What a differance help makes

This is a shot of some old farm machinery I found locally. Came across it when looking for a sample photo to try Gareth (of Cardiff fame) "new" sharpening technique.
#1 as shot
[IMG]http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad254/weldingblues/Photos%20for%20comments%202010/Oldmachines.jpg[/IMG]

#2 sharpened (does it need more?)
[IMG]http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad254/weldingblues/Photos%20for%20comments%202010/Oldmachines2.jpg[/IMG]

The photo was taken approx. 7 months after buying my K10d, very much a beginner then, probably shows.

C & C as usual please

I like photo #1, you've made it too sharp for my taste.

Hi Colin,

It may just be me - I believe the second image is noisier, esp. in the shadows?

Colin not to put you down or anything but to let you show the difference, this the result of my default way of sharpening.
[IMG]http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk244/Anvh/Oldmachines1.jpg[/IMG]

It's a method Matt explained on this forum 5 years ago with an darken layer.
Basicly it's unsharp Mask with a layer above with the blending option set to darken.

Edit:
this without a darken layer.
[IMG]http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk244/Anvh/Oldmachines2.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks i-Berg & Anvh for the comments, it was a trial and I will go away and investigate further.
I used a Hard light filter, so will try with a soft light filter to see the difference.

Stefan what did you do?

Regards

This link + duplicated the original and place the layer above the sharpened layer and set the blending mode to darken at 80% opacity.

Colin, do like it?

ps. I've uploaded another version of your photo in my first comment without the darken layer.

Stefan,

IMO, the darken layer makes a visible difference, the way you've employed it here.

Hi Stefan
This looks interesting, thnks for pointing it out to Colin. However it looks like the credit is to Mathew.

Cheers


Paul

Paul I never said I claimed to invented to do it this way only that I use it.
In my first comment I said this:
Matt method is my default way of sharpening, I've no idea how to say it differently

I know it bring the picture back again to his normal state, 80% is most of the time the charm but you can also use a lower number to make it look more crisp with Matt method.
You can also use the darken layer with any kind of sharpening of course, it great to prevent those halos to an extend.

Stefan, I wasnt suggesting that you did by any means. You clearly misunderstood. I was actually thanking you for pointing it out.

Paul

Ah okay Paul, I thought I worded my comment a bit wrong the first time but indeed all the credits go to Matt (Mathew) although the dark layer was mine idea

Colin what method did you use?
You had it about soft/hard light so are you using a high pass filter?

Really like the photo, I would, wouldn't I?! Just my type of subject. Personally I don't think the first picture needs a lot of sharpening! I quite like the subtle almost analogue look you get straight from the K10/K200's lovely sensor at times.

Of course, it depends on the subject...and your technique. Gareth's suggestion that my Boys' Village pictures needed sharpening was down (much of the time)to camera shake and indifferent focusing on my part!

Any more from the farmyard shoot?

Regards,

Andrew

Hi Stefan

No problem, just a simple misunderstanding. I may have worded the response a little unclearly as well.

Cheers


Paul

No problem Stefan.


Paul

Hi and thanks to all the comments etc. surrounding these pictures.

Stefan,
The technique was explained by Andrew (bwichmawr)in a reply to me on one of his topics.

Andrew,
Sorry no more yet, the area where this was taken is a kitchen garden in the grounds of a large house near to where I live, the house and grounds are only open on specific days of the year. I did pass the entrance yesterday but there are no dates listed for this year.

Will keep checking, It was is May 2008 that we last visited it, so it would be interesting to re-visit.

Regards

Edit; just found one will post here shortly

This is the only other one from the same shoot.

[IMG]http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad254/weldingblues/Photos%20for%20comments%202010/Oldwagon.jpg[/IMG]

Straight of the camera, just a slight rotation only.