Sharpening after resizing? - DPChallenge Forums

03/20/2013 11:07:58 AM · #1

Hi all, just a technical question: when you perform sharpening, do you resize for DPC and then resharpen again, or do you do all your sharpening before saving for web?

I ask because this image of mine SOOC is quite sharp around the eye (zoomed in 1:1) in the untouched RAW file. After processing, it retains its sharpness. But when I resize and save for web, it suddenly becomes soft. Typically, once I have my resized JPEG, I never touch it. Perhaps I should sharpen it some more and resave again?

Just curious if Im missing a step here to help achieve optimal sharpness?

03/20/2013 11:12:32 AM · #2

i export from lightroom and it sharpens for screen after it resizes, i find the images are generally sharper doing it this way.

sjhuls

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/20/2013 11:14:59 AM · #3

Even if I have sharpened the full sized version I always sharpen the resized image before saving for web. You lose sharpness always when you resize. You have to be careful though a little goes a long way on a small photo. sometimes I just do the eyes.

paynekj

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/20/2013 11:15:52 AM · #4

Others will no doubt be along soon to point you to all the previous threads on this subject, but I'll get you started by asking a question:- How do you re-size your images? - software, settings etc.

Personally I step re-size and do a final sharpen.

Message edited by author 2013-03-20 11:16:40.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

03/20/2013 11:29:08 AM · #5

Originally posted by paynekj:

In LR3, resize to Long Edge = 800px and File Size = 300kb. Nothing other than that. Once I have the resulting JPEG I never retouch.

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

03/20/2013 11:38:01 AM · #6

For dpc I never sharpen the full-sized image; I sharpen after the second pass of resizing, sometimes on the final size (than with a very minimal amount)

03/20/2013 11:54:01 AM · #7

Originally posted by gcoulson:

Originally posted by paynekj:
Others will no doubt be along soon to point you to all the previous threads on this subject, but I'll get you started by asking a question:- How do you re-size your images? - software, settings etc.

Personally I step re-size and do a final sharpen.

In LR3, resize to Long Edge = 800px and File Size = 300kb. Nothing other than that. Once I have the resulting JPEG I never retouch.

then check sharpen for screen as well.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S

03/20/2013 12:02:34 PM · #8

Originally posted by mike_311:

Then check sharpen for screen as well

It already is checked.

Kroburg

Nikon Z6II

03/20/2013 12:11:36 PM · #9

I think I follow one of the threads about resizing and sharpening on DPC. I do normal sharpening when processing my pic. Then resize to long edge = 1600px, do another sharpening with USM (lower settings) and then resize to 800px for DPC.

03/20/2013 12:14:37 PM · #10

Originally posted by gcoulson:

Originally posted by mike_311:

Then check sharpen for screen as well

It already is checked.

have you tested the strength to see if the resulst are acceptable.

when you have a full size you have many more pixels to assist in keeping the image sharp, when you resize to the archaic 800pixel limit, depending on your crop, you lose a lose of those pixels.

i have on many occasion, especially after getting the 5d notice my images for DPC aren't as sharp as the originals. on many occasion they look like they contain sharpening artifacts.

03/20/2013 12:30:33 PM · #11

Originally posted by Kroburg:

Do you resize to 1600px with any constraint on file size in preparation for the 300kb entry limit?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS II USM Lens

03/20/2013 12:37:34 PM · #12

i don't, i go right to 800. i tried resizing in steps, it just doesn't seem to make a difference for me. i just know that my 1000px long edge exports i use for 500px and other sites are MUCH better.

hahn23

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

03/20/2013 01:10:30 PM · #13

It depends. I usually USM (75%,0.4,1) after resizing to 800 pixels for DPC. But, if I've used the tonal contrast high pass filter or the detail extractor in CEP4 plug-in, then I'll USM less. Or, if I've added a significant amount of "structure" in SEP2, Viveza2 or HDR Efex Pro2, then I'll USM less.

And, it's important to avoid the resizer/jpg compression engine at DPC. Also, slight influence, but not insignificant, is to get the image level in the first place to avoid a less than 90 degree rotation.

In general, I never use the blunt "Sharpen" tool in any pp app.

Kroburg

Nikon Z6II

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S

03/20/2013 01:21:37 PM · #14

Originally posted by gcoulson:

Originally posted by Kroburg:
I think I follow one of the threads about resizing and sharpening on DPC. I do normal sharpening when processing my pic. Then resize to long edge = 1600px, do another sharpening with USM (lower settings) and then resize to 800px for DPC.

Do you resize to 1600px with any constraint on file size in preparation for the 300kb entry limit?

No, I only start looking at size when I save for web, most of the time I have to go to 90-92% to get <300kB.

Silent-Shooter

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

03/20/2013 04:02:39 PM · #15

I use the resizing and sharpening action found on this website //www.philipperold.com/links. I use the landscape one for everything. It really is a great action. I recommend it but it can tend to over sharpen so I back off the opacity a bit or mask some areas that are over sharpened.

I have also adapted the action and have added my own layers adding some diffuse glow masked to effect just the highlights.

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

03/20/2013 05:08:43 PM · #16

I've never been able to beat

Bear_Music's instructions in this thread.

MarkB

Canon EOS-60D