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This post is the 3rd opportunity for you to enter my contest for a free copy of Photoshop Elements 7/Premiere Elements 7! See details after the post.
It never fails that the cutest pictures of my kids are slightly less than perfect photographically. Often, they aren’t quite sharpe enough – I find it hard to concentrate on focusing properly while trying to make sure that BigGirl doesn’t drop her baby sister while they pose!
So, needless to say, I’ve spent lots of time researching ways to improve sharpness using Photoshop Elements and what I’ve found is below. If one method doesn’t help your picture, try the next, or even a combination of them. Each works a bit differently.
Keep in mind when sharpening that, except for the camera Raw adjustments, always shapren last and always view you picture at 100% zoon to get a good look at how well the sharpening is working. You don’t want to over-sharpen, which creates halos and graininess. And you sure don’t want to lost that sweet softness in your kids’ skin! The settings in the tutorials below are just starting points and will probably vary from shot to shot.
- Clarity Slider in Adobe Camera Raw
- Details Tab in Adobe Camera Raw
- Unsharp Mask
- Unsharp Mask Times Two
- Unsharp Mask in Luminosity Blend Mode
- Adjust Sharpness Command
- High Pass Method
- Sharpen Tool
- Sharpen Edges Only
- If All Else Fails When Sharpening in Photoshop Elements
To enter the giveaway for Photoshop Element 7/Premiere Elements 7, comment once on each post that I make during the month of December (through December 21). For this poist, why don’t you share your favorite sharpening method?
You can also comment on these posts if you haven’t already:
Scott Kelby’s Books on Digital Photography
Photoshop Elements 7 Giveaway!
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I’ve been working with my free trial version of PSE. I love it!!!
I’ve just begun shooting in raw so your tips on using the clarity slider were particularly helpful. Thanks!! Thanks for the chance to win PE7!
I’m a big chicken in photoshop so I usually use iPhoto to edit and sharpen my images, though the tip about it being the last thing I do is something that I really need to remember.
Thanks for the great info. I haven’t found a sharpening method I am too thrilled with yet, but will definitely try your recommendations.
I would like to try these tips.
Pretty overwhelmed with all the info!! I’m a long-time scrapbooker, but just getting into the (addictive and expensive) hobby of photography!
Thanks for sharing!
For sharpening, I have many many methods I use, each one has its own purpose. My favorite one is to apply sharpening is to duplicate my original layer (CTRL J) and then apply the Unsharp mask at an extreme sharpness, then adjust the layer blend modes, and layer opacity until it looks just right. This works nicely to sharpen the photo while still maintaining, the integrety of the original, plus if I want to only affect part of the image I can erase parts of the sharpened layer that I don’t want, or I can use a layer mask (adjustment layer in Elements).
I’d like to know how to take a “great” picture to begin with! LOL! These are great tips, however, and I intend to play with every one of them! As soon as I am retired! LOL!
I stick with the unsharp mask but just recently discovered the camera raw options. That’s next on my list of learning tools since I usually shoot in jpeg.
Just found you thru Google Reader! Would love to have Photoshop!
I have PSE 5.0 and I tend to always over sharpen . . . thanks for the tips.
Thanks for the really helpful links in this post! I usually just use the clarity tab in Adobe RAW (PSE5). I am going to check out your other suggestions, though. Thanks for the chance to win PSE7!
Thanks for the tip. Thank you for the opportunity to win PSE 7
I usually use the unsharp mask. Then I adjust it, because i don’t like it “too” sharp! Your posts are great, I just booked your blog so I can read more! Thank!
Thanks I will definetly be checking this one out regularly… my cuties just move too fast some times
i’ve been doing my sharpening in lightroom – using a combination of the clarity slider and the detail sharpening.
Thanks for the info, I seem to be doing more damage thatn good with my sharpening lately.
Thank you for this post! I just got a d90, and I can already tell that learning how to shoot a sharp shot is what I need to learn NOW. But it’s always good to know how to fix it in PS. So far the only sharpening I’ve done is whatever is automatically done in Adobe Camera Raw editor.
i usually use the sharpening layer that is part of the action from Rita’s cofeeteaphotography.blogspot.com, which I use various actions that she has available. Otherwise, I use the unsharp mask in PSE6
Sharpening has always been a mystery to me. Thanks.
I’m still figuring it all out! Can’t wait to study your list in detail and play!
duplicate layer, high pass, blend soft light
I really haven’t tried sharpening much in PSE, I usually use PSP for any photo corrections and then follow up with PSE for my digital scrapping
I am so excited to have found your website. Can’t wait to read and learn – thanks for being so generous with your time and helping all your fellow photographers around the world!
I have an action called TFog but I can’t remember where I picked it up. And I love how it sharpens my photos. I’m all about actions!!
If I do anything, I use unsharp.
I like using clarity slider in camera raw and the details tab. I can’t wait to try the setting use suggested for the detail tab. I also have tried the unsharp mask for sharpening the eyes. I thought it worked ok.
Never learned how to do this before!
I often forget to view my pictures at 100% and freak myself out thinking that I have totally screwed up the picture! I need help with my in camera sharpening too though!
I like using clarity slider in camera raw and the details tab. I can’t wait to try the setting you suggested for the detail tab. I also have tried the unsharp mask for sharpening the eyes. I thought it worked ok.
I’ve followed Kelby’s advice and NEVER sharpen in RAW…. but I know I didn’t know all 10 of those ways of sharpening.
I usually use one of the actions found on Coffee shop that kinda softens the picture…it covers up what doesnt look perfect
I would love to be able to sharpen just parts of a photo.
Thank you for the tips, anytime I try to sharpen a photo it turns out bad, so I usually just avoid it.
I’ve only sharpened using the sharpen tool on my photo software that came with my camera – I would love to learn more!
That’s a GREAT tip! I’ve just come across some sharpening actions too and wondered when to run them. Thanx!
Clarity slider a lot in RAW and unsharp mask in pse. =)
I have oversharpened before – I use Picasa and it’s hard to tell. Also it does it automatically so there’s no way to gauge it. I would LOVE to win PSE!
Sharpening? I’ve never used it–looks like I’ve got something to study….
I tend to use most of the auto sharpening tools, so I really need to learn how to do this stuff on my own and get away from auto a little! Thanks!
Currently just ubsharp masl but will have to try some of the tips on here
i tend to use the auto sharpen in pse 6. I am a beginner
i have to have blur unintentionally so this is a great tutorial
Thanks for the diff. options. I use the sharpening method on PSE 6 and it works well. Have had trouble with sharpening actions however – the printed copy if all wonky.,….?
I like the results of sharpening, but sometimes forget to add it to my workflow. I have a book by Scott Kelby on Elements and his chapter on sharpening has been my guide. Thank you for adding to my knowledge on this subject.
i have never had much luck with sharpening….will have to research the methods you shared. thanx
i use picassa
I’ve never really used anything to sharpen. I just thought the less than perfect pictures were a lost cause. I am going to try some of your tips right now!
The only thing I know how to do is use the Sharpening tool on Picnik. Apparently I have a ton to learn!
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