With the vast choices of 3rd party software dedicated to sharpening I'm finding it a struggle to determine (without trying everything) what if any software is considered top of the line for sharpening an image for print. And are they actually better and worth the cost as opposed to just using varying techniques in PS.
I currently always sharpen in the last step before saving a file for printing with USM to varying degrees as necessary (at final size and resolution) with OK results. This being said, I am looking at the image on my screen which may or may not represent the printed look. I'm sure an important note is that I do not print my own images at this time. They are printed by a lab. I can mention the name if it makes a difference. I do all the cropping and resizing and send to their specification on resolution. I am happy with their results, but I'm not sure I am sending an image that is sharpened to the highest levels.
I typically shot wide landscape with attention to specific foreground objects and the deep landscape behind.
I won't mention any of the 3rd party programs I have looked at because I just don't really know enough about any of them, and maybe I'm just banging my head against the wall for nothing.
Thanks everyone for you time.
Two points worth adding. I do all my sharpening on a duplicate layer, which allows me to adjust the effect using the opacity slider in the layers pallete.
Your lab may be the best resource for answering this question, depending on the lab. Big pro labs have decided preferences and certainly have more experience than anyone on here.
After saying that, my eye almost certainly isn't as fine tuned as some of the pro print makers here at NPN, but among the 3rd party programs I've tried, there wasn't a one that did any better than what I can manage with PS. Some were less fiddly and easier to use, but the results were indistinguishable to my eye.
BTW- Our lab does incredible work, and in fact they ask us not to sharpen at all, rather letting them do the work, so I'm WAY out of practice.
Are you unhappy with the results from your current sharpening workflow?
Bruce Fraser's landmark essay titled 'Thoughts on a Sharpening Workflow' recommends the final output sharpening appear slightly 'crunchy' (or oversharpened) on screen to compensate for the slight softening introduced by printing, a recommendation in which I agree after trying it.
Fraser's three stage sharpening technique has been automated and is freely available in a series of PS scripts from The Light's Right Studio. I've been using this 'toolkit' for a number of years now and am extremely pleased with it.
The free PDF file at the same link titled 'Sharpening Your Photographs' is well worth downloading and reading.
I've been using PK Sharpener that I believe was written by the late Bruce Fraser. I like it a lot. Although I do use the sharpening done in the current version of ACR 4.xx as the "first step" and bypass the "capture sharpening" of PK sharpener. In "step 2" the "creative sharpening" I like the brushes that allow precise selective application.
The printing sharpening is the final step which you apply after the image is re sized. All of these steps work in layers that can be adjusted like Hank suggests.
Can you do all this yourself in PhotoShop? Of course, but it is a lot of extra steps done manually. The PK Sharpener automates the applications that you can then fine tune to taste and needs.
I use Photokit Sharpener as well and have been pleased with the results - it was writen by Bruce, Jeff Schewe, and two other gents I believe.
It's a great program that does the capture, "creative", and output sharpening on layers for you to tweak after the fact. Good flexibility - but reading the directions are a must as using the right settings dramatically influences the success of the sharpening layers.
If the lab you use wants you to do the finish sharpening then this is easily worth the $99 in my book (but I can be very lazy in front of the computer). Hank's got a good point that you'd best check with you lab first - the guy I use does all the final sharpening and he's good.
If you're interested in printing your own stuff, or getting further into the process, I'd recommend "From Camera to Print" tutorial over at Luminous Landscape - it is $35, but helped me tremendously with both sharpening and soft proofing. They cover a bit of sharpening in their newest "Camera Raw" tutorial as well.
Alex has a point in learning to decide which sharpening effect you want. I often create a duplicate image and do 2 different sharpening techniques and compare the two side by side. I then delete the image I don't prefer.
Thanks everyone, your knowledge and sharing is very much appreciated. I contacted my lab, I have been using MPIX by the way. They said their "printer" does a small amount of sharpening and and not to sharpen the file sent to them. But a small amount, I'm not sure how much that is, so I'm still a little in limbo about how much they actually do.
I will consider all your great comments.
Thanks again.
I've been using Mpix for several years now, and this is the first I heard that they sharpen images!
