I've been lurking here off and on for a long time, but I recently saw several references to "Marc's sharpening technique", which I'm guessing refers to Marc Adamus? I gather that it involved sharpening in 2 stages at full resolution, before sizing the image for the web, but I'd like more details, as that's something I fuss with constantly. If someone remembers which post that was discussed in, could they please let me know? I've gone back through a bunch of his posts, but there's a LOT of them!
Thanks!
"Sharpening for the Web —Marc Adamus
- Take full res image and reduce size to between 1000 and 1300 pixels. As much as 1300 for detailed forest scenes and such, 1000 for rock and more simple images. Apply "Sharpen" filter (easy enough right?) twice.
- This will create a very oversharpened, noisy, mid-size image.
- Further reduce image size to your web preference, such as 600 or 700 pixels.
- When reduced, this "tricks" Photoshop into applying an ultra-fine USM that you simply cannot acheive through other methods and all with maybe a 5-10% increase in file size vs. traditional methods - which is rarely a problem (I saved this one on 10)
- Play around with this technique and make it work for you. Every image is different. Sometimes I'll apply a sharpen filter 3 times at 1500 pixels and then reduce for an even finer sharpness (this is what I did for "winter dream"), but other times it has too much of an adverse effect on color. Sometimes I'll just lasso an area (here the middleground) and apply the filter 3-times and 2 to the rest of the image before reducing. Just experiment.
- Last, keep in mind not to sharpen skies too much as this will unecessarily increase file size. Do local touch-ups with 'sharp brush' to improve textures/definition in sky and water."
This is a direct quote from Marc's tip at the in the PNWNP regional group. There are lots of good tips posted in their 'Tips and Tricks' pages. Check it out!
-PB
Posted by Josh Anderson on August 27, 2006 at 8:45 PM
I just started experimenting with this technique today and I am pleased with the results.
Thanks for sharing Marc.
Posted by Marc Adamus on August 27, 2006 at 10:45 PM
The information Preston provides has since been updated. You can find it HERE
The previous was just a copy/paste from an old post. The update reads more clearly.
I've been amazed at the popularity this technique has gained since I discovered it while just messing around. I know hundreds of people on many sites using it. It's easy and it's the best thing out there for most web images IMO.
Discussion
5 repliesThanks!
Here ya go...
"Sharpening for the Web —Marc Adamus
- Take full res image and reduce size to between 1000 and 1300 pixels. As much as 1300 for detailed forest scenes and such, 1000 for rock and more simple images. Apply "Sharpen" filter (easy enough right?) twice.
- This will create a very oversharpened, noisy, mid-size image.
- Further reduce image size to your web preference, such as 600 or 700 pixels.
- When reduced, this "tricks" Photoshop into applying an ultra-fine USM that you simply cannot acheive through other methods and all with maybe a 5-10% increase in file size vs. traditional methods - which is rarely a problem (I saved this one on 10)
- Play around with this technique and make it work for you. Every image is different. Sometimes I'll apply a sharpen filter 3 times at 1500 pixels and then reduce for an even finer sharpness (this is what I did for "winter dream"), but other times it has too much of an adverse effect on color. Sometimes I'll just lasso an area (here the middleground) and apply the filter 3-times and 2 to the rest of the image before reducing. Just experiment.
- Last, keep in mind not to sharpen skies too much as this will unecessarily increase file size. Do local touch-ups with 'sharp brush' to improve textures/definition in sky and water."
This is a direct quote from Marc's tip at the in the PNWNP regional group. There are lots of good tips posted in their 'Tips and Tricks' pages. Check it out!
-PB
Thanks for sharing Marc.
The previous was just a copy/paste from an old post. The update reads more clearly.
I've been amazed at the popularity this technique has gained since I discovered it while just messing around. I know hundreds of people on many sites using it. It's easy and it's the best thing out there for most web images IMO.
I've tried sharpening several times with USM, but never something like this. Cool; I can hardly wait to try it!
Thanks again.
Thanks for the update on your original procedure!
-PB