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jenniei57365787
Participating Frequently
August 12, 2020
Answered

Looking for Help on PS Sharpening

  • August 12, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 472 views
Hi there.  I was wondering if somebody has some tips for me on a sharpening issue in PS.
 
When I do photo editing I am loving the PS Smart Sharpen tool.  However, on some images it doesn't seem to work properly.  When I am in the image and utilize the Filter-Smart Sharpen tool and make all my adjustments, the image looks great - before I click OK.  But then when I click "OK" the image appears to have taken a little sharpening but not to what it was when I was in the tool.
 
To clarify, I am not talking about the image in the little Preview screen while working in the tool.  I'm talking about the actual image which I am adjusting.
 
Any idea what's happening??
 
Thanks.
Jennie
This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Per Berntsen

Are you viewing the image at 100%?

To evaluate sharpness and noise, you have to view the image at 100%, where one image pixel is represented by one screen pixel.Any other magnification will be inaccurate and misleading because the image has been scaled.

2 replies

Per Berntsen
Community Expert
Per BerntsenCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
August 13, 2020

Are you viewing the image at 100%?

To evaluate sharpness and noise, you have to view the image at 100%, where one image pixel is represented by one screen pixel.Any other magnification will be inaccurate and misleading because the image has been scaled.

    J
    jenniei57365787Author
    Participating Frequently
    August 14, 2020

    Thank you Per.  This simple solution has helped.  It would appear that when I sharpen an image which I am viewing at less than 100%, what I am adjusting is not translating across 100%.  Makes sense!

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 12, 2020

    Is Smart Sharpen applied to your topmost layer?

    What's your Layer's opacity & blend mode?

    What's your smart filter's opacity?

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    J
    jenniei57365787Author
    Participating Frequently
    August 13, 2020

    Thank you for your response Nancy.

    Besides my background layer, I have one Adjustment layer open - Levels.

    I create a duplicate background layer to preserve the original image, and do my Sharpening on the duplicate layer.

    On top of the duplicate layer is my Levels layer, three layers in all.

    I do not apply sharpening while on the topmost Levels layer, because from this layer the Preview screen does not show when I'm in the sharpening tool.

    Instead of creating a duplicate Background layer I know that I can Convert to Smart Filter from the Filter menu to create a Smart object, but I instead use the duplicate layer - I don't know if this matters.  I have tried both but the results don't seem to differ.

    My blend modes are Normal and opacity at 100%.

    My Smart Sharpen mode is at 100%, but it does not specify anything about opacity.

    Your insights are appreciated.

    Jennie

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 13, 2020

    For best results, you should perform all retouching & adjustments BEFORE you sharpen. 

    Then create a Stamp Visible layer on top with Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E (Win) or Cmd + Option + Shift + E (Mac). 

    This new topmost layer is the one you will duplicate and sharpen.

     

    See this 11 min tutorial.

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
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