Sharpening
Paul Malley • 18 April 2022
SHARPENING
A few Blog entries back, I submitted a short piece of work regarding my use of 'Auto-ISO' which, I'm pleased to say, generated some interest and subsequent discussion at the Clubhouse. In a bid to keep alternative thoughts and views going, this time I'm including a section on my preferred method of Sharpening images (lights blue touch-paper and steps back...), - please note I said "my preferred method" as, not only are there a number of ways of sharpening an image, but it is one of the most 'Subjective' issues when concluding a workflow process.
Many DSLR units are fitted with an anti-aliasing filter in the sensor path, which counter affects the moiré patterning, or coloured cross parallax of some light wavelengths. Anything placed in front of the sensor, can optically reduce the efficiency of the light path so, to overcome this, a degree of sharpening of an image is required, to reinstate any corrective action. Newer DSLR and Mirrorless units do not all have this anti-aliasing filter, but sharpening is still applied within the workflow.
Sharpening works by producing a better defined line (NOT the same as contrast) at boundary edges, (in the good old wet darkroom, this was termed Acutance). The degree and method of sharpening as stated, is hugely subjective as, applied to the wrong style of image, or at the wrong focal viewpoint, or in too greater strength can be detrimental. I have seen the evolving of sharpening within 'Photoshop Elements' since about 2008, where it was issued as a simple one-click function under the 'Enhance' Tab as 'auto-sharpen'. This was a quick one-stop pass that applied sharpening via an algorithm which, although hit and miss at times, gave a somewhat credible change. In subsequent versions, it became more refined, and sliders were introduced, offering control into variable levels of overall sharpness. About 10yrs ago, a huge step-change came in whereby the edge radius and strength could be altered to suit, offering 0.1 pixel units. Nowadays, sharpening can be done on separate layers, combined with clarity, contrast and split down within different layers, even identifying selective target areas to sharpen, before they are all merged down like layers in a sandwich.
For me, in my current Affinity Photo Software, I use a 3-stage sharpening process (Please note there are differences at the final stage for presentation in Print format, or display as a PDI). I conduct each stage in isolation, and it is done as the final part of my jpeg workflow process before I save the image.
Stage 1. This is a PRE-SHARPEN action, where the minimal radius and strength factor are applied to the overall image via the strangely termed 'Unsharp Mask' (each part of the image gets the same sharpening factor in one operation).
Stage 2. This is CREATIVE or SELECTIVE Sharpening, where I can select/identify what part of the image I wish to enhance beyond Stage 1. It may be the model's eyes, a tree in a landscape, or a head-on motorcycle fairing. In this stage, using a New Layer, selecting a brush, I work round the item and check it is bounded by the infamous 'marching ants'. Once identified a second pass is given using the same as in Stage 1. Once completed, a simple deselect of the marching ants shows the added 'pop' of the detail within the selected area. I then Merge/Flatten the Layers into one.
Stage 3. The final action is termed OUTPUT Sharpening. For me, working in PDI, I resize the document to the longest 1920 x 1200 format and apply a final overall sharpen in Unsharp Mask at a low output. This third and final stage can be dramatic as it is at the output for a good projected resolution.
If all has worked well, the image should have a nice, overall sharpness courtesy of stages 1 and 3 and the main point which the viewer may concentrate or gravitate to should have that extra pop, courtesy of Stage 2.
As a small aside, I remove my Noise during RAW conversion, as you don't want to be working on a noise image, either by creating Layers and putting Noise on top of Noise, or sharpening Noise at three separate stages. Noise can also have the effect of apparent sharpness reduction, - so get rid of it early.
Be wary of over sharpening, it can lead to artefacts, jagged edges or fringing, in worse cases it can also promote haloing or banding separation. Sometimes, less is more and I usually 'back-off a bit' on my final sharpening, rather than push a sharpening boundary.
Have a try with small amounts of sharpening, on different Layers (always on a working copy file, not the original primary jpeg) and pick something out that you want the viewer to look at. I have done my 3-Stage approach on this image of the Kingfisher, with selective sharpening applied to the head and leading edge of the wing.
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All We spent last week on the Isle of Wight visiting many of the attractions. This week, Wednesday 9th September, we are back at the club with 15-minute PDI shows of what you did during the summer break, I have Derek Smith, Tony Gaskins, Harry Kerman, Chris Birchmore and Richard Hildred on the list, if I have missed you off, please let me know. I should be there but could be late as away playing golf. Harry is taking entries for the September PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open". Harry will miss the October local competition but will sort the entries out for us, The competition categories will be "Local-Not Edited" and "Open". We judge this competition in house so could do with two volunteers to judge. The local competition is a .jpeg photograph taken and straight from the camera, no cropping, or post processing etc, like the old days taken no more than 25 miles from St James church. Regards Graham
On Bank Holiday Monday I visited the Props, and Pistons Event at the East Kirkby Aviation centre. The event was well attended, with a good selection of various vehicles on display. The Avro Lancaster “Just Jane” was on display and did a couple of taxiing runs, so great to hear the Rolls Royce Merlin engines roar into life, also taxiing was the DeHavilland Mosquito aircraft, the “wooden wonder”. The first flypast was from the Hawker Hurricane, and the Supermarine Spitfire, I didn’t manage to capture any acceptable photos of these iconic aircraft, as they were too small and fast for me. Later in the afternoon the second flypast aircraft was the American Martin B26 Marauder, as this was larger, and slower I did manage to take some photos as it flew overhead. The weather was kind, and I had a very enjoyable day out.
