Definition of over-sharpening

Ian Grant · Apr 7, 2006

Could someone explain the above please?

Having read through zillions of reviews and forums I'm beginning to understand that detail doesnt always go hand in hand with sharpness, but could someone explain through posting a few images so that I can see the diffrenece please?

If not, could someone guide me to a link that may show comparisons perhaps?

Ive been gradually cranking up the in camera sharpness on most of the cameras Ive owned assuming the results would be better, but I'm starting to prefer the look of the ones where Ive turned it down.

I just want to understand the terminology and what the benefits/downsides are of adjusting in camera sharpness either way.

Ive tried searching the forum but without much luck, so apologies for the repeated post if it is one and thanks in advance for your help.

BobTrips · Apr 7, 2006

Ian Grant said:
Could someone explain the above please?

Having read through zillions of reviews and forums I'm beginning to
understand that detail doesnt always go hand in hand with
sharpness, but could someone explain through posting a few images
so that I can see the diffrenece please?

If not, could someone guide me to a link that may show comparisons
perhaps?

Ive been gradually cranking up the in camera sharpness on most of
the cameras Ive owned assuming the results would be better, but I'm
starting to prefer the look of the ones where Ive turned it down.

I just want to understand the terminology and what the
benefits/downsides are of adjusting in camera sharpness either way.

Ive tried searching the forum but without much luck, so apologies
for the repeated post if it is one and thanks in advance for your
help.

I'd say that sharpening, to a great extent, is a matter of personal preference. For some shots I might like a softer, less sharpened look. For others I want crisp details.

But there is a point of too much. I watch for "halos" - thin white/light borders appearing around objects.

My preference is not to sharpen in-camera. I'd rather do what editing/cropping/resizing that I'm going to do and sharpen as a last step.

--
bob

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Ian Y&#1072;tes · Apr 7, 2006

This is oversharpened because you get the "halo" (that row of extra white pixels you see between the steeple and sky)

--

Laurentiu Todie · Apr 7, 2006

Ian Y?tes said:
This is oversharpened because you get the "halo" (that row of extra
white pixels you see between the steeple and sky)

--

err… it is not if meant to print half size : )

Ian Y&#1072;tes · Apr 7, 2006

it was camera #3 38mm equivalent
My back was up against the houses opposite.
It a bad composition I know
--

ijsmith · Apr 7, 2006

If you have an older monitor, you may not see the glittering of the grass, tree leaves, halos, etc., and easily oversharpen without realizing it. Most new monitors have enough brightness to display these. Otherwise, use your printer to check out your photos and sharpening.

aukhawk · Apr 7, 2006

The o.p. was questioning 'sharpening' as opposed to 'detail' - old-school photographers might refer to 'acutance', 'resolution' and 'definition' -
on this site its worth reading
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Digital_Imaging/Sharpening_01.htm
but there must be other references which cover the subject more fully

Francis

linuxworks · Apr 7, 2006

sharpening is almost like treble (using an bizarre audio analogy). and some people turn the treble up too high and make the sound un-natural.

I know that I tend to overuse the USM tool. so I try to account for that and use the controls until I get what I want, then I back it off some. that kinda works

if you can see halos during your first pass (ie, before you even did the back-off trick) then you want WAY too far.

you have to practice, then give your eyes a rest, then look again later. often you will see that you have over-sharpened.

hth,

--
bryan (pics @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/linux-works )
~~(pics and more @ http://www.netstuff.org ) ~~~

wlachan · Apr 7, 2006

For printing, the pics could look significantly oversharpened on monitor yet printed perfectly fine. It depends on the purpose.
--
Alan Chan
http://www.pbase.com/wlachan/

AmanitaM · Apr 7, 2006

Because some subjects cannot tolerate additional sharpening at all, and some can take a remarkable amount, leaving sharpening for last makes good sense. For my subjects, fur and fine hair is easily ruined, but certain lichens just drink up the sharpening with no ill effects. Also, sharpening enhances noise as much as it enhances the subject.
Minimal sharpening:

--

dalite · Apr 8, 2006

AmanitaM said:
Because some subjects cannot tolerate additional sharpening at all,
and some can take a remarkable amount, leaving sharpening for last
makes good sense.

Sharpening isn't the be-all, end-all of DP. Sometimes, as noted, softness can give a photo that special quality that sets it apart from others. And yes, leave sharpening to the last operation of post processing.

Ole Hauris Sorensen · Apr 9, 2006

In some cases I blur out everything I don't want sharp. That approach gives me ability to define the point of interest. Only works with pics with the point of interest in focus obviously, but very useful. Takes some pratice with the feather function, but it works really well for me.

For sharpening I zoom in and out a lot while experimenting with unsharp masking. For some reason that keeps me from over-sharpening.

BR,
Ole

'We must become the change we want to see in the world.'

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Definition of over-sharpening

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