Originally posted by sany thanks for that, does this mean that the DOF is also shallow? this is the reason I kept it at F22 expecting that I will get a wide DOF.
sany, do help demonstrate, here's a shot taken at f/11 using a 35mm f/3.5 lens on a K20D. Click to view the image full size(1:1) and see if you think the DOF worked to preserve the sharpness within the entire image.
And though, I could have shot at f/16, I've found that shooting at f/11 at this focal length combined is all that's needed to produce sharp, crisp scenes.
K20D, K 35mm 3.5, F11, 1/200, ISO200 - cropped
Originally posted by dadipentak Any suggestions regarding how to learn that?
Hello, dadipentak
Microconstrast is an amazing feature in post processing that allows us to emphasize or extrapolate microdetail.
Which is in itself still sharpening, but that is done selectively instead of globally. This can be done with or without plugins. However, if you can, I would highly recommend using a plugin as it makes life alot easier. Otherwise, the only method I know of adjusting microcontrast, is to use the highpass filter in Photoshop to create a detail map via composite(layered image). Which isn't so much hard, as it takes practice in order to learn what to look for and how to best apply it(via masking etc). So that's that.
However, if you're into plugins, then life just got a lot easier.
The first on my list would be Topaz Detail. Because its easy and it works.
The software allows you to dial-in microntrast in form of detail size(micro, med, large etc) as well as global sharpening and deblurring. So it gives you alot of power at your fingertips. Its only downside is that it doesn't do anything to preserve edge detail and can easily result in artifacts/noise. - so that's my take on Topaz detail in a nutshell.
My second plugin would be Nik Software Sharpener Pro, which shares many of the capabilities of Topaz Detail, but uses a very different approach via u-point technology and I believe they recently incorporated brush/masking in their plugin. Either way, microntrast is rightfully called "structure" in this package and has the advantage of edge preservation over Topaz Detail. However... it does not have features such as deblur and some of the other useful tools in Found in Topaz Detail and so I would highly recommend someone try(30 day demo) both prior to investing any money in them.
For the 3'rd and final plugin(saved the best for last
), I would recommend Focal Blade.
Focal Blade is the most powerful, advanced sharpening, edging tool ever created for Photoshop.
However... as with everything else, the old adage of "with great power comes great responsibility" is in full effect with Focal Blade.
And that is, where it has a learning curve. And the curve can be long and steep, if you want it to be. It really depends on your needs and how much you know(understand) about unsharp masking, and digital image technology. However, there's no doubt that Focal Blade can do anything if you know how to do it. - And so I'll just summarize that Focal Blade as the ultimate tool.
Well that's it in a nutshell for microcontrast and sharpening.
So in summary, I'd like to add that sharpness is a highly misinterpreted image attribute. Especially in RAW!
I often hear people complaining about sharpness and/or detail when processing in RAW only to find that they misunderstood how sharpness works in digital imaging. To which I'd add, if the image characteristics are good, then it can be sharpened to any level.
A good RAW image is never sharp, it is neutral.. This means artifact free contrast edges, noise free shadow and midtone regions and uniform, consistent grain. This means, we can extrapolate detail without artifacts and distortion. And that is what GOOD RAW images are made of.
Hope this helps
JohnB