Hi All
I'm a LR4 user right now and i'm trialing the Nik software Sharpener Pro.
I've been successfully using the RAW re-sharpener ok but I'm confused on how to use this software for output sharpening in LR4.
I understand that output sharpening should be done at or after the downsizing stage, but I don't see a mechanism to do that in LR.
The Nik output sharpener window has no re-sizing function, you're stuck with original image dimensions.
As far as I know the only way to downsize in LR is to export, is that correct?
So is there any other way than exporting to the required dimensioning, importing the downsized image and then running the Output sharpener in Nik Sharpener pro within LR?
I've found that it often over-sharpens images to the point that they have can appear too sharp. Obviously their are uses for it, but plenty of "free" ways to handle output sharpening by hand.
NIK is set to AUTO resize by default. You can change it to the final size output if you want. NIK has lots of videos on line which you should check out.
ModifiedPhoto wrote:
I've found that it often over-sharpens images to the point that they have can appear too sharp. Obviously their are uses for it, but plenty of "free" ways to handle output sharpening by hand.
I agree It's avery useful tool, but not as good as I thought it was when I first got it. I now tend to use it as an output sharpener for prints but not for screen/projected
Niall
Screen images and prints need to be sharpened differently. Sharpening for screen view can be judged visually on screen but when sharpening for printing the goal is compenstating for the mechanical variables of the printing process and the only way to objectively determine which approach and amount of sharpening works best is to take the same file, sharpen it different ways, put the prints on the wall at the distance they will be view and compare. This can be done on a single print by copy/pasting the same section of the larger image with various amounts of sharpening.
If you test that way you'll likely find that the sharpening that looks best for wall displayed prints at typical viewing distance look over sharpened when the file is viewed on screen.
I own the NIK filter suite, including NIK Sharpener Pro. For those unfamiliar with the product, there are several sharpening options. You can pre-sharpen RAW files. You can also sharpen for both screen and print output. You can even selectively sharpen just certain areas of the image. While there are a number of presets, you can customize the settings to suit your tastes.
I have made some prints using NIK Sharpener instead of other methods. The prints from my Pixma Pro 9500 look fine. I plan to do some comparisons when time allows.
Here's a good review by Northlight Images who use the product commercially.
