Darktable: 3 Methods of Sharpening in Darktable

Darktable: 3 Methods of Sharpening in Darktable - best viewed at maximum size and resolution!
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In this video I'll explain and demonstrate the three methods of sharpening commonly used in Darktable:
Sharpening Module
Diffuse and Sharpen
Contrast Equalizer
It's important to remember that the effects of all these modules can be further controlled by the use of Parametric and Drawn Masks, AND with the mask Opacity control (and Blend Modes - another video!).
Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
01:09 The 'De Facto' comparator - Capture Sharpening in Raw Therapee
03:44 - Method 1 - Sharpening Module
09:27 - Method 2 - Diffuse & Sharpen (3 different presets)
16:12 - Method 3 - Contrast Equalizer
Please take note of the extra sharpening effect controls in each of the module masking panels!
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[@Eigil_Skovgaard]

Thank you, Andy. - Should anybody wish to dive deeper into the secrets of the Diffuse and sharpen module, I highly recommend Boris Hajdukovic's 'Darktable Episode 51' (yes, the number is not accidental, it's classified stuff, and the initial ball part cannot be jumped over, if you want to fly).

[@europlatus]

Hi Andy, nice video. Another method of masking the sharpening effect is to use the Details Threshold slider. You'll only see it on RAW photos and I think you need the scene referred blending options. But basically it works the same as the sharpen masking feature in Lightroom. The slider limits the effect to the detail level you set. It works really well and is available in almost all modules. Cheers!

[@sfink16]

Andy, you can also use method 1, in an edge sharpening mode, by using the Blend mode "Difference" and playing with the radius and amount sliders. After you see the edges, you can go back to normal mode. You wouldn't have to use mask at all to eliminate the sky, if done right.

[@rakeshhmlrainnaphotography]

Thanks Mr. Andy for this very helpful piece of Information.👍

[@jhmnieuwenhuis]

Very enlightning video Andy. Thanks !

[@AndyAstbury]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidjustice9036]

Thanks Andy

[@Mike-br4tw]

just now Thanks Andy. That was very helpful. I was happy to see that you didn't find the need to delve into all those sliders in d or s. Your simple and straight forward approach works great. However, it's too bad that DT can't compete with the RT capture sharpening. I would imagine that for those who wish to do their edits in DT, PS would be a good place to do final sharpening?

[@emrg777]

Andy Robert Hutton has on of the only videos I know that nicely demonstrates the edges Feature... it's there to mitigate halo and dark outlines on tradition that you get with contrast adjustments... I'm off to bed but I can dig up the video if you like. DT also can use an old school high pass filter and blend in overlay or soft light but it's an old display referred module for DT.

[@AndyAstbury]

Cheers Todd, I'll find it! Did you ever come across that chat on the forums mentioning 'porting' RT CS to DT? If it's at all possible, I wish they would.

[@AndyAstbury]

Found the porting reference here discuss.pixls.us/t/new-tool-capture-sharpening/14197/77 - Ingo's comment Nov '19 "Some thoughts about capture sharpening: " If someone wants to port it to DT, it’s an almost perfect candidate for OpenCL usage as the main step is to transfer the data to GPU memory, then do the iterations, then transfer back to main memory if needed."

[@joaovtaveira]

Another sharpening module is highpass.

[@AndyAstbury]

I did not mention it, as it's bloody awful, and not worthy of consideration any more. According to the manual, it is no longer recommended, and has been superseded by the contrast equalizer and local contrast modules.

[@joaovtaveira]

@@AndyAstbury no it is not, it's great and I love to use it.

[@AndyAstbury]

You know better than the developers then....

[@joaovtaveira]

@@AndyAstbury basically. yes, the only thing that matters to me is that it works bell.

[@andrefouche8725]

Good video but your blaspheming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is not necessary.