likes and dislikes

[Duffy Pratt]

A couple of things to keep in mind about Daniels numbers:

He is starting with a JPG which already underwent some sharpening in the camera conversion from RAW to JPG. If you shoot RAW, Daniel's numbers probably won't give a sharp enough result.

Sharpening depends on the source resolution, the image itself, and the intended output. The one size all figures might be OK as a starting point, but you can almost always do better. For example, the amount of LCE you want will vary greatly depending on the kind of image you have. A picture with alot of fine detail might get harmed by an LCE adjustment, while a picture of sea and sky that looks more like a gradient than alot of fine detail could use a strong LCE adjustment, but would probably not see much gain from edge sharpening (since there aren't alot of edges).

Basically, one size all formulas are a good start for sharpening, but if you want to go this route, you are probably better off buying a sharpening program anyway. It takes much more effort to get consistently great results from Photoshops USM -- whole books have been written on the subject.

Duffy

[studiocygnet]

I agree with the contingent that likes portraits less sharp. I don't like the obvious pores and ruddy skin look. But I did think it looked kinda flat and grey. So in this one, the only thing I did was move the black and white points in a bit, and then adjust the midpoint in levels. I tried a slight curve to bring more detail into dad's hair, but I actually liked it blacker, shows less grey, so I left the curve out.

[photonewb]

Originally Posted by DJ.

This is a really nice image with a lot of possibilities. Hope you don't mind a little
experimentation.

things like this remind me of the stuff in photoshop where you can turn a pic into things like a colored pencil drawing and such. Sometimes those come out really nice too.

[CCGamer]

Sharpening and Post Production discussions (although extremely helpful) - I would have to comment on the original shot itself - it was shot 1/30 at f2.8, ISO 100 at 70mm with no flash. My guess is that it was handheld, and although f2.8 at that distance is going to give you a little more depth of field, maybe not enough - hence possibly the softness between the faces. 1/30 sec is awfully low for a hand held shot at 70 mm as well. Bumping up the ISO would improve the speed to more closely match the 'ole standard of the speed inverse of the focal length - else risking a soft shot as well due to camera movement.
With the beginnings of a better focused shot, the issues of sharpening wouldn't be as critical.
I love the composition - the dad's expression is wonderful - and the background nicely blurred.

[carrbowl]

Well if the photographer would have been thinking (which would have been a miracle in itself) she would have just bumped the 1/30 up or put the flash on (which I prefer not to). I aactually made him pose again, because he moved from under the awning...I could have made him move more from under the awning, but with all the clouds I don't know if it would have helped. but 1/30 was definely way to slow...man I need some ridddlin...I cannot keep track of everything when I take a shot!!!!!!!!

mike thanks for the "note to self" about why the photo was soft to begin with. I began looking at alot of my photos and have noticed a bad trend...I don't like it..

[CincoJoe]

I think it's great photo. Once you do some photoshop work to it bring color and contrast out it make a big difference. Here is my attempt on it.