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, Last week at the club member Chris Birchmore gave a presentation on MPP cameras which included some of Chris's collection of cameras and prints taken. There is a report on the evening on our blog page. Thank you Chris for an interesting evening. This week, Wednesday 1st April, we are holding a local and open PDI competition the local subject being nature, please if you haven't already, send your entries to Harry before midnight tonight. Members Steve Chapman and Dave Turner have volunteered to judge. Also on the Wednesday 1st April our Louth Photographic Society 70th anniversary exhibition will be open to view at the Louth Museum. Regards Graham
Chris Birchmore gave an informative, and interesting talk and demonstration of his medium format film cameras. at the beginning of the evening Chris gave a potted history of the origins of the MPP cameras he was showing us. The cameras take a 5 x 4" film stock, and looking at the cameras it seems incredible that photographers in the recent past could take excellent photographs with these. The MPP cameras were often used by the British Armed Forcies during the Second World War, and throughout the 1950s, and 60s, and some of these medium format were still being manufactured in the 1970s. The prints that Chris showed taken with these cameras were of excellent quality, with an amazing depth of field. Many thanks Chris for a fascinating evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held a committee meeting, which was very productive, we made the final arrangements for the exhibition, charity night, and studio evening as well as other items on the agenda. We are holding an Exhibition opening night at Louth Museum on Friday 17th April celebrating 70 years of Louth Photographic Society. There will be a small buffet and cold drinks available, if any member would like to donate a bottle of wine to the occasion please hand it to Harry at one of our club nights. This week, Wednesday 25th March, member Chris Birchmore will be giving us a presentation. The following week is a local competition, with the categoriess of "Local Nature" (up to 25 miles radius from St James church) and "Open" (unlimited mileage) please send your entries to Harry before midnight, Sunday 29th March. Members Steve Chapman will judge the Nature category, and Dave Turner the Open category. Regards Graham
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held our monthly PDI competition judged by Martyn Wrigg, the standard of entries was very high and well done to Tony Gaskins for a first in the Architectural Detail and Derek Smith for his first place in the Open. All the results are on our website under competitions. This week, Wednesday 18th March we will be holding a Committee meeting, just committee members for this one. The following week Chris Birchmore is the speaker for the night. Harry is now accepting entries for the PDI local competition, with the categories of "Local Nature" and "Open". We judge this competition in house so if you would like to judge one of the subjects please let me know. Regards Graham
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
A PDI (Projected Digital Image) competition was held last night with the categories of "Architectural Detail", and "Open". Martyn Wrigg was our judge for the evening, and he competently judged the submitted images, although he diid surprise with some of his choices of placing, but that's a judges perogative. Martyn complemented members on the quality of the images presented, which had made some of his decisions difficult. First placed was "It's a Fixer Upper" in the Architectural Detail section, and "Dervish Musician" in the Open section. Congratulations to Robin Begley, who as one of our newest members submitted some impressive images, achieving a 3rd place in "Architectural Details", and 2nd in the "Open" category. All the results are now posted to our website Competition page.
Good Morning All Last week at the club member Steve Chapman gave us an insight into his life and especially his time at Ilam Park in Derbyshire photographing for the National Trust. Steve showed us many photographs he had taken of the people involved with the trust and the Peak District. The second half was dedicated to Steve's own work, some superb aircraft photography as well as many other subjects. There is a report on the evening on our blog page. This week, Wednesday 11th March we are holding a PDI competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail " and "Open" to be judged by Martyn Wrigg of Barton. The following week is a committee meeting for the committee members only on that evening. For newer members we have two committee meetings a year. Regards Graham
Last night Steve Chapman presented a selection of images from his archives. Steve had previously been a volunteer photographer for the National Trust, and he showed many photos from the Ilam Park Estate, Dovedale, it was interesting to see some of the "behind the scenes" photos. The Jacobite reenactment battle scenes were amazing, the uniforms showed great attention to detail, and there were some real characters among the reenactors. After the break Steve showed some of his general photography, he has a great photographic eye, as some of his photos showed with different colours, shapes, and leading lines. Steve has taken many photos of agricultural machinery, and risked life and limb to create some close up aircraft photos. For atmosphere, just look at these horseriders at the top of the hill on a cool early morning. For heartstopping imagery look at these children on the side of a building, the children are photos on the side of the building, however, Steve wasted no time in capturing this stunning image. Many thanks to Steve for a fascinating evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club I gave you a PDI (Projected Digital Image) presentation showing photographs I had taken on my travels last year, following up with some past and present photographs of Binbrook. I hope you all enjoyed the evening and maybe saw parts of England you hadn't seen before. This week, Wednesday 4th March, our member Steve Chapman will be showing us photographs he has taken. This is Steve's first time showing the club his work so will be a very good night. Harry is now accepting your PDI's for the next competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail" and "Open". The closing date is Friday 6th March. Regards Graham
The N&EMPF Exhibition will be on display in Cleethorpes from 3rd March.
