 Fred c. Wilson |
Sharpening Software Has anyone used a focus program such as focus magic or other sharpeners that you are satisfied with?
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Richard Lynch |
Fred, There will be others that argue for some plug-in or another, but the suggestion I have is several fold: 1) Don't rely on sharpening to enhance the sharpness of a soft image. It is really for sharpening images that are already sharp. Only sharp images can be truly sharpened ... I know that sounds perverse, but that's the fact. 2) Always make the effort to take the sharpest image you can, and don't rely on sharpening as a fix. If an image is soft, it may be best to go with soft-focus or other effects than to try and impose sharpness on it. Use a tripod, monopod, image stabilization lenses, quick shutter speeds, mirror-up locking, other bracing, and whatever it takes to make the capture the best before coming to a sharpening technique to rescue images. 3) When you want to use sharpening, the Unsharp Mask and manual techniques like I discuss in my BetterPhoto online classes - Leveraging Layers: Photoshop's Most Powerful Tool or Correct and Enhance Your Images - can provide tasteful, simple sharpening. Masking can do the rest. 4) I'm always a proponent of learning what your image-editing program can do so you can control your effects. Adding a plug-in only adds to the number of tools you have to learn to use, and really those already in Photoshop (or Elements) are quite good. Make the most of the program before adding on. Not quite the answer you wanted, but I don't use plug-ins and have not run into one that I consider a 'must have'.
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Amanda M. Freese |
Hello Fred, I agree with Richard. (hello, Richard!) I had him recently for a Photoshop 101 class. If you try too hard to rescue an image, it will show up and look over-edited (as I've learned - I am a newbie too). This can be a big waste of a time and a bunch of back-peddling to redo your work. Best to stick with what the program offers (assuming you have Photoshop). There are classes you can take here at BetterPhoto that help you learn to actually use your camera better in order to get the best shot while you're there rather than try to fix them at home. I have taken a couple, and I highly recommend them! Good luck!
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Sharon Day |
Fred, when I edit for sharpness I don't use the typical USM settings or plugins. Sharpening just introduces undesirable artifacts to my eye. I duplicate the layer and use USM at the following settings: Amount 20; Radius 60; Threshold 0. After applying the USM you can lower the opacity if the effect is too strong for your taste. Give it a try and see if you don't like how a photo "pops" after trying this method.
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Sharon Day |
Oh, and take one of Richard's courses, if you want an instructor that excels in critique.
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Amanda M. Freese |
Oh yeah, I agree with Sharon, I use USM (unsharp mask) as well. Love it! It's all I need.
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