Sharpening in LR3

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matt_wright

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Matt Wright
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Hi guys i am after some advice on the values to use when sharpening my images on LR3 - i really have no idea how much to move each slider and would appreciate the help.

I am looking to sharpen images that i have taken in raw (using Canon 450d and 70-300 IS - if that makes any difference)

Thanks

Matt
 
Sadly it's not quite that simply, the amount of sharpening will vary with image type and output (for web or print and size) for example a portrait may need less sharpening than a gritty derelict building with loads of fine detail.As a very rough guide with your camera (and I haven't one here to test) I'd try around somewhere between
amount 20-50
Radius 0.7-1.5
Detail 25-ish
Masking 5-20
If you hold down the alt key while moving the sliders you can get a better idea of the effect.
 
I can't really help with what values to use but did you know that if you press the ALT key (or whatever the mac equivalent is) whilst moving the slider it shows what is being sharpened.
 
Matt

Wayne is right, it really all depends on the image. Two different images may have a totally different sharpening requirement.

I tend to view the image at 100% when sharpening. Select a suitable one and adjust the sharpening slider 'till the image is just sharp. In general I leave the Radius at 1. I then twiddle the detail slider to see if that improves things. It may be that I then reduce the sharpening level.

Masking is more image dependent, it's how much shadow detail there is and if it needs sharpening.

Also remember you will also be adding some output sharpening as well so it's a good idea to keep input sharpening to a minimum.

Don't forget you can use the Clarity control with the Targeted Adjustment Tool ( Brush) so that local areas can be sharpened selectively if needed.

It does tend to be down to experience, but I would suggest under sharpening at the capture stage is better than over.
 
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As above, values vary from photo to photo, but once you get the hang of it you can do a quick guesstimation of which levels work for which.

But to get you going.... Firstly zoom in to 100% or you won't see the changes

As for the sliders ...

Amount – adjusts the level of sharpening

Radius – sharpens the parts of your picture it thinks are edges. This slider defines how wide an area must be for LR to recognize it as an edge. I don’t usually change this one. More is sharpened with an edge is as the radius increases.

Detail – This slider helps control halos that sometimes appear around parts of your image when sharpening. But if you go too low, no sharpening at all will happen.

Masking – This slider is especially great for faces. It protects non-edge areas from sharpening. The higher the number the more is masked, and so less is sharpened.

If you have a PC, hold the alt key down whilst dragging the sliders - the image goes to grayscale and makes the effect of the sharpening much easier to see/gauge. Option key on a mac will do the same.

Watch this for more gen - http://kelbytv.com/lightroomkillertips/2009/08/19/video-my-sharpening-workflow-in-lightroom/
 
Clarity is midtone sharpening and contrast, whereas sharpen,sharpens everything
 
Darthchaffinch said:
thanks Tom, what's the point of having a clarity adjustment then?!?
Click to expand...

The clarity slider does not actually sharpen it just increases the contrast in mid tones and gives the impression of appearing sharper where there is detail whereas increasing the contrast slider effects all tones.:)
 
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