Sharpening with an edge mask and high pass sharpening
Recently there was a post by Chas of woodpeckers and in it he said he uses a creative edge mask and high pass sharpening on his images. He has some of the sharpest images I've seen and I was wondering if there is a good tutorial or article where I could learn how and when to do it and try it out myself. I know there are numerous ways to sharpen but I've always been impressed with his results.
I use PK Sharpener that has a High Pass option. I understand Bruce was instrumental in its development. He also was the major designer of the capture sharpening in ACR and Light Room.
FWIW, I think Chas has excellent photographic technique. There isn't a sharpening program out there that can make up for poor in camera technique.
Use that link because it gives you access for a week. There are several tutorials by a couple of presenters on sharpening and particularly using high pass and edge sharpening vs. smart sharpen and unsharp mask. Search under Photoshop CS4 for the latest tutorials and you will find at least enough to keep you glued to your monitor for a week. I learned a lot...like drinking from a fire hydrant.
Tom Keenan