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Thread: Sharpening Tools

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    Default Sharpening Tools

    In Photoshop CS3, both USM and Smart Sharpen are available as sharpening tools. How do they differ, in the way that they should be used and the results produced? What is your preference, or does the choice of sharpening tool depend in some way upon the image under consideration?

    Also, does Photoshop CS4 improve upon these tools, or add something that is new and possibly better?

    Norm Dulak

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    Michael Pancier
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    The best tool out there in my opinion is the Nik Sharpener Pro. Amazing plug in.

    In PS, I simply use the USM ....

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    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    Not that it answers your question but I'm a big fan of PhotoKit Sharpener.
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    BPN Viewer Charles Glatzer's Avatar
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    Norm,

    With Smart Sharpen you can independently modify and sharpen the shadow/dark and highlight/light parameters. With USM sharpening is generally similar across the tonal range, unless you duplicate the layers and change the blending modes, etc. It is similar in CS4.

    Using an EDGE MASK with either method above will allow you to obtain even finer and more detailed results.

    Check out this site www.thelightsrightstudio.com , dgital > photoshop.

    Best,

    Chas

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    Default Sharpening Tools

    Thanks to everyone for your suggestions on how to handle this difficult-to-do-well task. I actually purchased nick Sharpener Pro! Home Edition (v1.03) some years ago but never used it since it was limited to sharpening 8 x 10 prints, and I usually made larger prints.

    For now, I think I'll start improving my results using USM and an edge mask, as described by Bruce Fraser: http://www.creativepro.com/article/o...low?page=0%2C1. Has anyone tried this, and does it work well?

    Norm Dulak

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    BPN Viewer Charles Glatzer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norm Dulak View Post
    Thanks to everyone for your suggestions on how to handle this difficult-to-do-well task. I actually purchased nick Sharpener Pro! Home Edition (v1.03) some years ago but never used it since it was limited to sharpening 8 x 10 prints, and I usually made larger prints.

    For now, I think I'll start improving my results using USM and an edge mask, as described by Bruce Fraser: http://www.creativepro.com/article/o...low?page=0%2C1. Has anyone tried this, and does it work well?

    Norm Dulak
    Only all the time ;), with a bit of additional process. You can use the TLR Professional Mask Tool Kit for CS3/4 Script to generate the masks.
    FYI-The Edge Mask can be inverted for use as a Surface Mask for noise reduction.

    And, you can make an editable Action to automate the entire process.

    Chas
    Last edited by Charles Glatzer; 01-21-2009 at 07:03 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Pancier View Post
    The best tool out there in my opinion is the Nik Sharpener Pro. Amazing plug in.

    In PS, I simply use the USM ....
    Ditto on this program!!! I use it up to what I can print which are 13x19's.

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    c.w. moynihan
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    Thanks for that TLR site Chas. Looks like some good stuff there..

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    Quote Originally Posted by Norm Dulak View Post
    Has anyone tried this, and does it work well?

    Norm Dulak
    Yes indeed, and yes indeed. I almost always use an edge mask and USM.

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    I'm another fan of Nik Sharpener Pro. I have been using Adobe CS3 for over a year now and I liked USM for EVERYTHING then I just got Nik and haven't stopped using the sharpener in that filter yet. :D

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    I have been using PK Sharpener for several years and like it a lot. I especially like the option of using selective brushes.

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    Maxis Gamez
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    I use Noise Ninja and Smart Sharpening with great success! I use it in every image I process.
    Last edited by Maxis Gamez; 01-27-2009 at 07:45 AM.

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    Is Noise Ninja a sharpening tool also?

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    Maxis Gamez
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norm Dulak View Post
    Is Noise Ninja a sharpening tool also?
    Hi Norm,

    You can use Noise Ninja with Smart Sharpening. Noise Ninja does not offer sharpening but they work great together. I do it in every image I process!

    Good luck!

  15. #15
    Alfred Forns
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    Noise Ninja does have a sharpening component which you need to turn off before using !!! Will give you some strange results.

    When Noise Ninja opens go to filter and move the USM slider all the way to zero, the second will only go to .4 The reasoning behind this usm is to bring back some of the sharpness you are loosing while reducing noise.

    Any of the sharpening programs work, smart sharpen is very good. I'm sort of lazy and like to do things fast so I use PhotoKit Shapner. It has a capture sharpener, brushes and output sharpener according to need. ... and btw in LR 2.0 you have a pre-set for capture sharpening which works very well and can be applied as you import images. One preset is called "landscape" the other "portrait" both refer to the strength with landscape being a little stronger.

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    I have PhotoKit Sharpener too, and I find it especially useful for sharpening for prints. (output mode)

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