STICKY:  Sharpening Tips & Tricks, Tutorials, and FAQ

René Damkot wrote in post #13075176
Why would you want to upload larger then anyone can display?
The resizing used by the site will determine how your images look.

It's more than just about web display size, it's about print sizes being offered. The larger the image file being uploaded the larger the print Zenfolio can produce.

Rene, they don't resize images on Zenfolio from what I understand. I choose how I want the thumb nails to display; display is not my concern. I am more focused on selling prints and downloads, so I need to upload a large file so that the customer can order small to large size prints if they want. I need to make sure there's enough resolution for large prints. I opened the option to allow the customer to crop the image as they see fit.

René Damkot wrote in post #13075176
Why would you want to upload larger then anyone can display?
The resizing used by the site will determine how your images look.

That's output sharpening: It's based on settings used (duh) and size.

For web, I use "screen", either "normal" or "high".

Thanks for the clarification Johnny.

Johnny V wrote in post #13100618
It's more than just about web display size, it's about print sizes being offered. The larger the image file being uploaded the larger the print Zenfolio can produce.

Btw, I think I have it all figured out.

Really Smart Sharpening explained in a separate thread.

Wow, great stuff. You never run out of ways to improve PP...

Thanks a lot, loads of great techniques on here.

Quick question, any of you have a canon 400d with the kit lens 18-55mm? If so, which sharpening techniques do you use?

Interesting methods that I need to learn in here. I have been using a typical unsharp mask on a new layer converted to a smart object and thought that was the best that could be done. I also thought I was having to use too much sharpening at 100-1305 .9-1px, but I see some use far more.

stealthdave wrote in post #13638617
Thanks a lot, loads of great techniques on here.

Quick question, any of you have a canon 400d with the kit lens 18-55mm? If so, which sharpening techniques do you use?

Hi stealthdave,
I have 400D and often I used the kit lens. To get the best sharpening you need to follow this simple and old rules:
1. low ISO (400D is an "old" camera and noise is not well managed by its sensor);
2. use a stative under 1/100 and in general be fixed while you shot;
3. close the lens to f/8 - f/13 no less no more;
4. choice the proper exposition;
5. consider to correct the image on the PC;
6. shot in RAW in order to have more chance to correct after.

In my flickr you can see several shots done with 400D.

Hope to be helpful.
Bye
Francesco

dinifra wrote in post #13666452
Hi stealthdave,

1. low ISO (400D is an "old" camera and noise is not well managed by its sensor);
2. use a stative under 1/100 and in general be fixed while you shot;
3. close the lens to f/8 - f/13 no less no more;
4. choice the proper exposition;
5. consider to correct the image on the PC;
6. shot in RAW in order to have more chance to correct after.

Those are great shooting settings, when they work, and work for the creative exposure you're after.
Sometimes low ISO or shooting at f/8-f/13 just isn't an option. I would rather get the creative shot I'm after and deal with noise ect. And use the aperture that gives me the depth of field I need, whether that's 1.8 or f/22.
To me it's so much more about getting the shot than it is making it as sharp as possible. I'd rather make the light do what I want, or have my depth of field and colors right. When it all works it's great, but I take "rules" like that as advice. Rules are meant to be broken. You're totally right though, those are great settings to get the best image quality. And raw is so amazing at what you can do to correct. JPG is just putting yourself inside a tiny little box and nailing it shut.

I know I have a lot to learn about post processing, I have Photoshop CS2. Can I still do all these things with it? Retired and on a very strict budget, so buying a high dollar program is out of the question.
Thanks for all the help from ya'll.

Take a class at a local community ollege and then use your tuition statement to get teh student discount with adobe. I got CS5 extended version for $200 that way.

misplacedcowboy wrote in post #13701559
I know I have a lot to learn about post processing, I have Photoshop CS2. Can I still do all these things with it? Retired and on a very strict budget, so buying a high dollar program is out of the question.
Thanks for all the help from ya'll.

misplacedcowboy wrote in post #13701559
I know I have a lot to learn about post processing, I have Photoshop CS2. Can I still do all these things with it?

What's "all these things"?

PSCS2 is quite capable.
Some options that are available in the newer versions aren't in CS2 however.

Mainly some filters that don't work in 16bpc, and some things that don't work on a smart object.
Unfortunately, in PSCS2, filters cannot be performed on a SO. So the "Really smart sharpening" I linked to a few posts back, won't work. Other things will be no problem.

OTOH: You can upgrade PSCS2 to PSCS5. You will not be able to upgrade to PSCS6 from PSCS2…

Actually i tend to sharp the my picture twice and i am getting super duper result
you can try
here my work flow :


• Open Image.
• Duplicate Layer.
• Image > Adjustments > Levels.
Balance Red, Green and Blue Channels.
• Images > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.
• Increase/Decrease colors and luminosity by channel.
• Filter > Noise > Reduce Noise :
Strength:3 - Preserve Details:30 - RDC:0 - Sharpen Details: 45.
• Filter > Sharpen >Smart Sharpen.
Amount 80% - Radius 0,2 Pixel – Remove Gaussian Blur – More accurate:
Shadow 0-0-1 Highlight 0-0-1.
• Image >Image Size > 1200x800 pixels 72 DPI – Bicubic Sharper.
• Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask :
Amount 100 – Radius 0,2 – Threshold 0.
• Image > Save As > Jpeg > Quality 12.

Any before and after samples?

sturo wrote in post #14277837
Actually i tend to sharp the my picture twice and i am getting super duper result
you can try
here my work flow :


• Open Image.
• Duplicate Layer.
• Image > Adjustments > Levels.
Balance Red, Green and Blue Channels.
• Images > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.
• Increase/Decrease colors and luminosity by channel.
• Filter > Noise > Reduce Noise :
Strength:3 - Preserve Details:30 - RDC:0 - Sharpen Details: 45.
• Filter > Sharpen >Smart Sharpen.
Amount 80% - Radius 0,2 Pixel – Remove Gaussian Blur – More accurate:
Shadow 0-0-1 Highlight 0-0-1.
• Image >Image Size > 1200x800 pixels 72 DPI – Bicubic Sharper.
• Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask :
Amount 100 – Radius 0,2 – Threshold 0.
• Image > Save As > Jpeg > Quality 12.

stealthdave wrote in post #14279406
Any before and after samples?

No sorry, the size is too big for this forum but you can try and let us know !!

sturo wrote in post #14280189
No sorry, the size is too big for this forum but you can try and let us know !!

You can show by cropping out a small portion of your Before and After pics and so post at a size that can be put on the forum and clearly show your results! Or, you can do a "screen shot" of an enlarged part of your pic...