I sure hope this isn't the case, and will inquire about this later myself. I'll let you know what I hear....
Conversation with your lab(s) is good! One of ours explained that in their experience, the sharpening method and degree of sharpening can get pretty specific to the printer being used and especially the print size and degree of enlargement. They said that while we were welcome to sharpen if we wanted, we wouldn't be too happy with the results if we sharpened too much or inappropriately for their machines. I.e., it's better to have one of their seasoned techs add sharpening as needed than be stuck with unfortunate sharpening choices in a file, as received. They would rather we didn't sharpen at all. Another of our labs is very specific on the type and degree of sharpening that works best beforehand, following which their techs will add a little more as appropriate.
Yet another way to look at it, if their sharpening jobs doesn't delight you, you can always send it back, but if your sharpening has cobbled things up and they print it as-is, you aren't going to be sending it back without writing another check!
A good sign of a good lab is their willingness to talk about things like this and get really specific in their recommendations.
Discussion
9 repliesI currently always sharpen in the last step before saving a file for printing with USM to varying degrees as necessary (at final size and resolution) with OK results. This being said, I am looking at the image on my screen which may or may not represent the printed look. I'm sure an important note is that I do not print my own images at this time. They are printed by a lab. I can mention the name if it makes a difference. I do all the cropping and resizing and send to their specification on resolution. I am happy with their results, but I'm not sure I am sending an image that is sharpened to the highest levels.
I typically shot wide landscape with attention to specific foreground objects and the deep landscape behind.
I won't mention any of the 3rd party programs I have looked at because I just don't really know enough about any of them, and maybe I'm just banging my head against the wall for nothing.
Thanks everyone for you time.
Brad
Your lab may be the best resource for answering this question, depending on the lab. Big pro labs have decided preferences and certainly have more experience than anyone on here.
After saying that, my eye almost certainly isn't as fine tuned as some of the pro print makers here at NPN, but among the 3rd party programs I've tried, there wasn't a one that did any better than what I can manage with PS. Some were less fiddly and easier to use, but the results were indistinguishable to my eye.
BTW- Our lab does incredible work, and in fact they ask us not to sharpen at all, rather letting them do the work, so I'm WAY out of practice.
Bruce Fraser's landmark essay titled 'Thoughts on a Sharpening Workflow' recommends the final output sharpening appear slightly 'crunchy' (or oversharpened) on screen to compensate for the slight softening introduced by printing, a recommendation in which I agree after trying it.
Fraser's three stage sharpening technique has been automated and is freely available in a series of PS scripts from The Light's Right Studio. I've been using this 'toolkit' for a number of years now and am extremely pleased with it.
The free PDF file at the same link titled 'Sharpening Your Photographs' is well worth downloading and reading.
The printing sharpening is the final step which you apply after the image is re sized. All of these steps work in layers that can be adjusted like Hank suggests.
Can you do all this yourself in PhotoShop? Of course, but it is a lot of extra steps done manually. The PK Sharpener automates the applications that you can then fine tune to taste and needs.
It's a great program that does the capture, "creative", and output sharpening on layers for you to tweak after the fact. Good flexibility - but reading the directions are a must as using the right settings dramatically influences the success of the sharpening layers.
If the lab you use wants you to do the finish sharpening then this is easily worth the $99 in my book (but I can be very lazy in front of the computer). Hank's got a good point that you'd best check with you lab first - the guy I use does all the final sharpening and he's good.
If you're interested in printing your own stuff, or getting further into the process, I'd recommend "From Camera to Print" tutorial over at Luminous Landscape - it is $35, but helped me tremendously with both sharpening and soft proofing. They cover a bit of sharpening in their newest "Camera Raw" tutorial as well.
Good Luck,
I will consider all your great comments.
Thanks again.
Brad
I sure hope this isn't the case, and will inquire about this later myself. I'll let you know what I hear....
Yet another way to look at it, if their sharpening jobs doesn't delight you, you can always send it back, but if your sharpening has cobbled things up and they print it as-is, you aren't going to be sending it back without writing another check!
A good sign of a good lab is their willingness to talk about things like this and get really specific in their recommendations.