Post Processing Sharpening - the Mad way!

[Marko]

Thanks so much for that MA - You rock!

Just as an FYI, some people like to know the percentage of shots that require sharpening. I shoot in RAW and I use sharpening tools on 99.5% of all my images. I cannot remember the last time I did not sharpen (even if it's only a tad) an image.

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks marko

I do usually sharpen a little at least on about 90% of my shots I guess. It depends on what I want. Some shots, using that method I've described above, have extensive sharpening in selective areas obviously.

[kat]

Here's my question. Correct me if I am wrong, but would one use different amount (%) of sharpening depending on the size you are printing? How would you know without a print actually in front of you? Boy..I hope this doesn't come out as stupid!!!

[Mad Aussie]

Here's my question. Correct me if I am wrong, but would one use different amount (%) of sharpening depending on the size you are printing? How would you know without a print actually in front of you? Boy..I hope this doesn't come out as stupid!!!

Perfectly good question.
I usually use a similar % (using unsharp mask) but I use a different radius depending on the size of the photo I'm sharpening.
I make the decision on how much the ahrpening is taking effect as I use the %. If I'm up at 80 -100% and not seeing enough sharpening I usually increase the radius.

[kat]

Perfectly good question.
I usually use a similar % (using unsharp mask) but I use a different radius depending on the size of the photo I'm sharpening.
I make the decision on how much the ahrpening is taking effect as I use the %. If I'm up at 80 -100% and not seeing enough sharpening I usually increase the radius.

That makes perfect sense! Thank you!!!

[Marko]

I use considerably more (probably around 30%) sharpening when the image is for print.

[kat]

Now here's the next question. The bigger the print..won't you see the noise from sharpening? Or is there noise. I've never sharpened my photos before print..always thought everything was sooo soft..now I know why! And here i was blaming the lens/camera and myself!!!!

[kat]

And now I'm confused again. Do you use unsharp mask marko? do you mean it's at 30% in that?

[Marko]

I sometimes use unsharp mask and I sometimes use smart sharpen.

Whatever I use, when the shot is destined for printing (something like an 8x10) that shot will likely require 30% more sharpening (or more) than if that same shot was destined for the web.

Please keep in mind that this is my personal recipe..and I'm giving average numbers (sometimes I sharpen more, sometimes less), and by NO means should anyone accept this as gospel. YOUR camera and PP technique may require you to use your own recipe.

Now here's the next question. The bigger the print..won't you see the noise from sharpening? Or is there noise. I've never sharpened my photos before print..always thought everything was sooo soft..now I know why! And here i was blaming the lens/camera and myself!!!!

IF you look at the print from 1 inch away, yes you may see the effects of the sharpening. I forget the formula for the correct distance to look at prints according to their size...but if you respect that distance, the sharpening should not be noticeable.
Of course you CAN oversharpen and you'll see these artifacts. A VERY general guide might be 100-200% sharpening for an 8x10 with a radius around 1.0 and a threshold around 0. Again, your recipe may vary depending on the camera, image and PP technique.

The only point I really wanted to make is that in general, in my experience, print images require a significant boost in sharpening regardless of which sharpening technique you use.


Hope that helps - Marko

[kat]

Okay, I got yah! I think it's time to start playing around with the sharpening! Thank you!