A little cure for pixel-peeping (helped me a lot)

GabrielFFontes · 03-29-2013, 01:19 PM

Hey guys!
Well, it's been a week since i've started using this little trick to cure my pixel-peeping, and it's something really simple :
I just set the default sharpening amount on my camera raw to 70, meaning that everytime i open an image, it's already sharpened.
It really worked for me...every lens seems much sharper, even though i already sharpened it everytime. I guess it just tricks my mind, but anyway...
PS : Even if it sounds silly (it did to me), just try it, and then tell me what you think.

Last edited by GabrielFFontes; 03-29-2013 at 01:25 PM.

Anvh · 03-29-2013, 01:41 PM

best things are already invented, it even has a name. input sharpening.
it's sharpening done to remove the blur of the AA filter and of the lens.

DXO makes profiles for the camera and lens combination if you want a program.

JinDesu · 03-29-2013, 01:53 PM

The cure to pixel peeping:

Own only sharp lenses.

**Kerrowdown** · 03-29-2013, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Own only sharp lenses

Very true, but just change the idiot behind the camera who can't focus.

kenafein · 03-29-2013, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

The cure to pixel peeping:

Own only sharp lenses.

and be a skilled and talented photographer.

**Miguel** · 03-29-2013, 01:57 PM

As Anvh said, its got a name--couple really--but I prefer to start with LR's default of 25. The problem with jacking up capture sharpening across the board is that it prevents you from perceiving what elements of the image actually need more or less sharpening, and then applying different qualities of sharpening. Might as well throw in clarity too.

But, if sharpness is the only criterion you gauge for image quality, then I'm glad this trick works for you. For me, sharpness is just a healthy slice of a bigger pie.

M

JinDesu · 03-29-2013, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by kenafein

and be a skilled and talented photographer.

We are all skilled and talented! After all, the camera and lens are the weakness, not the photographer!

kenafein · 03-29-2013, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

We are all skilled and talented! After all, the camera and lens are the weakness, not the photographer!

So instead of the self-loathing, I should be blaming my equipment, you've just saved me years of counseling.

JinDesu · 03-29-2013, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by kenafein

So instead of the self-loathing, I should be blaming my equipment, you've just saved me years of counseling.

Remember, if there's still problems, you need a D800.

kenafein · 03-29-2013, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Remember, if there's still problems, you need a D800.

What's really funny. My friend had a D7000, and his shots were often miss-focused and generally not very good. I calibrated one of his lenses for him, but he went out and bought a D600 and everything is much better; and I always told him you couldn't buy skill. He's a lot happier now. The focus and the metering system in that camera is very good.

Anvh · 03-29-2013, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by Miguel

As Anvh said, its got a name--couple really--but I prefer to start with LR's default of 25. The problem with jacking up capture sharpening across the board is that it prevents you from perceiving what elements of the image actually need more or less sharpening, and then applying different qualities of sharpening. Might as well throw in clarity too.

But, if sharpness is the only criterion you gauge for image quality, then I'm glad this trick works for you. For me, sharpness is just a healthy slice of a bigger pie.

M

Selective sharpening is often a form of creative sharpening though. You sharpen th eyes and mouth a tad more with portraits for example.
For input sharpening i use 0,5 pixels with lightroom and set it about 60 to 70. Since the setting of pixels is so low it only " up" definition to the parts that are already sharp

To make the list complete there is also output sharpening.
with print that is needed because of the greater viewing distance and for online you need to sharpen slightly after resizing to bring back the "edge" it has on full size.

bossa · 03-29-2013, 03:05 PM

As far as I know you cannot sharpen in-camera when shooting RAW so I have no idea what you guys are talking about frankly. I usually set up LR to do basic sharpening on input and then tweak it as needed.

Anvh · 03-29-2013, 03:20 PM

Originally posted by bossa

As far as I know you cannot sharpen in-camera when shooting RAW so I have no idea what you guys are talking about frankly. I usually set up LR to do basic sharpening on input and then tweak it as needed.

If we go that way, you can not even open RAW on the camera to begin with

Anvh · 03-29-2013, 03:30 PM

Might actually be a nice feature if LR had the kind of profiles as DXO.
I know you can set up preset to lens and camera but having standard proflies from Adobe in this case would be great.
Maybe something for LR 5?

GabrielFFontes · 03-29-2013, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by Miguel

As Anvh said, its got a name--couple really--but I prefer to start with LR's default of 25. The problem with jacking up capture sharpening across the board is that it prevents you from perceiving what elements of the image actually need more or less sharpening, and then applying different qualities of sharpening. Might as well throw in clarity too.

But, if sharpness is the only criterion you gauge for image quality, then I'm glad this trick works for you. For me, sharpness is just a healthy slice of a bigger pie.

M

Sharpness certainly isn't the most important factor, but contrast, colors, overall punch, bokeh, vignetting, distortion, etc. aren't really pixel-peeping, because you can analyze them without zooming in so far...so this thing helped me a bit with my pixel-peeping.