Good Morning All I was having my lunchbreak on the Wolds last week and spotted this tree in a field next to me, it does give the impression it's looking at you. I hope you're all enjoying the summer break, time does fly by and it's time to get ready for returning to the club on the 9th of September. We start with mini lecture, 15 minutes on what you have been doing over the summer. If you want to take part, please email me and we will see how many we have. The September PDI competition is coming up as well on the 23 rd of September, Objects in the air and open, Harry will now start taking your entries, three entries in each subject with an (R) after one of them to be removed if there are too many entries. Derek sent the N&EMPF Exhibition entry forms out; I will again act as organiser for our club. The standard is very high so it's one for your best PDI's. We will view some last year's PDI's that made the grade on the 16 th of September. Regards Graham
NELPS organised an outing to the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, there was some confusion with opening times, and a few of us arrived to find the gates closed, we went for a coffee!! Once inside and parked up we were welcomed by the volunteer staff, and began to take some photos around the site. A Grimsby trolleybus was running this morning, this bus had been painstakingly restored from a bare chassis, with great attention to detail, even down to sourcing the original moquette fabric to upholster the seats, it was great to be able to ride in a trolleybus again. Trolleybuses have a particular nostalgic memory for me, I lived in Uxbridge, on the outskirts of London, and the 607 trolleybus route ran past the end of my road, with a usual frequency of 5 minute intervals the buses were a common sight gliding along the main road. The 607 route was one of the longest in the country 11 miles to Shepherds Bush, taking about an hour for the journey. The trolleybus was whisper quiet, comfortable, and pollution free, and I took several trips on these. In comparison the conventional London bus the “RT” was not as quiet for longer journeys. The London trolleybuses, and eventually the London “RT” buses, were replaced with the iconic diesel fuelled Routemaster “RM” bus. I had an enjoyable visit, and many thanks to NELPS for organising the outing.
When we see a photograph what do we actually see? Does the image grab our attention? Does the image tell a story, or do we have to fill in the blanks with our own memories, and experiences? If we see a complete picture, or just a detail, which stirs our emotions most? At a recent competition a print was shown of fishing boats pulled up on the beach at North Landing, Flamborough, it was an excellent print, but the judge remarked “it’s just boats on a beach”. Do we feel the same emotion with a “normal” view, or do we want more, a storm raging, or fishermen launching the boats? Anyway, here are a few of my “abnormal” photos, first up a rusted bolt, you see I ask “who put that there?”, “what did it once hold?” Second, a vehicle excise disc, surely that stirs memories? Thirdly, a stone carved column, who carved the details? Was it shaped according to an architect’s brief, or a stone masons pattern? What emotions were felt by the stone mason? Lastly, a door handle. Where does this lead? How old is it, and how many hands have opened this door? Finally, I think that I’ve got my “mojo” back, I’ve been out more with my camera, and enjoying the experience, and surely that’s what photography is all about, the joy of capturing an image that pleases me.
The Exhibition will be in place from 10th - 29th September 2026
I was scrolling through the archives yesterday, and found these "Still Life" images. Still Life is an interesting photographic genre that requires good lighting, and compositional skills, but the results can be amazing. Here are four images of the genre, "Breakfast" showing cereal falling into a bowl, "Four Candles" (no not the ones from the Two Ronnies sketch), the moody "Decaying Tulip", and the simple but effective monochrome "Opener". Perhaps these images might give you some inspiration.
I joined the NELPS outing at Chambers Farm Woods on Wednesday. The NELPS visit to Chamber Farm wood and butterfly garden was well attended, with several members from NELPS, Grimsby, Dunholme and Louth, kind thanks to all that came, although it was very hot the butterfly garden, being rather full and slightly unkept did not let us down with butterflies, two less common were seen, a Comma butterfly and a humming bird moth, with loads of very lively common blue butterflies. Most of the insects in the butterfly garden were highly active, and by the time an insect was spotted, it was off!! I managed to just about get an image of the Comma butterfly, and nobody stood a chance with the humming bird moth, it was too fast. The dragonfly was more accommodating remaining fairly still posing for us. The next NELPS outing will be to the Peoples Park in Grimsby on Wednesday 19th, I'm busy on that day, but I will be attending the meeting at the Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum on Wednesday 26th. Many thanks to NELPS for organising these outings, it was a thoroughly pleasurable morning.
A visit to Whitby for a sunset picture didn't quite go to plan. Unknown to me today is the last day of the Whitby Regatta. Whitby in the summer is usually busy, but today it rivaled Time Square in New York. My planned shoot of the East Pier was a non-starter because for tonight only there's a fun fair along West Pier where I planned to shoot from. I had to re-think and resort to plan b, which was also a non-starter because the East Pier was closed as it was packed with fireworks. Plan c was OK though and I got an image I'm pleased with.
I've been up to RSPB Bempton Cliffs this week, and have taken some excellent photographs, the weather was fine, and the lighting was less harsh than usual. This pair were on the cliff top, obviously well established, and saw off this interloper trying to muscle in on their space, those beaks look very vicious. I hope that everyone else is having a productive summer break.
