Unsharp mask...what is it for?

slackercruster · 02-18-2012, 05:53 PM

My Epson V500 has a unsharp mask box. What does it do?

Thanks

stevebrot · 02-18-2012, 06:07 PM

Unsharp Mask (USM) is the other term used for "sharpening". I would suggest leaving the box unchecked and not applying USM during the scan itself. It can create artifact. If you need to do any sharpening, do it in PP and use a "light hand".

Here is a link to the Wikipedia article on USM:

Unsharp masking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Steve

HGMonaro · 02-19-2012, 09:56 PM

agree with Steve... I have an older Epson flatbed and not sure if your's is similar but the inbuilt sharpening is way to heavy handed.

artobest · 02-20-2012, 04:06 AM

I strongly recommend Real World Image Sharpening by Schewe and Fraser. It may be more than you ever wanted to know, but it's the single most useful book on photographic post-processing I've ever read.

02-18-2012, 05:53 PM	#1
slackercruster Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NE, USA Posts: 1,302	Unsharp mask...what is it for? My Epson V500 has a unsharp mask box. What does it do? Thanks

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02-18-2012, 06:07 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Unsharp Mask (USM) is the other term used for "sharpening". I would suggest leaving the box unchecked and not applying USM during the scan itself. It can create artifact. If you need to do any sharpening, do it in PP and use a "light hand". Here is a link to the Wikipedia article on USM: Unsharp masking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Steve

02-19-2012, 09:56 PM	#3
HGMonaro Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melb. Aust Posts: 840	agree with Steve... I have an older Epson flatbed and not sure if your's is similar but the inbuilt sharpening is way to heavy handed.

02-20-2012, 04:06 AM	#4
artobest Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Swansea, Wales Posts: 455	I strongly recommend Real World Image Sharpening by Schewe and Fraser. It may be more than you ever wanted to know, but it's the single most useful book on photographic post-processing I've ever read.