03-29-2013, 01:19 PM	#1
GabrielFFontes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Posts: 647	A little cure for pixel-peeping (helped me a lot) Hey guys! Well, it's been a week since i've started using this little trick to cure my pixel-peeping, and it's something really simple : I just set the default sharpening amount on my camera raw to 70, meaning that everytime i open an image, it's already sharpened. It really worked for me...every lens seems much sharper, even though i already sharpened it everytime. I guess it just tricks my mind, but anyway... PS : Even if it sounds silly (it did to me), just try it, and then tell me what you think. Last edited by GabrielFFontes; 03-29-2013 at 01:25 PM.

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03-29-2013, 01:41 PM	#2
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	best things are already invented, it even has a name. input sharpening. it's sharpening done to remove the blur of the AA filter and of the lens. DXO makes profiles for the camera and lens combination if you want a program.

03-29-2013, 01:53 PM	#3
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	The cure to pixel peeping: Own only sharp lenses.

03-29-2013, 01:55 PM	#4
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Originally posted by JinDesu Own only sharp lenses Very true, but just change the idiot behind the camera who can't focus.

03-29-2013, 01:56 PM	#5
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Originally posted by JinDesu The cure to pixel peeping: Own only sharp lenses. and be a skilled and talented photographer.

03-29-2013, 01:57 PM	#6
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	As Anvh said, its got a name--couple really--but I prefer to start with LR's default of 25. The problem with jacking up capture sharpening across the board is that it prevents you from perceiving what elements of the image actually need more or less sharpening, and then applying different qualities of sharpening. Might as well throw in clarity too. But, if sharpness is the only criterion you gauge for image quality, then I'm glad this trick works for you. For me, sharpness is just a healthy slice of a bigger pie. M

03-29-2013, 01:59 PM	#7
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by kenafein and be a skilled and talented photographer. We are all skilled and talented! After all, the camera and lens are the weakness, not the photographer!

03-29-2013, 02:01 PM	#8
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Originally posted by JinDesu We are all skilled and talented! After all, the camera and lens are the weakness, not the photographer! So instead of the self-loathing, I should be blaming my equipment, you've just saved me years of counseling.

03-29-2013, 02:22 PM	#9
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by kenafein So instead of the self-loathing, I should be blaming my equipment, you've just saved me years of counseling. Remember, if there's still problems, you need a D800.

03-29-2013, 02:45 PM	#10
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Originally posted by JinDesu Remember, if there's still problems, you need a D800. What's really funny. My friend had a D7000, and his shots were often miss-focused and generally not very good. I calibrated one of his lenses for him, but he went out and bought a D600 and everything is much better; and I always told him you couldn't buy skill. He's a lot happier now. The focus and the metering system in that camera is very good.

03-29-2013, 02:55 PM	#11
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Originally posted by Miguel As Anvh said, its got a name--couple really--but I prefer to start with LR's default of 25. The problem with jacking up capture sharpening across the board is that it prevents you from perceiving what elements of the image actually need more or less sharpening, and then applying different qualities of sharpening. Might as well throw in clarity too. But, if sharpness is the only criterion you gauge for image quality, then I'm glad this trick works for you. For me, sharpness is just a healthy slice of a bigger pie. M Selective sharpening is often a form of creative sharpening though. You sharpen th eyes and mouth a tad more with portraits for example. For input sharpening i use 0,5 pixels with lightroom and set it about 60 to 70. Since the setting of pixels is so low it only " up" definition to the parts that are already sharp To make the list complete there is also output sharpening. with print that is needed because of the greater viewing distance and for online you need to sharpen slightly after resizing to bring back the "edge" it has on full size.

03-29-2013, 03:05 PM	#12
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	As far as I know you cannot sharpen in-camera when shooting RAW so I have no idea what you guys are talking about frankly. I usually set up LR to do basic sharpening on input and then tweak it as needed.

03-29-2013, 03:20 PM	#13
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Originally posted by bossa As far as I know you cannot sharpen in-camera when shooting RAW so I have no idea what you guys are talking about frankly. I usually set up LR to do basic sharpening on input and then tweak it as needed. If we go that way, you can not even open RAW on the camera to begin with

03-29-2013, 03:30 PM	#14
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Might actually be a nice feature if LR had the kind of profiles as DXO. I know you can set up preset to lens and camera but having standard proflies from Adobe in this case would be great. Maybe something for LR 5?

03-29-2013, 03:33 PM	#15
GabrielFFontes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Posts: 647 Original Poster	Originally posted by Miguel As Anvh said, its got a name--couple really--but I prefer to start with LR's default of 25. The problem with jacking up capture sharpening across the board is that it prevents you from perceiving what elements of the image actually need more or less sharpening, and then applying different qualities of sharpening. Might as well throw in clarity too. But, if sharpness is the only criterion you gauge for image quality, then I'm glad this trick works for you. For me, sharpness is just a healthy slice of a bigger pie. M Sharpness certainly isn't the most important factor, but contrast, colors, overall punch, bokeh, vignetting, distortion, etc. aren't really pixel-peeping, because you can analyze them without zooming in so far...so this thing helped me a bit with my pixel-peeping.