Quickflow for Noobs

[BigRed450]

For all you folks new into Digital, here is a Quickflow to Saturate and Sharpen your images. Once you get more into this stuff you can expand on it if you wish...

> open image
Add Contrast
> image > adjustments > Brightness/Contrast > add +5 contrast
Add Saturation
> image > adjustments > Hue/Saturation > add +20 Saturation
Convert to LAB mode for sharpening
> image > mode > LAB
> click on Channels palet
> choose LIGHTNESS channel
Sharpen Lightness Channel ( sharpening only the lightness channel won't sharpen color noise )
>Unsharp Mask A- 85 R- 1.0 T- 4.0
>UnSharp Mask A- 85 R- 1.0 T- 4.0 ( Yes the same setting twice )
Convert back to RGB
> image > mode > RGB Color
Save
> Save or Save As , your choice..

I have a binder full of fancy test print comparisons of numerous different methods from multilevel/multilayer dark and light sharpen, sharpen/saturation blends, to edge sharpening, and even multilevels of the new CS2 SmartSharpen, I even downloaded (some I even bought) and tested countless software products, but in the end this quick and easy QuickFlow method just seems to work really well for Canon DSLRs...
Yes, I have heard and experienced all the arguments about converting to LAB, but for those who are that concerned, you should be shooting in RAW anyway.
Again for the more advanced, you may have a method you prefer, but this will be a good start for the beginners.

[jfred]

thanks for posting this :) will have to give it a go

[DigiDude]

I'm a noob that just got a 20D and Photo shop... I haven't had time to really get into the manual yet, and did these steps to a few pics last night. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! You just saved me a lot of "fiddling" time!! The pics look great!!!

[Baadil]

Created an Action and a Droplet, works great :-) Thank you.

[BigRed450]

Your Welcome....

This should give you a good start. As I said you can tweak it to your liking once you get more familiar...