Adjust Sharpness - Amount setting

[dano]

I just started using the Adjust Sharpness instead of the Unsharp Mask. A Kelby book stated that the Amount percentage would be lower in Adjust Sharpness than in Unsharp Mask to get the same result from the same Radius setting. However, that doesn't seem to be true for me so far. For years, I have used a Kelby Unsharp Mask setting of Amount 95, Radius 1, Threshold 4 as my default. To get the simiiar sharpening with Adjust Sharpness, I find I need an Amount of 120 with a Radius of 1. What have your experiences been in using these two methods??

Elements 2018 (v. 16), Windows 7

[pontiac1940]

Jan 21, 2023 3:51:33 GMT dano said:

What have your experiences been in using these two methods??

dano
Sorry, no help here. I try to keep sharpening to a minimum and do not use Topaz.
I started using LE and then PSEM over 20 years ago and have only used unsharp mask for over 15 of those years.
As a starting point my USM settings are: Amt 100%; radius 0.9 and Threshold between 0 and 10 (typically 5 to 10 depending). I take it easy using USM and less is far better than more.    
Clive 

  

[Sepiana]

Jan 21, 2023 3:51:33 GMT dano said:

I just started using the Adjust Sharpness instead of the Unsharp Mask. I read somewhere that the Amount percentage would be lower in Adjust Sharpness than in Unsharp Mask to get the same result from the same radius setting. 

What have your experiences been in using these two methods??

Hi dano,

Unsharp Mask:

It is a very useful tool to sharpen photos.You just adjust the sliders until you are happy with the results.

Adjust Sharpness:

Back in Elements 13, Adobe did an overhaul of this tool. Adjust Sharpness has additional settings which help yield a more accurate sharpening. They enable you to have more control over the sharpening process.

In short, due to the under-the-hood differences between these two tools, I wouldn't recommend using the same numbers for Amount and Radius in both tools. Instead, I would recommend using different numbers.

You may want to check this Adobe document for more information on these two tools. -- Sharpen tools.

[PeteB]

Hi Dano
Here is a good explanation from photographer/author Tim Grey on sharpening. He refers to Smart Sharpen (photoshop) which is the same as Elements Adjust Sharpen. Hope that helps.

asktimgrey.com/2015/12/28/sharpening-recommendations/

[hmca]

When sharpening your image you also might want to consider using the high pass filter. It is available in PE as well as PS. Adding a mask to the high pass layer allows you to be very selective as to where you apply your sharpening.


www.digitalcameraworld.com/features/how-to-sharpen-images-to-perfection

digital-photography-school.com/photoshop-tip-using-high-pass-filter-sharpen-images/