I am wondering what image sharpening software others are using with Photoshop? Bruce Fraser's Image Sharpening with Adobe Photoshop CS2 is a great resource, but unfortunately even after reading the book carefully and utiliizing some of the concepts I still an not able to anticipate from the screen image what the final print will look like.

There are clearly a lot of options available. Just wondered if someone might comment on the best one for someone working primarily with scans of MF and LF film where noise reduction is not nearly as big an issue as it might be with digital cameras and 35mm scans.

Sandy King

I only use PhotoShop's sharpening abilities. Why pay someone for a plug in that doesn't do anything more than what PhotoShop can do?

The secret to all unsharp masking, or smart sharpening, is to bring the image up to 100%. Some times when having to make difficult adjustments I go larger than 100%.

I highly recommend learning to sharpen images in LAB color. That way you can reduce noise in the A&B channels through a slight blur, and sharpen only in the L channel so you don't alter the colors.

The problem is with anything like this is that there's a huge learning curve. Each and every one of use has to read take workshops, and apply what we learn through trial and error.

I am wondering what image sharpening software others are using with Photoshop? Bruce Fraser's Image Sharpening with Adobe Photoshop CS2 is a great resource, but unfortunately even after reading the book carefully and utiliizing some of the concepts I still an not able to anticipate from the screen image what the final print will look like.

There are clearly a lot of options available. Just wondered if someone might comment on the best one for someone working primarily with scans of MF and LF film where noise reduction is not nearly as big an issue as it might be with digital cameras and 35mm scans.

Sandy King

Sandy,

Man there are so many options but I guess that is why you are asking the question.

You may want to consider Intellisharpen II plugin for PS made by Fred Miranda Software.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/software/

It's priced at about $30 and can be downloaded. I don't own it but I have friends who do and are quite pleased with it, but I'm not sure if it is a 16 bit product, though it probably is.

]I've also got another friend locally that swears by Nik Sharpener Pro. It must be a decent product because she is the most untechnical individual that uses PS and her prints look very nice, Prior to purchasing NSP her work always looked way over sharpened. However Nik Sharpener is much more expensive.

Noise Ninja and Neat Image both have sharpening available and are good noise reduction products as well. I beleive Sam uses Noise Ninja so maybe he would let you test it on his Mac. I have the demo version of Neat Image and it does a very good job of sharpening though most of the time I turn it off preferring to use Mark Nelsons sharpening action though I think it does tend to sharpen noise.

Don Bryant

Another option is from Pixelgenius - their Photokit which places the sharpening on layers. It utilises a 3 stage approach which makes sense and I omit stage 2 creative sharpening, just performing Capture and output stages.

I find some of the settings are too strong, reducing opacity of the light contour layer in both stages enables me to achieve the effect I want. Photoshop actions have been written for both to ease workflow.

It is written by Martin Evening and some other Photoshop gurus.

Sandy, I don't like the "look" of PhotoKit. I used it for years. Now I just use a very slight USM "capture" sharpening in the scan and a strong High Pass Sharpen action into a separate layer and adjust opacity to suit different print sizes. Works like a charm and I only have to save one final file. If you want the action I will email it to you (or anyone else).

Sandy, I don't like the "look" of PhotoKit. I used it for years. Now I just use a very slight USM "capture" sharpening in the scan and a strong High Pass Sharpen action into a separate layer and adjust opacity to suit different print sizes. Works like a charm and I only have to save one final file. If you want the action I will email it to you.

Hi Kirk,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I would like the action. Personal email is sanking@clemson.edu.


Sandy

I am in agreement with those that use only the "native" sharpening tools provided in photoshop. Earlier versions of photoshop might have benefited from use of third party software for sharpening, but now photoshop is pretty much "up to date" in terms of sharpening.

I think that one of the things that needs to be recognized is that there is no "universal" sharpening tool. Different techniques work for different types of images. Another thought to keep in mind while you experiment with different techniques and different images.

Kirk - I would like a copy of your action as well.

Thanks!

kerik@kerik.com

Hi Kirk, I would be keen to try the sharpen action too, I am relatively new to PS and have not, as yet, found a way of using sharpen with layers.
Thanks
Gari

Kirk,
If you don't mind include me in your mailing list.

dnmilikan@cox.net

thanks,
donald miller

Sandy, I don't like the "look" of PhotoKit. I used it for years. Now I just use a very slight USM "capture" sharpening in the scan and a strong High Pass Sharpen action into a separate layer and adjust opacity to suit different print sizes. Works like a charm and I only have to save one final file. If you want the action I will email it to you (or anyone else).
Hi Kirk,

If I could beg your indulgence could you send me a copy of your sharpening action?:D

A heart felt thanks,

Don Bryant

Kirk, could you please email it to me as well? timbowles@hotmail.com

Thanks, Tim

Just realised aia forgot to put my email address. sorry

Gari
garibeet@btinternet.com

I don't know if this would be of interest to any of you but I found a wealth of sharpening techniques in a book I came across. The title of the book is "The photoshop CS2 book for digital photographers". The author is Scott Kelby.

If you want the action I will email it to you (or anyone else).

Kirk,
Thanks for the kind offer. I would also appreciate receiving the action.
Regards,
Tom Micklin
tmicklin@gmail.com

Hi Kirk,

If I could beg your indulgence could you send me a copy of your sharpening action?:D

A heart felt thanks,

Don Bryant

Hi Kirk,

I forgot my e-mail address:

donsbryant@bellsouth.net

Thanks,

Don Bryant

I'd like to see an experiment using all of the sharpening techniques used by the membership applied to the same base image as a way of comparison. We could then try to match techniques to application image, and type or develope the best technique for the numerous applications and image types.

Sandy, I don't like the "look" of PhotoKit. I used it for years. Now I just use a very slight USM "capture" sharpening in the scan and a strong High Pass Sharpen action into a separate layer and adjust opacity to suit different print sizes. Works like a charm and I only have to save one final file. If you want the action I will email it to you (or anyone else).
If I could trouble you also for your action Thanks:rolleyes:

Miles
mnelson@gtcom.net

John - sort of forum set-up question, so move if in wrong thread, but relevant here methinks.

Rather than trouble Kirk for every individual who would like a copy of his action, would it be possible to have an area where one could post such files for downloading on demand?

I too am curious to try this action, but not haven't wanted to inconvenience him.

There are lots of potential assets to be shared, such as digi-neg Curves for alt proc would be good for people needing these to make quicker progress with their photography.

In the meanwhile, if the file isn't in the approved list of file attachment types, he could ZIP it and post it as a ZIP file as an attachment to a post, since ZIP files are on the list.