GET YOUR PHOTOS PINSHARP IN PHOTOSHOP
Get pin-sharp shots using layers and blending modes
In this tutorial, I am going to teach you how to sharpen your images like a pro using Photoshop. This technique works particularly well with human interest and landscape images, and focuses on increasing the contrast in the brighter and darker tones found in the image’s colours, as opposed to the details themselves. The technique is also effective for images involving skies, as it doesn’t increase the noise that can be found in them.
1
DUPLICATE THE LAYERS To sharpen this image, we need to first duplicate the original layer twice. The first layer should be renamed to ‘Colour Blur 5’, and the second renamed to ‘Detail’.
2
ADD GAUSSIAN BLUR Now apply a Gaussian Blur with a radius of 5 pixels to the Colour Blur 5 layer. To do this, hit Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. This will be the base of the dreamy effect we are creating.
3
CREATE DETAILS ONLY LAYER On the second layer click Image > Apply Image. Select your blurred layer. Check invert and change the blending mode to Add, Opacity 100%, Scale 2, Offset 0. Then hit OK.
4
CHANGE THE BLENDING MODE Now, change the blending mode of the detail layer from ‘Normal’ to ‘Linear Light’. You’ll notice the image now looks the same as our original layer. Time to introduce the sharpness.
5
REDUCE OPACITY Now we will reduce the opacity of the Colour Blur 5 layer. I reduced the opacity to 70%, which sharpens the image just enough. You can erase parts of this effect via a layer mask if necessary.
6
THE FINAL TOUCHES Finally, on the Detail layer, go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask and take the amount to 135 for some extra crispiness. The processed shot is super sharp and ready for print.