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April

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Edit My Images
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Hi

I have read on more than one occasion that all raw formats benefit from increasing the clarity. But by how much? When i move the slider I do not see any difference on the image. Is there a rough guide?
 
What program are you using?

Lightoom 4's clarity slider has a huge effect on the image.
 
CS5 but still learning what does what - very trial and error
 
As above, the clarity slider in LR4 is very sensitive. However, I don't use Photoshop so I can't compare directly.
 
the one that says clarity - to the right so the number increases
 
Hi April, "clarity" changes the appearance of the image by altering the mid-tone contrast and making it appear sharper. This is different to the "contrast" slider which alters the contrast of the whole image to achieve the same thing. Clarity is, therefore, a selective sharpening tool, although you can't choose which parts are going to be affected.

This can be a bit hard to see sometimes, depending on the subject matter and the number of pixels containing mid-tone colours. As far as I can tell, from using both CS6 and Lightroom 4, there's little difference in the visual effect of this slider.

Hope that helps :)
 
I sometimes reduce clarity and then use the brush tool to add clarity, alter exposure, etc to selected areas of the image. Gives a nice effect sometimes.
 
driver_wedge said:
I sometimes reduce clarity and then use the brush tool to add clarity, alter exposure, etc to selected areas of the image. Gives a nice effect sometimes.
Click to expand...

Oh yes, couldn't agree more :thumbs:
 
well that explains why I can't see a difference - next stop was going to be the optician
 
Bristolian said:
Hi April, "clarity" changes the appearance of the image by altering the mid-tone contrast and making it appear sharper. This is different to the "contrast" slider which alters the contrast of the whole image to achieve the same thing. Clarity is, therefore, a selective sharpening tool, although you can't choose which parts are going to be affected.

This can be a bit hard to see sometimes, depending on the subject matter and the number of pixels containing mid-tone colours. As far as I can tell, from using both CS6 and Lightroom 4, there's little difference in the visual effect of this slider.

Hope that helps :)
Click to expand...

In my Lightroom there is a huge visual difference when you one the clarity tool. Even a small amount drastically changes the image. At 100% on the slider its near HDR style levels of weirdness.
 
TCR4x4 said:
In my Lightroom there is a huge visual difference when you one the clarity tool. Even a small amount drastically changes the image. At 100% on the slider its near HDR style levels of weirdness.
Click to expand...

Tom, what I was trying to convey to the OP was that with some images (e.g. lots of blue sky with little/no edges) the effect of the clarity slider is less obvious .. or at least that's my experience :D
 
April said:
Hi

I have read on more than one occasion that all raw formats benefit from increasing the clarity.
Click to expand...


Some might.. some might not. Like any post processing technique, you use it where appropriate.
 
I am with Bristolian on this - the clarity slider only effects the mid tones. If there are few mid tones in the photo then little change will be seen. If there are significant mid tones (visible by a high mountain in the histogram) then you should clearly see the difference when you move the slider.

Personally I use this carefully and only increase to a measure of about 10.
 
Negative clarity, applied with a brush (LR4) makes a reasonable quick and dirty skin smoother.
 
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