Hidden trick to perfectly sharpen photos in Photoshop

The best way to sharpen photos in Photoshop. Colin Shares a powerful Photoshop tip to help you get much better sharpening results. Learn 3 different ways, Smart Sharpen, High Pass and Unsharp mask with a sneaky twist.
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#Photoshop #sharpen #photos

[@TraciBrennan]

Unsharp mask is my go to...and has been for a lot of years. But the tip about blend if is pure gold.

[@DjC4]

I really appreciate how concise your tutorials are. Super clear. No fluff. Even though I've been using photoshop for decades it's nice to revisit tricks and see how others achieve similar effects with different methods. Great stuff.

[@lyndaplaylist1]

Thank you, Colin! These settings are incredible and I appreciate your explanation of the different sharpening tools. You are a Photoshop virtuoso!

[@davestokes3446]

I've used the darker blend mode to remove halos; hadn't thought of blend-if. Great tip, thanks.

[@luis_soares_photography1230]

I personally use high pass as a smart filter and I mask it, so I can sharpen the image only where I want, and stay away from the skys and clouds for example, and also I can change the value if needed. Great tip on the blending mode with unsharp mask.

[@bassplayer60]

so you use an inverted mask?

[@luis_soares_photography1230]

@@bassplayer60 yes! And I "paint" the effect only where os needed.

[@kevinconnery1974]

The Threshold setting in Unsharp Mask is a great way to prevent noise sharpening, and is often overlooked. That makes it my favorite, usually combined with a blend-if and/or some additional masking

[@haaa]

I once used the high pass because it gives me more control but since I discovered the Lr and Ps (in camera raw) way with the masking slider I find it equally effective and quicker. Thank you good to know the fx trick too.

[@samirzarrouk]

High Pass has been always my favorite which I combine with a Luminosity mask to target only the dark areas, kind of similar to your approach when you used blending options.

[@rodshelley1170]

Lots of really cool stuff to play with! I really like the combination of those filters. I'm going to spend some time playing around with that! Thanks, Colin!

[@seefroggysee]

I often use the High Pass method. Never knew or even thought to use Blend If. I like it and will be trying it out. Thanks!

[@timobrien7698]

Thanks for such a clear description of different approaches and effects

[@jlopez7596]

Thanks for the explaining and showing the differences.

[@Digital_Art_Stylz]

Awesome blend - if tip 👍 I use USM and High Pass - masks on both to be more selective. Started experimenting with LAB colour for sharpening as well (from another PSC video) Thanks Colin

[@jennywiseman6971]

I've always used high pass for output sharpening, but used the Hard Light blend mode. I will now try Overlay.

[@KeithRRT]

I have used High Pass quite a bit, but I haven't used Smart Sharpen or Unsharp Mask very much at all. I will definitely be experimenting with SS and USM moving forward. Thanks for the great tutorial, as always!

[@SidBonkers51]

I generally use High Pass Sharpening and alternate between Blend Modes of Overlay and Soft Light depending on the amount of high pass Ive added, and reduce the opacity to suit.

[@BrownWatson]

For sharpening portraits I have incorporated various effects into an action, mainly High Pass, then masking, inverting the mask and then highlighting eyes and mouth and it seems to work quite well. I've just tried the blending options effect after this and, to be honest there is very little difference IMHO. Unsharp mask with blending mode works well on my landscape example as does Smart Sharpen. The Blending Option is a revelation. Thanks Colin.

[@klaus_s]

Hi Colin, great overview about these different methods. I will try them all, especially for my Fuji files. Until Lfl tonight. 😎👏👏👏👏

[@BURTBROWN]

I LIKE this method... Very nice and I never thought to use the blend mode!!! Very effective!!!

[@SelvamME]

Awesome tip colin. Thanks for it

[@andersonroman7321]

Thank you, Colin. That helped me a lot!

[@dboyd8628]

Very informative! Thanks for a great lesson.

[@redflame44]

awesome... i always wondered about the unsharpen mask how much the hightlights popped afterwards.... thanks for the info... cheers!!

