How to Increase the Sharpness of a Photograph
Realise Sharpness., Realise Clarity., Be aware of Noise., Use layers., Use masks., Combine images., Realise High Dynamic Range imaging (HDR).
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Realise Sharpness.
Sharpness setting is found in any good retouching software.
Depending on the software you use, it may include further settings or just simple one single setting.Further settings in Lightroom are radius, details and amount.Basically sharpness is a global un-sharp mask, which will globally accentuates the details of a picture.
The further settings enable you to have more control over the sharpness. -
Step 2: Realise Clarity.
Clarity is an option found in Lightroom, it is very useful when you want to give strength to a picture.
It makes the edges surrealistic if you over-use it though.
Best used for male portraits, landscape and items photography.
Combined with the sharpness setting in Lightroom, it turns this software into a very powerful retouching tool. , Noise may seem quite odd when talking about sharpness.
One would mostly try to reduce noise as much as possible when taking a picture.
Why would we add noise during post processing then? It is not only the noise we are trying to keep to the minimum when taking a photograph.
But it is also about retaining the maximum details available and a good dynamic of colors.
This way one has more flexibility in post treatment.
Adding noise is about the perception of a picture.
Noise gives a photograph some texture, this perception of texture can lead to sharpness.
It is a risky mix though, and should be carefully considered. , This technique requires a powerful retouching software, such as Photoshop.The idea is to create a new layer in which one will just accentuate some edges of a picture (the high pass filter is a good start).
Then the layer is mixed with other layers (you would mostly use overlay or soft light).
This technique is very powerful.
Not only does it bring sharpness, but it also gives the photograph some texture.
The flexibility offered by the layer system is priceless. , The idea of using masks is to give sharpness by contrasts, sharpening only a small part of a picture to make it pop better.
You may want to use it to emphasize one element of a photograph. , The idea of combining images is to reduce the overall noise and to increase the overall resolution.One can combine images through a panorama software or using Photoshop. , HDR is very controversial, It is about shooting several pictures and then mixing them together to get the most dynamic.
The idea is to overcome the sensor limit, which is to capture only a specific range.HDR offers great possibilities, which can also result in very unreal picture look.
It is to be used carefully, as a tool to reach a goal.HDR can also be applied without giving an unreal look to pictures, it really depends on your vision and your mastering of the process.
Most HDR combining software give you great control over how the pictures will mix.
You can use them to obtain great sharpness. -
Step 3: Be aware of Noise.
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Step 4: Use layers.
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Step 5: Use masks.
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Step 6: Combine images.
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Step 7: Realise High Dynamic Range imaging (HDR).
Detailed Guide
Sharpness setting is found in any good retouching software.
Depending on the software you use, it may include further settings or just simple one single setting.Further settings in Lightroom are radius, details and amount.Basically sharpness is a global un-sharp mask, which will globally accentuates the details of a picture.
The further settings enable you to have more control over the sharpness.
Clarity is an option found in Lightroom, it is very useful when you want to give strength to a picture.
It makes the edges surrealistic if you over-use it though.
Best used for male portraits, landscape and items photography.
Combined with the sharpness setting in Lightroom, it turns this software into a very powerful retouching tool. , Noise may seem quite odd when talking about sharpness.
One would mostly try to reduce noise as much as possible when taking a picture.
Why would we add noise during post processing then? It is not only the noise we are trying to keep to the minimum when taking a photograph.
But it is also about retaining the maximum details available and a good dynamic of colors.
This way one has more flexibility in post treatment.
Adding noise is about the perception of a picture.
Noise gives a photograph some texture, this perception of texture can lead to sharpness.
It is a risky mix though, and should be carefully considered. , This technique requires a powerful retouching software, such as Photoshop.The idea is to create a new layer in which one will just accentuate some edges of a picture (the high pass filter is a good start).
Then the layer is mixed with other layers (you would mostly use overlay or soft light).
This technique is very powerful.
Not only does it bring sharpness, but it also gives the photograph some texture.
The flexibility offered by the layer system is priceless. , The idea of using masks is to give sharpness by contrasts, sharpening only a small part of a picture to make it pop better.
You may want to use it to emphasize one element of a photograph. , The idea of combining images is to reduce the overall noise and to increase the overall resolution.One can combine images through a panorama software or using Photoshop. , HDR is very controversial, It is about shooting several pictures and then mixing them together to get the most dynamic.
The idea is to overcome the sensor limit, which is to capture only a specific range.HDR offers great possibilities, which can also result in very unreal picture look.
It is to be used carefully, as a tool to reach a goal.HDR can also be applied without giving an unreal look to pictures, it really depends on your vision and your mastering of the process.
Most HDR combining software give you great control over how the pictures will mix.
You can use them to obtain great sharpness.
About the Author
Kayla Kennedy
Experienced content creator specializing in practical skills guides and tutorials.
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