CS for post-processing and Canon DPP to convert my RAW files. DPP has the option to sharpen in RAW with Sharpen and 'Unsharp Mask' in the RAW tools; there's also the ability to sharpen in RGB from 0 to 500. I know RAW files as a rule need some sharpening and JPEGs apply sharpening as a matter of course. I understood sharpening should be applied at the end of the editing process not before, is this correct, this is the way I've done it? However, I've just started to apply it in the RAW conversion stage and wanted to know if it's better to do it this way.

In addition, I would like to start getting individual prints from a professional printer, how do I know how much sharpening to apply for an A2 print, not knowing the viewing distance or where it will be hanged, if at all? It's a skill in itself getting the image from screen to print.

I know there are many books/websites etc on this topic but I just can't seem to get my head round it. When should you use Sharpen/Unsharp Mask/High Pass filter etc?

Many thanks.

[DigiDiva]

I am also interested to learn.This is something i struggle with

[Markulous]

Speaking for myself, I used to use High Pass filter to sharpen as the final editing process after sizing for end usage (print or web)

Now use Nik Software to sharpen at end of edit but occasionally, should the image require it, a RAW sharpen at the start of the edit (usually where there's not a lot of detail and relatively low contrast, so requiring a 'boost' to bring out the subject).

Advantage to Nik Software is that it creates a separate layer where I can 'paint' in the sharpening to specific areas or erase some of the sharpened layer - whichever method, like selective colour (which some call colour 'popping'), I have total control of what and where the sharpening is applied

How much to apply? As much as is needed to bring out the detail at whatever the finished image size might be (and to that end, I use saved settings according to lens used and final image size/use - but only as a rough guide as individual pics vary in need for degree of sharpening)

[wave01]

sharpening is what i do last of all. i use aperture 3 to do my post processing and then if theres anything that requires layers i use pse9.
I know photoshop has camera raw which will do your conversion but i like apertures interface plus if i do take a lot of shots under the same conditions then aperture 3 will aply the settings to them all

[GeoffWessex]

Originally Posted by wave01

sharpening is what i do last of all. i use aperture 3 to do my post processing and then if theres anything that requires layers i use pse9.
I know photoshop has camera raw which will do your conversion but i like apertures interface plus if i do take a lot of shots under the same conditions then aperture 3 will aply the settings to them all

Er, so will Adobe Camera Raw. You 'develop' one image, then load up to ten (depending on RAM) and tell ACR to repeat the last settings. As often as you like.

[wave01]

thanks for that but is that with CS

[donoreo]

Originally Posted by wave01

thanks for that but is that with CS

Nope, the Elements version does it too.

[JonnyM]

Thanks so far but I'm really only interested at one image at a time rather than batches. What are people's criteria as to what to sharpen, how much and when? Thanks Markulous, I have felt the need to sharpen the RAW image in DPP initially to get some separation between subjects before editing proper. When it comes to the print is it just trial and error as to what type and how much sharpening you apply? I'm sure paper make and type influences the final result too.

[OldBoy]

It depends on the image if you need to apply sharping. I don't use it often and only do so after checking the image at about 200%. After applying the sharping check the image again at about 200% and pay attention to areas of contrast, as too much sharping will show up here first. Increasing the size of the image to A2 shouldn't make any difference to the sharping applied. Larger images should be viewed where you can view the whole image at once.