Quick, easy (and cheap!) tips for sharpening images

[Geoff79]

Thanks to all the replies. Yeah, the sharpening is I guess mostly for print, but in this digital age I also like having them for the web too, to share with friends and family, and on this site.

No doubt at all it's a slow learning curve for me. But as basic as this may all seem to others, I've already learned a hell of a lot in the short time on this site, so it's working. Maybe one day I'll get there...

Thanks again everyone! Hoping to get some snaps on the weekend to play with... if I can stay away from too many of those naughty, naughty beers on Saturday night.

[StevieL]

Hello,

This is my debut post on the forums and I hope it is helpful.

There is another way apart from unsharp mask to sharpen images - not necessarily better but there are plenty of ways to skin a cat in Photoshop.

This is a technique used by a few retouchers that I have worked with over the years.

Open image.

Duplicate layer.

Go to Filters --> Other --> High Pass.

Set the amount depending on how much you would like to sharpen it. Maybe do a test or two.

Then set the top layer to soft light.

Not 100% sure of the advantages of this - but it does seem effective.

Hope this helps!

Steve

[ricktas]

Hello,

This is my debut post on the forums and I hope it is helpful.

There is another way apart from unsharp mask to sharpen images - not necessarily better but there are plenty of ways to skin a cat in Photoshop.

This is a technique used by a few retouchers that I have worked with over the years.

Open image.

Duplicate layer.

Go to Filters --> Other --> High Pass.

Set the amount depending on how much you would like to sharpen it. Maybe do a test or two.

Then set the top layer to soft light.

Not 100% sure of the advantages of this - but it does seem effective.

Hope this helps!

Steve

Welcome Steve, that is included in the thread the OP alluded to at the start of this thread, the full sharpening tutorial thread is HERE

[Damo77]

Not 100% sure of the advantages of this - but it does seem effective.

I can answer this part - the advantage (in my workflow at least) is that it's the only non-destructive form of sharpening. It can be done on a layer, as part of a layer-based workflow.

I use Overlay instead of Soft Light most of the time - and I think some people prefer Hard Light.

[hawko02]

...and if you don't have the money to buy Photoshop but need more than the simpler tools will do, investigate The GIMP. It's FREE, Open Source software with a bunch of tools for photographic work. Many of its plug-ins are converted from PS anyway, so you don't miss much by going free.

Waz told me about this program too. It is great. You can learn heaps and if you want the expense of photoshop later I am sure the gimp would have given you a great start. IT is Free. and if you download it. Go to - Filters - Enhance - unsharp mask. Often just leave the slider where it is and press enter. Play. worth a try!!!

[arthurking83]

And another freebie(there are lots more, but I just wanted to mention this one) is Paint.net.
This is not Microsift's Paint.. it's called Paint.net.



.. HERE