To sharpen, or not to sharpen

AndrewA
Posted 09/10/2013 - 20:41 Link
I have never done much PP on shots, but yesterday I decided to sharpen a shot for the 1st time ever.

1. Out of camera
Comment Image

2. Sharpened
Comment Image


Just wondering if I pushed it a bit far, or if it looks ok?
Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

PPG link
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bforbes
Posted 09/10/2013 - 20:50 Link
They say when you over sharpen you get a halo around things.

It's difficult to say looking at your images on the forum but does the second image display a white line along the horizon?
AndrewA
Posted 09/10/2013 - 20:57 Link
bforbes wrote:

It's difficult to say looking at your images on the forum but does the second image display a white line along the horizon?
Looks that way Barrie, maybe some selective sharpening would be better?
Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

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davidstorm
Posted 09/10/2013 - 21:01 Link
The second one is miles better even on the small image size of the Forum. If you shoot in jpeg the camera sharpens the image anyway, if you shoot in RAW you need to do post process sharpening to get the best from the image, especially if printing, but even with web sizes it is noticeable.

I sharpen all my images a small amount, less so on the K-5iis than on the K-5.

Regards
David
Flickr

Nicola's Apartments, Kassiopi, Corfu

Some cameras, some lenses, some bits 'n' bobs
aliengrove
Posted 09/10/2013 - 21:56 Link
I'm amazed that's the first image you have sharpened. I just assumed that it was the norm. I do use selective sharpening using layers on occasion (ie no point in sharpening a blue sky or water that's had a long exposure), but the only time I don't use any sharpening is when I've used a plug-in like Topaz Detail or Topaz Adjust, where the plug-in enhances detail.
AndrewA
Posted 09/10/2013 - 22:17 Link
davidstorm wrote:

I sharpen all my images a small amount, less so on the K-5iis than on the K-5.

Regards
David
What method do you use David?
Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

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AndrewA
Posted 09/10/2013 - 22:18 Link
aliengrove wrote:
I'm amazed that's the first image you have sharpened. I just assumed that it was the norm. I do use selective sharpening using layers on occasion (ie no point in sharpening a blue sky or water that's had a long exposure), but the only time I don't use any sharpening is when I've used a plug-in like Topaz Detail or Topaz Adjust, where the plug-in enhances detail.
Nope, normally only tweak the exposure, WB and levels etc never bothered sharpening at all.

I think from now on I will begin to do so selectively though!
Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

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davidstorm
Posted 09/10/2013 - 22:19 Link
AndrewA wrote:
What method do you use David?
It depends on the image Drew, I use different methods for different shots. Easiest way is to show you sometime when you have a minute?

Regards
David
Flickr

Nicola's Apartments, Kassiopi, Corfu

Some cameras, some lenses, some bits 'n' bobs
AndrewA
Posted 09/10/2013 - 22:20 Link
davidstorm wrote:
AndrewA wrote:
What method do you use David?
It depends on the image Drew, I use different methods for different shots. Easiest way is to show you sometime when you have a minute?

Regards
David
Okey dokey, we still need to arrange a night shot trip around Sheffield!
Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

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davidstorm
Posted 09/10/2013 - 22:27 Link
AndrewA wrote:
Okey dokey, we still need to arrange a night shot trip around Sheffield!
Just let me know when! It would have to be a Friday or Saturday for me unless I'm on annual leave from work (7th November is a possibility).

Cheers
David
Flickr

Nicola's Apartments, Kassiopi, Corfu

Some cameras, some lenses, some bits 'n' bobs
AndrewA
Posted 10/10/2013 - 19:16 Link
davidstorm wrote:
AndrewA wrote:
Okey dokey, we still need to arrange a night shot trip around Sheffield!
Just let me know when! It would have to be a Friday or Saturday for me unless I'm on annual leave from work (7th November is a possibility).

Cheers
David
Will need to check the calendar and get back to you.
Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

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CMW
Posted 10/10/2013 - 21:16 Link
On my iPad the second one does look a touch oversharpened. It probably needs more selective sharpening -- it looks as though the foliage beyond the rocks has received the same dose as the rocks. I use Lightroom 3 (and a K5) and generally put the slider between 70 and 80 on landscapes, but usually with a significant amount of masking. But as David says, every case differs a bit (and sometimes a lot).
Regards, Christopher

ChristopherWheelerPhotography
Stuey
Posted 10/10/2013 - 22:29 Link
I tend to shoot raw so all of mine have to be sharpened

I took a close up of my son at a wedding with the K5 and Sigma 50mm macro for which I put the sharpening to nil otherwise it just didn't work
K10D, K5 plus plenty of clueless enthusiasm.

My Flickr site link
adamsuk777
Posted 10/10/2013 - 22:47 Link
I use Photoshop and I create a duplicate layer and apply a high pass filter to the layer. I then set the layer type to overlay and I find that it does a good job.
davidstorm
Posted 10/10/2013 - 23:16 Link
High Pass is good for some images, but it can be a bit harsh, especially in an 'Overlay' layer. I do use it sometimes, but hardly ever with 'Overlay', I usually set the blending option to 'Soft Light' and vary the Opacity to suit.

Regards
David
Flickr

Nicola's Apartments, Kassiopi, Corfu

Some cameras, some lenses, some bits 'n' bobs

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