Blurred high-pass sharpen

[dmstraker]

Here's a cute variation on sharpening that seems good for faces, based off the video here. It uses the Bilateral Blur, which is good at preserving edges while it blurs the rest of the image (eg. to stop sharpening skin).

1. Duplicate layer
2. Apply live Bilateral Blur filter to top layer. Adjust to soften image while preserving main edges.
3. Apply live High Pass to top layer. Adjust to suit.
4. Blend the top layer, for example with Hard Light (or other contrast mode).

Using live filters means you can still play with the settings. You can also play with using other blur modes in step 2. Keep an eye on the greyed top layer (turn off bottom layer to see this). If you can't see any edge, you won't get any sharpening.

[anon1]

looks quite good to me, easy and well adjustable 

 

 

 

did you do it like this or how?

 

for this to work on compositions instead of pixel layers linked layers/ linked groups would be nice, if they appear (???)

 

[dmstraker]

I did it like this (two-layer). Any effective difference?
 

It's quite handy to be able to switch back and forth between the BB and the HP to get the best edge selection. Turning off the bottom layer lets you see the grey layer, which can help. Turning Preserve Alpha on and off on the BB I can't see any change in the image.

You can even do it like this (one-layer), saving a pixel layer.

[dmstraker]

... replacing the bilateral blur with a median blur, which also preserves edges, has a very similar effect. A difference is the bilateral version has two sliders to play with...

[anon1]

On 26.9.2017 at 10:32 PM, dmstraker said:

 

that looks better actually, because it works on any group as well and thus on any layer composition 

 

thanks 

 

EDIT:

I just do not see this working for me, the blur blurs the image and then sharpens it, thus is is not the same effects actually it is just a weird effect, how did it work out for you?

[anon1]

EDIT:

I just do not see this working for me, the blur blurs the image and then sharpens it, thus is is not the same effects actually it is just a weird effect, how did it work out for you?

[dmstraker]

Ah. Interesting. Not the same effect!

Attached is a simple test. Three groups and a layer. Bottom layer is test image of progressively blurred lines. Zoom in to pixel level to see effects. Three groups are three different attempts. Progressively hide groups to see effect. Top two groups have same effect. Bottom group is different -- shows you're right, MBd. I learned something here. Thanks! I also tried shuffling the order of the adjustments in the bottom group to no avail, btw.

bilateral_sharpening_test.afphoto

[Emrebel]

Thanks for sharing the tip!!!

Here is a sample picture for quick test I captured yesterday (both before and after the effect)..

After:

Before: