when to sharpen in your PP flow

[skippyscage]

ok lets really put the cat amongst the pigeons...

there seem to be tow distinct theories about when to sharpen.

1. only sharpen as the very last step - normally requires 100% or more
2. sharpen in steps - each time the image is resized sharpen in smaller amounts (15-80% seems the norm)

so what do YOU do....

I have my best results using option #2

(this thread may run and run.....)

[GeoffS]

Personally, I usually use some variant of Bruce Fraser's three-step sharpening approach:

• Light "capture sharpening" during raw conversion to undo the anti-aliasing filter.
• Optional localized "creative sharpening" during the post-processing to emphasize or deemphasize areas.
• Final "output sharpening" on a copy of the image after any resizing that is only destined for a particular output method (ex. on-screen display, or 150 lpi half-tone screen).

"Everything you want to know about sharpening, but were afraid to ask" should be the title of Bruce's autstanding book. "Real World Image Sharpening with Photoshop CS2"; I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand what sharpening is all about.

If you want a preview, there's an online tutorial containing the basics from the book: http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=608637

Cheers,

Geoff S.

[Dave O'Brien]

I only resize once so I only sharpen at the very end using the USM feature.