USM/NR on RAW or JPEG?

[markubig]

I asked this before and I can't remember the answers i got . . . and for the life of me, I can't even find the darn post, so I am asking it again.

Does it matter if USM or NR is applied to the RAW file before conversion or to the JPEG file after conversion?

Not having the 'File>Process Multiple Files' in CS that I had w/ PSE3 is forcing me to develop a new workflow. I know . . . Why can't I just stick w/ PSE3? I just want to work w/ one program and have it be the one w/ the most features available to me. yes . . . i always try to make my life difficult.http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

Thanks, in advance, for your help!

.

[lostdoggy]

You can sharpen RAW files, but USM is available in PS after conversion. You should convert t TIFF 16, post process then USM, change Mode to 8 bit and then save to JPEG. Remember that everytime you open and save JPEG you will loss data so its best to do work in TIFF and save to JPEG when no Modification is necessary.

[tim]

You can't apply USM to a RAW file before converstion, and you should apply it in photoshop before it's saved as a JPG. RAW noise reduction can be applied either at the RAW stage or once it's in photoshop (again before saving as a JPG). Personally I think CS noise reduction is absolute crap so I turn it off and use Noise Ninja as a PS plugin, which has the added benefit of doing (adjustable) USM during the noise reduction step. I often do a little more USM after it though. I don't use smart sharpen, I liked it at first but i've not had great with it recently, it's not very good with images with even a little noise.

[MrGibbage]

Here's your original thread. (You can search for threads started by an individual here, if you want.)

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=59423

Btw, I reduce noise using the PS plugin Neat Image. I have the "home version", so it won't do 16 bit, so I convert to 8 bit, then reduce noise, and then USM. Seems to work great to me.

Skip

[markubig]

Here's your original thread. (You can search for threads started by an individual here, if you want.)

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=59423

Btw, I reduce noise using the PS plugin Neat Image. I have the "home version", so it won't do 16 bit, so I convert to 8 bit, then reduce noise, and then USM. Seems to work great to me.

SkipThanks for your replies, guys!!!

Hey Skip . . . thanx. I already knew about the threads started by individuals and I had seen the thread that you referenced . . i thought it was it also, but it wasn't. I posted the question in the middle of another thread that was started by someone else. i tried searching for a while, but it started giving me a headache http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif. i just bought the Neat Image PS plugin yesterday . . . I'm still tryin to figure out how it works. Thanks for your replyhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[PhotosGuy]

I prefer to do the noise reduction & the default (slight) sharpening during the conversion in RSE. What better time to do it?