Suggested Unsharp Mask Settings
I’ve looked for unsharp mask suggestions previously without any luck. The question is always answered with a very weak “it depends.” Yes, I know it depends, but give me something to start with. Instead, I’ve had to experiment to get to my current favorite settings. While yes, it depends, PhotographyJam has a quick reference for you.
| Subject | Amount | Radius | Threshold |
| Soft subjects | 150 | 1 | 10 |
| Portraits | 75 | 2 | 3 |
| Moderate sharpening | 225 | 0.5 | 0 |
| Maximum sharpening | 65 | 4 | 3 |
| All-purpose sharpening | 85 | 1 | 4 |
| preparing for Web | 400 | 0.3 | 0 |
So there. Now you don’t have to spend the time to find it yourself. And that’s why I write this blog. (But don’t be afraid to experiment as well.)
Via: DSLRBlog
Responses and Conversations
So you rag on me, saying I don’t comment on your blog. But dang, boy! I have no idea what you’re talking about in your post! Looks like a call to my brother (aka: The Photography Interpreter) is in order…
Comment by skibberty on June 15th, 2006 at 7:19 pm
I don’t even know what I’m talking about. I just pick random words and hope they form sentences. How am I doing?
Comment by John Koontz on June 15th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Haha, I notice you linked to a linked site as well. How low can you get?
Comment by Mike on June 16th, 2006 at 3:59 am
Linking to a linked site is fine with blogosphere etiquette as long as you give your source.
Comment by John Koontz on June 16th, 2006 at 6:51 am
True, I just found it slightly amusing that you linked to a site that linked to what you posted.
Guess that’s just me.
Comment by Mike on June 16th, 2006 at 10:46 am
Papaya barn the wallop omega through refried poof.
Comment by skibberty on June 16th, 2006 at 11:47 am
Mike: Just giving credit to where credit is due.
Skibberty: So is that spam or what?
Comment by John Koontz on June 16th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
True, true.
Either a bored person or..a hidden message?
Comment by Mike on June 16th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Nah. Just a crazy highschool friend.
Comment by John Koontz on June 16th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Well I, for one, appreciate this info. I’ve looked at the unsharp mask in the past and haven’t really had a clue (and have no patience for actually reading manuals…). I can’t wait to try these settings out.
Thanks again!
Comment by Alden Swan on June 16th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Alden, yes the intention of this post was to be informative. Somewhere the comment thread took a turn for the worse. I blame skibberty.
Comment by John Koontz on June 16th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
At least you got so many comments.
I hate to say it, but I still haven’t understood the post. I sort of get it, but not entirely.. What’s the point of unsharp mask? You said how to do it, but not why.
Comment by Mike on June 17th, 2006 at 5:50 am
I blame it on the rain. It’s driving me crazy! Though we finally had some decent days this week. I’ll make up for it in this comment..
I’m with Mike…I had Scott (who’s a graphic designer/amateur photographer) read your post so he could explain it to me last night, but I fell asleep before he came to bed. So what *is* an unsharp mask? Are there other types of masks? When would you use one vs. another?
Comment by skibberty on June 18th, 2006 at 4:24 am
It seems I have another post to make about unsharp mask! What, How, and Why Unsharp Mask - Coming soon…
Comment by John Koontz on June 19th, 2006 at 8:56 am