How to sharpen the pic w/best result. Please HELP

[jtran]

I tried PS and Lightroom2 to sharpen this pix but don't get good result.
The pix was taken with Hasselblad 503CW and 100mm lens.
Could someone shed some secrets and help me please.
Greatly appreciates,
--John Tran

[sapearl]

Hi John and welcome to POTN - my old camera, the venerable 503CW :D. Is the picture from a scanned print, negative, or did you use a digital back? You may want to consider this post I started a little while back:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=473056

[jtran]

This pic was taken while back, sometime in 2002 I think, using film.
--JT

[sapearl]

Ah ok - could you post a larger image please?

I used my 503 up until 2005. The lab would process the negatives and then scan each image. I would still apply some modest sharpenning to the files prior to final (client) enlargement and that seemed to snap things up a little bit.

This pic was taken while back, sometime in 2002 I think, using film.
--JT

[jtran]

You are right, the lab scan the negative for me. How about this. Thanks for your help.
--JT

[sapearl]

What a lovely young lady JT - such a pretty smile and a very relaxed pose..... nicely done. I'm looking at this on an old crappy monitor right now and it looks pretty good.

[jtran]

Is there anyway you can show me to make the pic looks "sharpier" and "punchier".
I want to create a "WOW" but try different way without success.
TIA.

[sapearl]

What graphics package are you using - CS3 or CS4? If so, a quick adjustment can be IMAGE => ADJUST => LEVELS => AUTO LEVELS or CONTRAST depending upon your taste. Personally though I really like this nice soft look. But I'm sure that others will offer their suggestions and "interpretations" if you ask them :D.

[jtran]

I try both and like the Auto Level better than the Auto Contrast (make skin more warm).
Thanks for your help.

[Dennis_Hammer]

I switch the picture to lab color, then go to channels and select the lightness channel. The picture will turn b&w don't worry nothing was lost. Then use the unsharp mask, I start with the settings at 120,3,3 and go from there. Then when done switch back to RGB (switching back and forth to Lab Color is non-destructive. Anyway thats how I sharpen a portrait usually, of course there are exceptions. Good Luck


Here's a quick edit, sharpened as explained above then I duplicated the layer brightened for more background detail and vibrance. Erased her shirt from the brightened version (it blew out) and then blended.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff212/Hammerphotos/002_testcopy.jpg

[AlexMoPhotography]

^^ it's a little strong; I would set the radius a little lower.

[Drozz119]

414260

contrast +5/usm 2pass

[jtran]

Drozz, can you tell me how you do that. I like your version.
Thanks,
--JT

[tim]

Looks light brightness and contrast to me.

[Drozz119]

Drozz, can you tell me how you do that. I like your version.
Thanks,
--JT

Tim is correct about the contrast.. instead of brightness, i used levels.

I made 2 adjustment layers: bright/contrast and levels. Layers>New Adjustment Layer

I usually go a little too far and then bring it back with the opacity slider on each adjustment layer.. it gives you a little more control.

And then the 2 pass method of USM.. If you do a search on here, there is a lot of info