[@margaretwood1255]

Thanks Colin, I learned something new today!

[@breicker6107]

Thank you for that tutorial - never really understood those sharpening tools.

[@ralphb513]

Another great video. Filling my "toolbox" with all kinds of tricks and techniques. Thanks.

[@photoshopcafe]

yay

[@mguerra79]

I follow your content for, I don't know, lots of years (if you have some sort of way to see it, you can check it out, but 10 or more years, I guess, at least the newsletter), and for quite some time that, you or any other youtuber that I was watching, gave me much pleasure to see something so easy that encapsulates so much value in a «tiny» video. Congrats! Keep them coming! Stay safe!

[@TeddyCavachon]

I’m a long time PS user (since V1 in 1990) but never too old to learn new tricks. A method I use for USM is to first apply USM then go to edit > Fade USM and change the mode to Luminosity. Then move the slider to 0 then back up to the desired level. The way this works is that the color management engine “under the covers” actually operates on the imported RAW file in Lab mode then converts to RGB per the RGB colorspace profile selected for editing (e.g., Abobe RGB). If looking at the channels in Lab mode you notice that all the detail information is in the L (Luminance) channel and changing the mode of the Edit > Fade USM to it does a cleaner job of sharpening. Another sharpening trick I use for fur and feathers is to add a second dupe layer and over sharpen, then do the same Edit>FadeUSM (Luminosity) step to taste visually with the slider. Fur and feather both have microscopic flat facets which reflect a million 3D shape defining specular highlight the digital capture / de-mosaic process turns to mush. Selectively blending in the over sharpened layer with a mask over the normally sharpened one restores the sparkle, especially in black fur where the specular highlights are the primary clue for 3D shape in a 2D image.

[@nicolekoballa1570]

Just saved my favorite photo. Thank you!!!

[@andyallard5990]

Excellent Colin going to have to give them all a go thank you

[@rajeshasthana5165]

High Pass is certainly the way to sharpen images. Thank you

[@christopherdias2355]

Wonderful ! Thanks a lot.... this will help me a LOT!

[@manuelkonig7944]

Great Technique! Thanks a Lot!

[@hollypotts721]

Thank you - really useful

[@velocitypta]

awesome pic sharpening trick thx

[@WordGirlPhotoEdits]

Thanks, this was really helpful!

[@PedroMiranda-dd5eb]

Awesome explanation

[@cimage1000]

I use only High Pass since last 10-12 years. I find better control and simple operations. But was good to see all the 3 methods simultaneously. Thanks

[@photoshopcafe]

They all have their uses, but I also mainly use HP

[@londonken]

excellent explanation. Well done

[@kirtg1]

Thanks

[@bySterling]

Fantastic tips!

[@karimlaafou9253]

Thanks man i learn a Lot best regard

[@morray411]

Love your tutorials and this is another good one. A few months ago I thought I'd never learn Photoshop but your thorough, reasonably paced tutorials have allowed me to at least explore the possibilities. Thank you Colin!

[@M_freedomOfSpeech]

Hi there, thanks for your videos, I ask ... How can I distinguish or calculate how much sharpening should I use on the photo depending on the size of the print? For example, I understand that an 8 × 10 "needs less sharpening than a 50x60", how can I know how much to use in it? Thank you!!

[@SoundChaserStudios]

The threshold in unsharp mask limits the sharpening to hi contrast and edge areas, I generally go between 1 and 5 so it doesn't effect soft areas like sky. Nice video,,,thanks!

[@luistorresfoto]

dark blend works great but High Pass is amazing!

[@dandewan7072]

Very informative video. It is so easy to ruin a photo with sharpening. Your sharpening tip will be very helpful. Much appreciated. Thanks Colin.

[@mvia236]

Great video. Because of the subtleties you just described, I avoid AI sharpening programs, at least until they get better at discerning what method works best for a particular image. I also have to agree with the comment by DjC4.

