Sharpening Layer..

[Fred Woodman]

As a matter of course for sharpening I have been Option clicking the Merge visible,( say maybe a levels adjustment, of saturation/hue etc) in the layer panel. I then apply the mask, select , focus area or quick mask, etc. Is this the proper way to do this ? Just curious as to other do it..! Thx

[Diane Miller]

Be very careful about sharpening your master file. But doing it on a merged layer (including all layers in the new one) at least gives you an out.

I would sharpen a master file very rarely, and then either in the raw converter or with Nik Sharpener. (Masking rarely needed with its sophistication.) Sharpen a JPEG or other output file after resizing -- very carefully and at 100% view. I like Smart Sharpen with the Lens Blur algorithm.

The best way to sharpen is in the capture.

[Don Lacy]

Hi Fred, sharpening for me is usuall a three step process in the following order capture sharpening during conversion, this is the only sharpening I do to the master file. Creative sharpening done to a copy of the master after all layers have been flatten and on a separate layer applied with a mask and output sharpening. Here is a more detail post on my sharpening workflow for avian subjects. http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/117464-My-Sharpening-Workflow

[Fred Woodman]

Thank you Dianne and Don.! very helpful , as always.