Question about sharpening settings in LR2

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I wondered whether anyone had got a list of recommended settings (amount, radius & detail) for dufferent styles of photography. i.e. a setting for portraits, landscapes etc - or do people tend to use the presets already in LR? I know it will vary greatly on the individual photograph.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Robert
 
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Hi Robert!

Sharpening is a many headed dragon! There are several points in a workflow where sharpening comes into play. There's capture or input sharpening, creative sharpening, and output sharpening.

LR2 has made great strides on the sharpening area but it still has a way to go.

While you can set some rules for yourself for various types of shots I recommend that you experiment and find the settings that are pleasing to your eye as an artist. You should settle on a few settings that will make your images look great. These are basically input/capture sharpening settings.

How you sharpen for final output will depend on where that output is headed. Sharpening for the web is very different that for printed output. Again, while there are numerous suggestions out there, nothing is a substitute for your judgment. Experimenting is the key!
 
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Hi Gene,

Thanks for replying. I'm still experimenting - and I have to admit the in-built presets do a pretty good job generally. I was just trying to cheat a little and save a bit of time. Good point about the output medium tho..... would be esier if everything went either to web or print - but that's not going to happen!
Regards,
Robert
 
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which built in presets for sharpening? are they on the right panel? i can't see ANY presets :(
 
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Hi liquidmonkey

If you have a photo highlighted in the 'develop' module (think it works in 'library too) then right click (on a PC -don't know about macs) and go to Develop settings - and there are what I call presets - sharpen landscape, sharpen portrait, sepia and loads of others. I expect other people don't call them presets - any ideas what they should be called?
They seem to work very well - and are well worth a look.
Come back and let us know what you think.
HTH
Robert
 
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Liquidmonkey, you don't say what version of LR or which module (Library/Develop), but here's the preset dropdown in Library in LR2, see attached.

Click on that drop-down, and all your develop presets should be available.
 
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yeah, sorry about that everyone, i apparently ate a retard sandwhich JUST b4 writing that post. i found all the presets, thanks :)

since ALL my work goes onto the web, which sharpening would u suggest for me?
i see there is an import sharp, then the sharpening on the right menu and finally and output sharpening. i know its a hydra, this whole sharpening thing but any advice is always good :)

ps, i'm using LR 2.' with camera raw 4.5
 
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liquidmonkey said:
yeah, sorry about that everyone, i apparently ate a retard sandwhich JUST b4 writing that post. i found all the presets, thanks :)

since ALL my work goes onto the web, which sharpening would u suggest for me?
i see there is an import sharp, then the sharpening on the right menu and finally and output sharpening. i know its a hydra, this whole sharpening thing but any advice is always good :)

ps, i'm using LR 2.' with camera raw 4.5
Click to expand...

Thanks for the apology..
If you fill in your signature you won't get asked simple questions.
You should test the output sharpening etc against your needs and wants as each person differs it seems. A few simple yests will give you a good impression.
This is all new to everyone else as well.
I don't do much web stuff so have no specific advice.

Cheers
 
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Robert, to help you see what you are doing use the Alt key (Opt on old Macs as it is also Alt now) while playing with the sliders. for example, with the "Masking" slider, holding Alt you can make large detailess patches of color like the sky full black to avoid sharpening the noise you may have just removed in a previous step. What get sharpened is what is left white with gray zones less sharpened.
 
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Hi Denis

thank you for the additional info. about the sliders - will give that a try.
Been in hospital - hence the long delay in acknowledging your reply.
Regards,
Robert
 
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