How to Avoid Halos When Sharpening Photos

[@macmcmillen6282]

Best explanation on what sharpening is that I've ever heard.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. I can't claim the credit for the sharpening wedge though. I read this in an advanced PS book about 15 years ago and thought wow, that makes a good demonstration. I never forgot it and it always seems to help people when I show it to them. I wish I could remember the book.

[@Paul_anderson_creative]

Excellent. Simple, thorough, straightforward and presented clearly!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you

[@SteveONions]

A very good description of the relationship between the sharpening parameters Robin, I think I’ve been overdoing it.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks Steve. Don't forget though, if you're printing the image you do need a lot of sharpening. Also, if you're sharpening film, it often requires a higher radius and lower amount.

[@MrDs131]

Great Robin, that is exactly what I wanted. The time I have spent trying to get rid of contrast halos is awful!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. That's great to hear. And remember, if you're happy with the image that's what matters.

[@janerikedvartsen]

A fantastic explanation on sharpening and those dreaded halos. Thank you.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@888chop]

Best explanation I've come across - excellent. TX!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you.

[@andychattaway5620]

As usual with these video tutorials - Brilliant 👍

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks, much appreciated.

[@danielrao3120]

Hello Robin. An interesting video which makes abundantly clear how the "unsharp mask" filter works. So too is the use of "Blend If" to reduce halo effects. What is not clear to me is whether you use "Blend If" as a matter of course when using "unsharp mask" to sharpen your images. Hopefully you get my drift. Thanks. Daniel

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. To answer your question, sometimes I use Blend if when I feel the highlights or blacks are becoming a little too strong. Usually, I try to avoid this but if I can't really avoid it I use the technique. It also depends on which tools I'm sharpening with as some tools like Nik seem to avoid creating an issue. The final variable is when in the workflow I'm sharpening. If it's output sharpening for print I will just let the software do its thing but if its an image for screen display I pay much more attention to problems and will use the Blend if slider when necessary. I'm sorry there isn't a simple answer to what is a very good question.

[@danielrao3120]

​ Robin Whalley Hello Robin. Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my question. As you rightfully point out there is no simply answer. What you have introduced for me is room to explore these finer points. And for that I am very grateful. Many thanks. @@RobinWhalley

[@RobinWhalley]

You are very welcome. Thank you.

[@gurunath1710]

Great little video. Thank you for the lucid explanation.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you

[@WeiChong]

Thank you for explaining sharpening and halos. Would you mind sharing your opposing gradients so we can test the unsharp masking sliders ourselves?

[@RobinWhalley]

Good idea. I've added it to my website in the members' area. Here's the link, it's at the bottom of the page. lenscraft.co.uk/members-area/photography-guide/

[@TheArcSet]

Thank you for your explanation.

[@RobinWhalley]

You're welcome

[@aspia11]

thank a lot. good light & keep well.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you.

[@nord_seher]

Thank you so much for the explanation. Is there an equivalent in affinity photo for the mode "blend if"?

[@gurunath1710]

Yes, there is indeed. There is a small gear wheel icon near the layer. Click it and it will take you to it.

[@nord_seher]

@@gurunath1710I tried it but the only effect is that the Layer becomes more or less transparent. Is there a trick?

[@RobinWhalley]

That's right. It's Blend Ranges and is a lot more powerful than the BlendIf slider in Photoshop. I might try a video to explain it.

[@nord_seher]

Robin Whalley that would be very good. Do it if you can!

[@RobinWhalley]

It sounds like you're using the Opacity slider. Going left to right in the Layers tab in Affinity you should see Opacity, Blending mode and then "Blending Range". As mentioned above, it looks like a cog wheel. When you click it you should get a dialog window that shows two graphs with a straight line running along the top of each. These controls are much more powerful than the ones in Photoshop. I will see if I can work out a video to explain them in the near future.

[@MarcioSargento]

Can it be assumed that THRESHOLD is similar to MASKING your sharpening in Lightroom?

[@rarindraprakarsa4376]

Ive tried both. I got different effect. With 'blend-if masking' controls halo along the border but unsharpening effect still happening inside the area. Meanwhile 'threshold' controls how far the unsharpening effect accross the area, including along the border. I think it is great problem solving.

[@RobinWhalley]

It's similar but not quite the same. If you're just doing Capture Sharpening in the Detail panel, you can think of it as the same. Unfortunately, you don't have quite the same control within Lightroom as you do in Photoshop.

[@RobinWhalley]

Pleased you liked it.