Sharpening techniques...

[VibrantMindDance]

I've been asking around for some really good sharpening techniques. Marc Adamus style. I see SO many photographers that have this incredible amount of detail and sharpness (steve sieren, trevor anderson, ect)... and every time i attempt on of their techniques it doesnt really work out.

All of their techniques seem to be somewhat similar. Reduce pixel size to around 1000-1600 and apply a sharpen filter about 3 times until the image looks way over sharpened and terrible, then reduce the size to what you want to post...

thats supposed to be the magic of it. Ive attempted this many times with no success. There is some detail lacking (ironically) in their directional steps. Maybe someone here has some more details? For example, when i resize the image, am I leaving the re-sample options on? Am I asjusting the ppi? I dont know that either...


.... i just want eye boggling sharpening....

[bob_r]

You didn't mention the software you're using, but if it's Photoshop, I posted Scott Kelby's method in this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2820

Bob R

[Steve Sieren]

Hello Namaste, are the one out there on the East Coast? If I remember correctly. I have redone my small article on this located on my "How to" page.

http://sieren.smugmug.com/gallery/5702061_CBZCi

I'm guessing you're not adjust the layer opacity after sharpening and duplicating the layers?

Steve Sieren

[Edd]

Can I just ask a couple of questions without Hijacking the thread.

Why would you apply a sharpening filter 3 times instead of just sharpening the image in one pass ????

What settings are used on the oversharpening??? are you just repeating the setting you used to get the image sharp ???

Thanks Ed

[Steve Sieren]

Edd,

It's a different process than using the (USM) unsharp mask.

1)Try sizing your original 300 ppi image to 1100 pixels on the longest size.

2)Then from photoshop's drop down menu. Go to filter and hover the mouse over sharpen, 4 otpions should show up. Pick the first which it sharpen not unsharp mask.

3)Try it just using it once then size your image to 600 or 700 pixel at the longest size at 72 ppi.

If that's not sharp enough go back to step 2 and sharpen it twice. Then try step 3 again and see if it's sharp enough or too sharp. If it's too sharp you can always create a duplicate layer of your image right after the first time hit sharpen. The sharpen the second layer. Try step 3 again at this point. You should still have 2 layers. You can now adjust the opacity to get your desired affect.

You can always try sharpening 3 times if you think it's necessary. Let me know if that makes sense at all?

Steve

[peter nap]

Thanks Steve!

I tried your technique on a picture I took the other day. I had the camera settings off and did a lot of work in PS. Kind of like putting ketchup all over a burned steak

Anyway...it seemed to work very well. I'm sure I over did it....but what else is new. The picture is here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3161