Unsharp Mask - The LAST thing to do to your digital image

HOBBY: PHOTOGRAPHY
The main digital packages such as PaintShop Pro and
Photoshop have a fantastic little function called an
'unsharp mask'

Using the unsharp mask makes it possible for your digitally
corrected or resized images to maintain a high quality
appearance. If you regularly downsize your pictures (for
faster loading on web pages for example) then you may notice
that the usual Sharpness function creates a more unnatural
look in smaller sizes images. The unsharp mask, however,
because of its adjustability, can produce much better
results. It can even increase the sharpness of photos taken
directly from your digital camera.

From personal experience, I make sure that I make all other
adjustments to a picture before resizing. For example
contrast adjustment, saturation adjustment and any noise
reduction. I then resize in steps (VERY important), not all
in one go, as I feel this retains more of the original
picture quality. Only at the very end of the process, when
I'm ready to print for example, do I adjust sharpness, and
ONLY with the unsharp mask tool, not the normal sharpness
adjustment.

In PaintshopPro 10, use the unsharp mask as follows:

To apply low- and high-frequency sharpening

1. Choose Adjust > Sharpness > Unsharp > Mask.

The Unsharp Mask dialog box appears.

2. Set a value from 0.01 to 100.00 in the Radius control to
specify the distance (radius) within which the command looks
for dissimilar pixels to sharpen.

Higher Radius settings tend to be more suited for softer
images, or those with a large subject; photos with lots of
fine detail usually require lower Radius settings.

3. Type or set a value from 1 to 100 in the Strength control
to specify the overall strength of the command.

4. Type or set a values from 1 to 100 in the Clipping
control to specify lightness values that adjacent pixels
must have before they are sharpened.

5. Click OK.

Some people have reported that using the unsharp mask before
each resizing step can give superior results. Its not
something that I have noticed in my own work, but feel free
to try it out. But whatever you prefer, make sure its the
LAST thing you do to your picture before you call in
'finished'

Article Source: http://publisherscloninghouse.com

Paul Wheeler, Digital Photographer Enthusiast Digital Camara and image articles & tips

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