What are some common sharpening mistakes to avoid?

 

Avoiding the "Crunch": Common Sharpening Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Sharpening is a critical step in post-processing, but it's also one of the easiest to overdo. The quest for crisp, detailed images can sometimes lead us down a path of over-sharpening, resulting in undesirable artifacts and a generally unpleasant look. Let's explore some common sharpening mistakes and learn how to avoid them.

1. Over-Sharpening: The Most Common Culprit

• The Problem: Over-sharpening introduces harsh edges, halos around objects, and amplified noise. It creates a "crunchy" or artificial look that detracts from the image's quality.
• How to Avoid It:
  • Start Subtle: Begin with minimal sharpening adjustments and gradually increase them until you achieve the desired effect.
  • Zoom to 100%: Examine your image closely at 100% magnification to accurately assess the sharpening effect.
  • Use Masking: Selectively apply sharpening to specific areas of your image, avoiding areas prone to noise (like skies or smooth surfaces).
  • Consider Output: Sharpening for print requires a different approach than sharpening for web display.

2. Sharpening Too Early in the Workflow

• The Problem: Sharpening should be one of the last steps in your editing process. Applying sharpening before making other adjustments, such as noise reduction or color correction, can amplify existing issues.
• How to Avoid It:
  • Follow a Logical Workflow: Complete all other necessary adjustments before applying sharpening.
  • Noise Reduction First: If your image contains noise, address it before sharpening, as sharpening will accentuate noise.

3. Ignoring the Radius and Threshold Settings

• The Problem: Many photographers only focus on the "amount" slider, neglecting the "radius" and "threshold" settings. This can lead to uneven or excessive sharpening.
• How to Avoid It:
  • Understand Radius: The radius controls the width of the edges being sharpened. A smaller radius targets finer details, while a larger radius affects broader edges.
  • Use Threshold Wisely: The threshold setting determines the minimum contrast difference required for sharpening to occur. This helps prevent sharpening in areas with subtle tonal variations, reducing noise.
  • Experiment: Take time to experiment with these settings to find the optimal balance for your image.

4. Sharpening Uniformly Across the Entire Image

• The Problem: Applying the same level of sharpening to all areas of an image can lead to unwanted artifacts in areas that don't require it.
• How to Avoid It:
  • Use Layer Masks: Employ layer masks to selectively apply sharpening to specific areas of your image, such as the subject or areas with fine detail.
  • Targeted Sharpening: Different areas of an image may require different levels of sharpening. For example, you might want to sharpen the eyes of a portrait more than the skin.

5. Sharpening Already Sharp Images.

• The Problem: Some photos are already very sharp from the camera. Applying more sharpening creates unwanted artifacts.
• How to Avoid It:
  • Evaluate the Image: Before applying any sharpening, closely look at the image. If the image is already sharp, very little, or no sharpening is needed.
  • Less is more: When dealing with very sharp images, err on the side of caution.

6. Not Considering the Output Medium

• The Problem: Images intended for different output mediums (e.g., print, web, social media) require different levels of sharpening.
• How to Avoid It:
  • Sharpen for Print: Images intended for print typically require more sharpening than those for web display.
  • Web Sharpening: Images for web display should be sharpened slightly to compensate for compression.
  • Resize and then sharpen: If an image is being resized, the sharpening should be done after the resizing process.

The Golden Rule: Less is More

When it comes to sharpening, the golden rule is "less is more." A subtle sharpening effect is often more effective than an aggressive one. By understanding these common mistakes and how to avoid them, you can achieve crisp, detailed images without introducing unwanted artifacts.