What are the best sharpening presets or actions for Lightroom/Photoshop?

 

It's important to understand that "best" is often subjective in image editing, as it depends heavily on the specific image and your desired outcome. However, I can provide information on how to approach sharpening with presets and actions, and point out some popular approaches.

Understanding Sharpening in Lightroom and Photoshop

Before diving into presets and actions, it's crucial to grasp the fundamentals of sharpening in these programs:

• Lightroom's Detail Panel:
  • Lightroom's sharpening controls are found in the Detail panel of the Develop module.
  • Key sliders include:
    • Amount: Overall sharpening strength.
    • Radius: Edge thickness.
    • Detail: Fine detail sharpening.
    • Masking: Edge-only sharpening.
• Photoshop's Sharpening Filters:
  • Photoshop offers a broader range of sharpening tools, including:
    • Unsharp Mask.
    • Smart Sharpen.
    • High Pass filter (for advanced users).

Sharpening Presets and Actions: When to Use Them

• Presets and actions can streamline your workflow, especially for repetitive tasks.
• However, sharpening is often image-specific, so presets may require adjustments.
• Use presets as a starting point, and fine-tune them as needed.

Lightroom Sharpening Presets:

• General Sharpening:
  • Many preset packs include general sharpening presets designed for various image types.
  • These often adjust the Amount, Radius, and Detail sliders to provide a balanced sharpening effect.
• Output Sharpening:
  • Specific presets may be tailored for different output formats, such as:
    • Screen (web).
    • Print.
  • Print sharpening typically requires a stronger effect than screen sharpening.
• Portrait Sharpening:
  • Portrait presets often prioritize sharpening eyes and other key features while minimizing skin texture sharpening.
• Landscape Sharpening:
  • Landscape presets often enhance detail and texture within the image.

Photoshop Sharpening Actions:

• Unsharp Mask Actions:
  • Actions can automate the Unsharp Mask filter with pre-defined settings.
• High Pass Sharpening Actions:
  • More advanced actions can automate the High Pass filter workflow, including layer creation and blending modes.
• Output Sharpening Actions:
  • Similar to Lightroom, actions can be created for specific output sharpening needs.

Important Considerations:

• Image Type: The optimal sharpening settings vary depending on the image type (portrait, landscape, etc.).
• Output Size: Sharpening requirements change based on the final image size.
• Personal Preference: Ultimately, the best sharpening is what looks best to you.
• Avoid Over-Sharpening: Over-sharpening can introduce unwanted artifacts.

Where to Find Presets and Actions:

• Many photographers and online resources offer free and paid sharpening presets and actions.
• Websites that offer lightroom presets, often have sharpening specific presets.

Key Takeaway:

While presets and actions can be helpful, it's essential to understand the underlying sharpening principles. Don't rely solely on presets; learn to adjust sharpening settings manually to achieve the best results.