Unsharp Mask / Sharpen Image and the difference is?

[Andysnap]

As in the title really, I just realised that they seem to do the same thing but I assume that they don't. Bit of a noob question really but I really am that carp in photoshop. :shrug:

Andy

 

[specialman]

Unsharp Mask is derived from printing days when you'd do some jiggery pokery with layered negs to increase edge contrast by some kind of unsharpening... sound mad but read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsharp_masking

Read about sharpening here: http://www.bythom.com/sharpening.htm

 

[Hawker]

In it's most basic, yes they do the same job, just with USM you've got a lot more control, most times I find if I just click the 'sharpen image' option it's far too harsh.

 

[Andysnap]

Thanks guys, very useful links.

Andy