[Leica] Sharpening - was: A very fleeting blossom

[henningw at archiphoto.com (Henning Wulff)]

At 2:03 PM -0800 2/17/06, Adam Bridge wrote:
>Be aware that sharpened files using this software, which I have and
>use, can be VAST because they do use layers and Photoshop doesn't do
>much of anything in compressing layers. So files of >100 MBytes are
>likely.
>
>It also will test your computer's CPU. If you are using full-frame
>scans from film, or from a full-frame digital camera, you're going to
>do some industrial-strength work on that puppy.
>
>I got out of the practice of using it for that reason except on
>finished pieces. Photoshop will, in the next version as I understand
>it, allow better use of memory than it currently does and that should
>help.
>
>So, be aware that you'll be sucking up serious resources of every
>kind: RAM, disk, and CPU when you use these sharpening filters.
>
>Adam BrIDGE

I use the software regularly for my stuff, and use it like this: 
import RAW file, use the input sharpener, flatten the image and then 
do the curves, local contrast enhancement or whatever, and then save 
that when done as my archive file. Then I resize for desired output, 
convert to 8 bit, do the output sharpening and flatten again, and 
maybe save as a high quality jpeg if I think I'll need that exact 
size again soon. Otherwise I don't save that because it's easy to 
redo as required.

In this way the file doesn't increase in size, and the whole thing 
moves along fairly quickly. At the moment I don't have a fast 
machine; my fastest was considered fast 4 years ago. On scanned 16 
bit 4000dpi files the input sharpening is fairly slow and I have to 
watch the progress bars, but not on the output scans. I don't have a 
16mp camera, but the 12.8mp files aren't too bad.


>
>On 2/16/06, Tina Manley <images@infoave.net> wrote:
>>  At 04:43 PM 2/16/2006, you wrote:
>>  >My hat is off to anyone who is expert in sharpening. It's not an easy
>>  >thing to learn.
>>
>>  It's easy if you leave it up to the experts:
>>  http://www.pixelgenius.com/sharpener/index.html
>>
>>  This software has three sharpeners - one capture sharpener that is
>>  used to offset any softness introduced by the digital process or
>>  scanner.  One specialized softener to use like a brush on certain
>>  areas like eyes.  One output sharpener to use depending on the output
>>  - web, inkjet, etc.  Each sharpener has many levels. Everything is
>>  done in layers so you have total control and can fade or flatten
>>  whenever you want.  This is by the Pixel Genius gurus who write all
>>  of the Photoshop How-to books.  It's invaluable to me.
>>
>>  Tina
>>
>>  Tina Manley, ASMP
>>  http://www.tinamanley.com
>>
>>
>>
>>  _______________________________________________
>>  Leica Users Group.
>>  See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Leica Users Group.
>See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information


-- 
    *            Henning J. Wulff
   /|\      Wulff Photography & Design
  /###\   mailto:henningw@archiphoto.com
  |[ ]|     http://www.archiphoto.com