We all need to sharpen our images after we’ve cleaned them up so today I would like to teach you how to sharpen your images in a faster and easier way.
It can be so monotonous, but not when you record an action in Photoshop! So let’s get to it and talk about how to sharpen your images with Photoshop actions.
Tip: I always use the search tool in Photoshop if I can’t remember the tool location.
Photoshop has pre-made actions for you to play with, but when you find yourself continually completing the same steps on your images, then it’s time for you to record an action! Click on Window>Actions, you’ll see this:
Now that I’ve shown you all of that, let’s record a sharpening action:
Open any image in Photoshop to get this started.
As you can see, there are several icons. Hover over them with your mouse to see what they are. This basically is the area where you will make a new action, record it and save it. Click on the second to the last icon (next to the trashcan) to start your action.
Name the new action, “Sharpening”. You can set defaults, assign a color & function key, but today I left all of that alone.
Now click on the record button.
You will now see a red bottom at the bottom of the action panel. This means you are recording every step you do in Photoshop.
Next duplicate layer:
Name that layer Sharpen High Pass press OK:
Make sure that layer is highlighted:
Next, click on the area in the red circle and click on Insert Menu Item:
You will see this pop up…don’t do anything yet:
Go to Filter > Other > High Pass…after this, click on the OK button.
Click on STOP the button in the red square:
Now you are ready to use the sharpening action. Open any photo and go back to actions. Highlight your Sharpening action and click on the play button and you’ll see it run.
Here is a sample of the high pass layer. A good place to start for sharpening is in the 3ish area but it really depends on your image. If you have a small file you will use less Radius and if you have a large file you’ll increase the pixel radius amount. You only want to see an outline of where you want to sharpen. The example below has been sharpened to much and hallowing will be a problem.
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Now add a quick mask to the layer so you can change your adjustments with the mask and change your layer to soft light. You can also use hard light for more sharpening or overlay.
What I like about this is that you can use the mask to adjust areas of your choice instead of adjusting the entire image.
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It’s been raining here in Southern California. I’m hoping the poppy field will pop this year. I’d love for you to do a rain dance for us. 🙂
Click here to see a couple fun pics in Antelope Valley.
Cheers,
Janice Sullivan
