In all your Photoshop Elements study, how many ways have you found to sharpen a picture? 10 zillion, right? And how do you know which method to use on which image? Can you remember the different methods when it comes down to perfecting that one image? I can’t!
[By the way, I have edited this post a bit for simplicity's sake.]
Here is the solution to our sharpening quandry:
The Texas Chicks Blogs and Pics Sharpening Powerhouse for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements
I have assembled all the various sharpening methods that have been effective for me at one time or another into one 13 layer action! Turn each sharpening layer on one by one to see which one adds just the crispness you need to your photo.
Several of these layers use features not normally available in PSE. A couple use channels – either to sharpen without adding noise or to sharpen while keeping skin soft & supple. And the best layer of all is my version of Scott Kelby’s Luminosity Sharpening. Now, you can’t duplicate this exactly in PSE. But I’ve come pretty darn close. What do you think?
Unsharpened Image
Sharpened Using Luminosity Method
Sharpened Using Same Amount of Sharpening but No Luminosity Conversion
Big difference, right? The luminosity method allows you to apply much higer amounts of sharpening without affecting the colors.
Download the Action
This action marks the beginning of a new era for Texas Chicks – it’s something that I’ve been working on for a long time. I am offering two free versions of this action, plus one (the complete version) is for sale. EDIT: Time for downloading free action has expired.
Purchase the complete 13 layer Sharpening Powerhouse.
Layer by Layer Rundown:
- Basic Portrait Sharpening – works nicely for well-focused portraits
- Hard Stuff Sharpening – this one is for sharpening photos of items that aren’t soft
- Soft Stuff Sharpening – soft things like stuffed animals and babies
- Try This First – A good place to start if you just need a little sharpening.
- Spot Sharpening – Paint in white on the mask over areas you really want to emphasize, like eyes.
- Halo Avoidance
- Sharpen Lots of Straight Edges – great for architectural shots
- Super Sharpening – very strong sharpening for those shots that need all the help they can get.
- Contrast Boost Sharpen (High Pass)
- Smoother Skin Sharpening – sharpens only the channels that don’t emphasize skin imperfections.
- Noisy Photo Sharpening – sharpens only the red and green channels, which don’t have much noise
- Edge Mask – another one that’s great for images with strong lines
- Luminosity Sharpening – this one might look too harsh zoomed ino 100%. Zoom out and see what you think.
Please let me know if you have questions. Thank you for reading Texas Chicks Blogs and Pics!
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh My Goodness!!! I MUST have that action:)
I’ve been editing lots of photos lately and it is definitely one of the hardest things to master ~ how much is too much sharpening? Also, I use textures on so many of my photos but I want the eyes to stay sharp, this will help so much. I’m so impressed with your new action-building skill…keep em comin!
wayoutnumbered´s last blog ..Before & After Edition
awesome!!! now I wish it explained a little more about sharpening for print…
Thanks for all of this and I’m super excited about the new membership program.
I downloaded the 13 Layer Action and briefly tried it out last night on 2 photos. I LOVE LOVE the fact that I can just click on all the options and see my choices…so incredibly easy! Also, I printed your Layer by Layer Rundown to use as a guide, but your Layer names really provide a clear explanation. Of course I clicked the Try This First each time…I was thrilled see such clear directions:)
This action will surely save tons of time and an extra touch of sharpening are really what some photos need to go from “good” to “Stunning”!
wayoutnumbered´s last blog ..Before & After Edition
Thanks, way outnumbered! I am so glad the action is helpful! Lucky for you, your pix are great to begin with.
Erin
darnit I missed the free time for downloading the sharpening action!….
Hi… I just purchased the sharpening action today and was so excited to use it. I guess I missed something as I am not seeing how it is working. My picture is at the top of the layers. Is that correct? Also, as I click on each eyeball to check out options, I do not see anything changing. If I were to select a sharpening option, what do I do/click on to make it work? As you can tell, I am pretty new to these actions. I am in PSE 8 on XP. Should I be in Guided Edit? Thanks for any input. Karen
Hi Karen,
First, make sure you run the action on a flattened image whose only layer’s name is Background. Also, you need to zoom in to 100% to see the effects of the sharpening. Click on the eyeball of each layer to activate that layer’s sharpening. Turn the eyeballs on and off – you only want one on at a time in most cases, so they are all off by default.
Erin
Thanks…I did finally get it to run through the process. I didn’t have the picture on its own background layer. Now, my question is: There are two “Sharpening” icons in my palette….When I clicked on the second one, it said “File is not compatible with this version of Photoshop then it said “could not complete the process because there is not enough memory.” I have gone back to my folder to look but only installed what was in my zipped folder. Thought once maybe it was a Mac file, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Any input. Thanks for all the info. Am anxious to really use the action. Karen
Hi Karen,
Did you follow the appropriate installation instructions on this page for your version of PSE and your operating system? http://www.texaschicksblogsandpics.com/photography-page/installing-actions-in-photoshop-elements/
Your issue should be addressed on the appropriate page. If not, I need to know your version of PSE and OS and I can help.
Erin
Hi…I thought I had, because I had created a shortcut folder on my desktop to put actions, layer styles, and etc. As I look again, I see that under Docs and Settings, we also have an “Owner-AZPC” which it looks like is where my desktop shortcut goes to. So far, that has worked, and even worked on one of the sharpening icons. I also have, of course, the correct profile under Docs and Settings. My question now, is do I correct my desktop shortcut and put them in the correct place, or leave well enough alone. Thanks for your assistance. Karen
Hi Karen,
Look in your photo effects folder again and make sure that the files you pasted have exactly the same names, including spaces. I suspect that each file is named something slightly different. That is why two icons/boxes are showing up in your effects palette. If you use the contact link on the right, you can send me an email with the screen shot of your photo effects folder attached an I can help more.
Erin
http://www.texaschicksblogsandpics.com/wp-content/upload/1267596302-Sharpening print screen.doc
As I look, it is in the “filters” folder instead of the “effects” folder. I will wait for your reply, but imagine I need to move it to the effects folder. It does work in the filters, I just have the two icons….One of the Sharpening icons is listed as an ACDSee PNG. Is that normal? I do have and use ACDSee but I have not noticed this before. Hope the print screen worked. I use the Upload at the bottom. Thanks again. Sorry to be so much trouble. Karen
Hi Karen,
The instructions you need to follow are here:
http://www.texaschicksblogsandpics.com/photography-page/installing-actions-in-photoshop-elements/install-actions-in-photoshop-elements-8-on-xp/
Yes, your files should go in the Photo Effects folder. And I would delete the ACDSee PNG. You only need one – otherwise you will have two thumbnails in your Effects Palette and receive the error messages that you experienced.
Does that help?
Hi Erin….Yes thanks for all of your input. I will make the change and hopefully I am more knowledgeable now. Thanks again for sticking with me. Karen