[@andrewnicholls5745]

Great tips

[@jenniferatterton1587]

Fantastic, tips, people don't always notice those little things so it is good to know.

[@RusstafaB]

Thanks Colin. You mentioned you got your Sony A1 when are you doing a review? Are you suffering with the blackout issue on the viewfinder?

[@mcroman-superfeat]

Great TIP 4 SURE !

[@And-rc9yy]

Would you recommend sharpening in Luminosity Blend Mode so you don't alter the colours slightly when sharpening?

[@kcmophotographer]

Very useful information on these sharpening methods. thank you. I have been using high pass filter for sharpening myself for a while. I found what works best for me is to convert the layer to black and white first then fun the high pass filter, then set the blending mode to linear light since it doesn't mess with the tones or hues.

[@photoshopcafe]

Nice tip

[@photoshopcafe]

Do you find Linear light makes the effect6 a little too strong though compared to overlay?

[@kcmophotographer]

@@photoshopcafe Not usually. I adjust fill rather than opacity to adjust. i can also use blend if to remove/reduce sharpening from the light and/or dark areas as needed. (I guess i should have added that bit in my original comment :D)

[@BigAl444]

Many years ago, I learned about the method of converting to LAB format and applying the sharpening to the Lightness channel. Is that similar to the High Pass method? Also, on the Blend If adjustments, why are you not splitting the sliders with Option-Click to soften the transition?

[@KenToney]

Awesome tips

[@sean19]

Great video. Thanks 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@kuwar149]

I will try

[@arunbalakrishnan8978]

great, Need more tips

[@raginic5180]

Did not know of these secret tools, Colin. how many tools to unearth in PS, is a quandary for beginners like myself. Thanks for it. Do not know if I will be able to accomplish this task, but shall try.

[@photoshopcafe]

Ill keep putting out tutorials each week

[@cristianeteston5906]

I've always used High Pass + linear light. What do you think of this, Colin?

[@rurouni_xyz]

thank u

[@SinaFarhat]

I learned about high pass sharpening a couple of years ago and was able to selectively sharpen just the area's I wanted! Have a nice day!

[@petersutton523]

I always use high pass sharpening. If I do get a noise problem in the sky I add a layer mask and delete the sharpening from the affected area.

[@Sunshineleroy]

Is it correct to say that the oversharpened "sizzle" is due to jpg artifacts being created? Good tutorial!

[@lands3r]

2:20 does anyone know what this layer is called/called in affinity? its not adjustments>levels is it?

[@anthonmyl]

Grazie! ))

[@georgefelton9198]

How do these methods compare to Topaz AI sharpen?

[@gitbuh12345qwerty]

I learned to sharpen from a Hollywood matte painter and I have to say, your better at than him! Thank you so much.

[@davepastern]

high pass and linear light @ 0.2px for my birding images.

[@reesmarkham2140]

thank you very helpful. do I sharpen only at final print size or is that old school ?

[@photoshopcafe]

It depends, but thats definitely still a good option

[@kathyapicelli3025]

Colin, thanks for all you do! I practiced your sharpening techniques and found them all helpful but one. When I use High Pass and accept, the grey that filled the subject (layer) will not go away. I feel I am missing a step but can't figure out where. Any advice?

[@anima6035]

Set the layer to soft light x

[@Rocadamis]

The Blend-If technique is brilliant. However, the HPS method has long been demonstrated to do virtually the same as what the USM does. The SS does something similar to the Blend-If, but I think the Blend-If is less complex and just as powerful.

[@kuwar149]

Nice video

[@LDGFREEtheNET]

nice one

[@kimc5299]

I prefer smart sharpen with a luminosity mask made by using the threshold adjustment

[@bassplayer60]

haha...you got me Colin....I used to sizzle...lol...thank you so so much =D

[@ralphpayne6259]

I hate oversharpened images so tended to be a bit too gentle. No need to anymore! Thanks for brilliantly useful video. Which one? Well, image dependent so "horses for courses"!

