Real World Image Sharpening with Adobe Photoshop CS2 [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

There are plenty of books by Photoshop gurus that explain the software's tone and color controls and most users can usually master these functions if they make a serious effort. But one function that always seems rather inexact is the detail function, as exemplified by the sharpening tools. This still seems to be a rather hit or miss proposition, and there has long been a need for more detailed instruction on this function. Fraser takes the function on, and even if you don't agree with all his recommendations, this book should clarify what sharpening is about.

The book spends more time explaining how and why to sharpen than actually showing the reader how to sharpen pictures and that's as it should be since using the sharpening tools is relatively simple once you understand what is happening.

Fraser agrees with most experts that output sharpening should be the last thing you do to an image before you print or create a web page. However, he convincingly argues for sharpening in several passes for source and content before output sharpening. However to avoid the problems created by over-sharpening an image, he strictly controls source and content sharpening through the use of image masks in the earlier stages.

He also recognizes that dealing with digital noise before sharpening is critical to avoid actually enhancing the noise. He recommends doing this in the raw processing stage where possible, and recommends the use of plug-ins where noise is really serious.

Fraser's writing is clear and unambiguous. The first time he describes a procedure he includes all the steps involved. Fraser explains the use of smart sharpening, but generally dismisses this Photoshop tool in favor of unsharp mask. As a final chapter he includes a number of examples from media as different as a large format transparency and the scan of a print, with a list of steps. The book is profusely illustrated. In many cases we see that the recommended procedures make barely noticeable but positive changes.

The real test is whether the author's multi-pass approach to sharpening really works. I tried it on several pictures and all of them looked better with the multi-pass approach. On the other hand, a question arises as to whether the benefits to be derived from multi-pass processing are worth the effort. Even though Fraser provides you with instructions on created actions to accomplish these tasks, the effort may not always be worth it. On the other hand, for the gallery quality print it probably is worth while.

This book is not for the beginning Photoshop user, but rather for the experienced user. This is not only because Fraser assumes the reader knows how to use Photoshop tools like blending modes and masks, but also because the reader must have enough experience to know when and whether Fraser's recommendations should be adopted. But for the experienced user, I consider this book essential reading.

This book nicely compiles all of the information regarding multi-stage sharpening workflows Mr. Fraser has previously published in various articles over the years. If you've never read any of them, then this is a definite must buy. If you've read all of them, you won't find a lot of new information here aside from the highly welcome detailed explanation of CS2's Smart Sharpen filter. Adobe's own documentation has always been pretty ambiguous as to what all the little checkboxes and sliders do in the new dialog.

My main complaint about the book is the size of the images and quality of the paper used in its printing. It is often times impossible to see any difference whatsoever between two variations of a single image. I understand that many of the examples are meant to differ only subtly (the reader is certainly beaten over the head with this information enough times throughout the first few chapters), but it would make it a lot easier to see those subtle differences if the images were larger and printed on a heavier, glossier stock. My copy also suffered from a large number of printing boo-boos (looks like the ink wasn't drying and smeared all over the place) which is no doubt exacerbating the problem.

Overall, it's an excellent book, I just think the price is a little steep considering the quality and size of the product coupled with the fact that most of the information is available free of charge on the web. Please stop printing books about photography on such flimsy stock, Peachpit.

As a photographer and owner of a photo-restoration business, this was a very important topic for me. I regularly get out of focus images to restore and often the basic sharpening methods in Photoshop simply aren't sufficient.

There is a lot of theory in the beginning of the book, which is good; helpful especially if you don't have a solid understanding of digital sharpening, but then comes the real meat. Fraser goes into many different ways to achieve the effects you need with detailed instruction. It's sometimes hard to see the changes in his photo illustrations, but trust him and try what he says. My copy is FULL of post-it tabs. Superb book for the professional.