Page 166 - (DK) Advanced Photography Guide

164 APPLYING | SHARPENING

ADJUSTING SHARPNESS

Most camera sensors are designed to produce slightly degree of sharpening (output sharpening) if you plan
soft images to counteract the effects of moiré, an to print a photo, as ink tends to spread, softening the
interference pattern seen when shooting detailed print. In Adobe Lightroom (the editing software that
subjects such as fabric, so the images need to be has been used in this step-by-step guide) holding
sharpened. JPEGs are usually sharpened in-camera, down Alt (Windows)/ Option (Mac) while moving the
but Raw files have to be slightly sharpened in post- sliders helps to preview the effects of sharpening by
production (input sharpening). You need a heavier briefly changing the photo to black and white.

ASSESS YOUR IMAGE
Open your photo at 100%
magnification in the editing software
of your choice (here, Adobe Lightroom
was used) and check how sharp it is.
Sensor softness is a slight blurring of
fine detail. Open the Detail panel in
Lightroom and locate the sliders that
control sharpening. First, set the
Amount; the higher the value you
select, the sharper the image will
become. Going too far, however, Sharpening
will make the image look crunchy. Amount 95
Radius 0
Detail 0
Masking 0

Sharpening Sharpening Sharpening
Amount 95 Amount 95 Amount 95
Radius 1.5 Radius 1.5 Radius 1.5
Detail 0 Detail 95 Detail 95
Masking 0 Masking 0 Masking 15

SET THE RADIUS SET THE DETAIL SET THE MASKING
The Radius slider sets the size of Adjusting Detail changes the Areas of even tone, such as
the area being sharpened around edges emphasis given to edges. The higher the sky, do not need sharpening. Set a high
in the photo. A high value increases value, the sharper the textural details. Masking value, as this will protect even
sharpness but may create a halo effect Hold Alt (Windows) / Option (Mac) while tones from being sharpened. Again, hold
(light band) around the edges. moving the slider to preview the result. Alt / Option to preview the result.

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