How to Apply High Pass Sharpening in Affinity Photo

The High Pass filter in Affinity Photo isn’t perhaps as intuitive to use as other sharpening filters. In this video, I explain how to use it. I also show how to change the results by changing the blending mode.
Looking at the High Pass filter, I show you how to use it as an Affinity Photo Live Layer. This provides more flexibility and is easier to use for sharpening.
Although this tutorial explains how to use the filter in Affinity Photo, you can also use this method of sharpening in Photoshop.
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[@rgarlinyc]

Great explanation and exposition, thank you Robin! You are right - there was a lot here that I never knew/appreciated before.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. I’m just drafting a tutorial to go with the video and realised there are a few points I missed out of the video.

[@DAVE211147]

Nice to see you used Affinity Photo, High Pass is a great sharpening tool, Thanks Robin

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks Dave.

[@jd5787]

Thank you! super useful as it made my image pop more!

[@RobinWhalley]

I'm glad it helped. Thank you.

[@extremelydave]

Demystifying another Affinity option.... much appreciated!!!

[@RobinWhalley]

You're very welcome.

[@IPASAustralia]

A great tutorial. Excellent information, pace and narration (even if you do have a Pommie accent!) Thanks for taking time to make and post. (I've just subscribed). Cheers

[@RobinWhalley]

Haha! Cheeky Bug**r. Hope you like the other videos.

[@JohnCollins-iy1pw]

Well done Robin,I do have a tendency to oversharpen so I would be interested in what is the optimal time to stop sharpening?

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. That’s actually a very complex question to answer because there are so many variables. For example, if you sharpen for print output at 200dpi on Matte paper but view it on a screen it will look dreadful and over sharpened. It’s all about understanding the output and the variables.

[@tonytarquinio6439]

A very comprehensive and valuable tutorial. Many thanks for your work, mate. Cheers. Tony

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you and you’re very welcome.

[@billfried626]

Thanks; very clear and useful.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. I'm pleased you liked it.

[@CharlesvanDijk-ir6bl]

Desaturate the layer if you use the high pass filter so the sharpening doesn't affect the colours.

[@RobinWhalley]

Good point. Thank you.

[@stephenstevenson1900]

Great video Robin! Thanks so much.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks, I’m pleased you like it.

[@aidengrayson4056]

I realize I'm kinda randomly asking but do anybody know a good site to watch new tv shows online ?

[@thiagophilip4144]

@Aiden Grayson try flixzone. You can find it on google =)

[@gossedejong9248]

brilliant, thank you!!

[@RobinWhalley]

You're welcome! Thank you.

[@naveenramaswamy]

Great video, one qq ... Can we apply a mask to high pass live filter?

[@RobinWhalley]

When you add a High Pass Live Filter to your image it will have an empty white layer mask already attached to it. You are free to paint or create a mask on that.

[@margeryslatz]

Is there a specific type of file you need to start with? I tried this with an image (clipart) to polish it up and it did not work the same as your video. Thank you for the tips and tricks! Definitely appreciate all the knowledge. :)

[@RobinWhalley]

The technique is really designed for photography. It may be too subtle for sharpening clipart. I would also have thought that most clipart woiuld already be sufficiently sharp unless it's been resized.

[@221b-Maker-Street]

@@RobinWhalley Yes, I have a similar question if that's OK, Robin?! I'd like to sharpen what is effectively a silhouette image that I've increased the size of. As it's a monochrome flat image, I was hoping there'd be an Affinity tool that might smooth out the pixelation - given the outline is otherwise very clear due to the high contrast. Any ideas please Robin? [I've just joined your newsletter subs and enjoying browsing your website - a lovely find just from googling an answer to my question!]

[@RobinWhalley]

@@221b-Maker-Street There isn't a tool that will automatically do this for you from what I understand of your description. You may be able to tackle the problem with the Noise Reduction filter in the Photo Persona. If this works, you would then need to apply it to the affected areas (as I assume you don't want it to be applied to everything) using a mask. If you are using Affinity Photo 2, the Luminance Range Mask would probably be a good way to control where it's applied.

[@philipzwick]

Is there a disadvantage to using a Live Filter? If not, why not always use it?

[@RobinWhalley]

Most of the time I would use Live Filters. But there are times when you might need to apply an adjustment directly to a pixel image for example when editing a mask. That's when a Live Filter won't work.

[@jazzman1626]

I didn’t see any difference. I use linear light blending mode.

[@RobinWhalley]

It’s very difficult to show the effect clearly because of the video compression and downsampling.

[@jazzman1626]

Robin Whalley I never thought of that. Of course. The whole reason why we need to sharpen for the screen in the first place.

[@MrSeinfeldFan2]

Why don't you 'sharpen" a face of a person (which is what I am trying to do). Thank you.

[@RobinWhalley]

There are instances where you might want to sharpen the face. The recomendation not to sharpen the face, or rather the skin of the face is that it emphasises the skin texture. It can make blemishes and pours stand out. Most of the time, people want smooth looking skin but there is nothing to prevent you from creating a gritty appearance in an image. But even when we don't sharpen skin (or blur it slightly) we would still sharpen the eyes and mouth to draw attention to them. I hope this helps.