[@roybush1]

Colin how can I create a sharpening preset in ps 2022 for ease of batch editing etc

[@photoshopcafe]

create an action

[@TheImaging]

Thanks sir i am a big fan sir

[@TheImaging]

From india

[@CmdrTigerKing]

Nice zoom in

[@FREEDMFTR]

Nice "Bracelet" 😉

[@malaranu6883]

Can these adjustment be applied to selections too?

[@photoshopcafe]

Sure, if you use masks

[@kuau714]

What you didn’t cover is advantages / disadvantage to sharpen in Camera Raw. If you do sharpen in Camera Raw what settings do you recommend,

[@hawaiianstarman]

Same question except using the masking tool in Lightroom Classic’s sharpening panel.

[@davebrown2047]

I've never used any of the PS sharpening options, I prefer to sharpen my images in Camera Raw.

[@TheDavveponken]

Everyone is of course entitled to do as they please but unsharp mask (as Colin shows) is vastly superior though. Putting a layer mask on the copied and unsharped layer lets you selectively sharpen your image as well.

[@davebrown2047]

@@TheDavveponken I'm not saying that my way is the right or only way, far from it, however if I want to selectively sharpen area's on an image in Camera Raw, I just chose the brush tool, paint the required area's and then use the sharpen slider, same thing really.

[@TheDavveponken]

@@davebrown2047 Ah, didn't know about that feature. It's been a while since I was in the habit and up to date.

[@robertspicer2947]

Put an inverted mask on and make targeted adjustments

[@bobcoggin4618]

Brill 👍🏻

[@johncrumpley8702]

Doing mostly solar images, I've found High Pass to be the one I choose most often. Thanks for the video.

[@Mimiclobster]

From the video, the blend if method seems to make the image muddy with less contrast.

[@sandicoates8398]

High Pass

[@MikeT-yy3]

I normally leave sharpening to the end user as they know the final use of the image. For my portraits, model shoots etc I do not sharpen, which model do you know that wants all her skin texture really sharpened. Maybe light sharpening on the eyes only may be required.

[@FranHoganPanama]

Thank you! I hate the sizzle!

[@gopimk3122]

hi

[@gshiu]

I never use any sharpen tool. When I edit images from LR, all unsharp images go to the trash first.

[@MrPetermc199]

So now we got a sharp photo; how do we get a good photo?

[@jjaylad]

I wish you would use images representative of what your viewers would take. My guess is less than .005% have an A1. It's like teaching someone how to drive a pickup ...using a Ferrari.

[@photoshopcafe]

It makes no difference to the functionality of the sharpen tools and the first photo was shot on a 5D mk 3

[@jjaylad]

Thanks for responding Colin. I guess I'm sensitive. I shoot with a D7200. Obviously not for video, but I have a Samsung S21 Ultra which is all I need for that. I just find many 'photo improvement' images used by yourself and others, are shot on relatively high-end cameras and lenses, whereas those really needing the benefit from the techniques illustrated are shooters whose images can obviously use it, particularly if shot in challenging light. Certainly crop sensor cameras and glass fall into that category. LR and PS have come a long long way and help me alot. I'm often shooting with the 18-140 because of its extreme versatility but that does mean the images can be improved in post. My D7200 very seldom misses focus with that lens or with my 2.8 Sigma's ... 17-50 or 50-150. But sharpen I do and it makes a visible difference (at 200% or more magnification anyway). Just once in a while I'd like to see crop sensor, consumer lens images used for such tutorials. There are a lot of us out there Colin. Thanks.

[@kaieteurcanada]

Another video where you give incorrect info... High Pass Sharpen did not leave the sky alone... see slide at exactly 7:15 the sky is "wormy" Only Smart Sharpen and Unsharp Mask has the hidden trick with rolling back the halos. Good info, tnx.

[@chicken.productions]

Why it is called UNSHAPRED MASK while it's SHARPENING things??? Adobe logic

[@mrdev9843]

Oh, so that's a bracelet

[@photobobo]

Way too complicated, besides, most people like me sharpen in Lightroom, not Photoshop.