 Deb James |
Which First: Reduce Noise or Sharpen? I'm using Photoshop CS2 and Imagenomic Noiseware. I use adjustment layers for levels, curves, etc. After the adjustments, I create another layer with "stamp visible", which is basically a flattened version of the previous layers (but without actually flattening). Next, I've been doing noise reduction with Noiseware and then sharpening using the smart sharpen filter. Should you reduce noise before sharpening or vice versa?
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robert G. Fately |
I've heard it both ways, Deb, and frankly I'm responding as much to see what others say as to offer a definite answer myself. I have also heard that it may depend on the image itself. Generally, though, I think it's best to save sharpening to the final step, since the artifacts created by sharpening may become exaggerated with noise reduction. Of course, that too may depend on what kind of sharpening is done - "normal" or luminance based.
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Pete H |
Hello Deb, Conventional wisdom dictates sharpening last. With that said, not all photos require sharpening and/or noise reduction. Furthermore, many people will sharpen the entire image... this is often not necessary. As an example: a portrait with wispy clouds in the background. I would most likely sharpen my subject, but NOT the clouds. The clouds may or may not need noise reduction. Example 2: Formal portrait... Some will only sharpen the eyes as they want the skin to look soft. Sharpening and noise reduction are quite image dependent. All the best, Pete
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Deb James |
Thank you, Bob and Pete!
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Kelly J. Heggart |
P E T E, Out of curiosity, can you explain to me in the simplist of words, how to isolate only one area of a picture and then sharpen it? I did not know you could do this and always sharpen the whole thing, which is not always the desired affect as in portraiture as you mention. Thanks
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Margie Hurwich |
One other thing, Deb...many stock agencies do not want any sharpening, in camera or during post processing. I know Shutterstock allows it, but not sure about Dreamstime.
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Deb James |
Thanks for the tip, Margie. I remember reading that on Alamy (I think), but I haven't tried to submit to them just yet. So far Dreamstime and Stockxpert haven't had an issue with it. I've been reducing noise and then sharpening immediately after. So far so good...
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Pete H |
Sure, Let's say you have a nice head shot portrait and want to only sharpen the eyes. With Adobe, I'll generally choose the elliptical selection tool or just free hand it. Select either just the eyes, or the entire eye socket. Hope that helps. Pete
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- Dennis Flanagan Contact Dennis Flanagan Dennis Flanagan's Gallery |
Most the literature I read say that the very last step before saving it is the "Unsharp" mask.
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Deb James |
Thanks, Howie and Dennis. I think I need to adjust my workflow just a bit. Right now I start with a raw image and open in PSCS2. I create a levels layer then a curves layer and sometimes (when it's necessary) a hue/saturation layer. After those adjustments, I create a "stamp visible" layer. I use this layer to reduce noise first and then sharpen. Looks like I need to move the reduce noise and then sharpen to my first and second steps. Then I should adjust levels, curves, etc.
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