Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Capture One Q&A => Topic started by: robgo2 on February 19, 2010, 01:18:16 pm

Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: robgo2 on February 19, 2010, 01:18:16 pm
I am familiar with the concept of multi-stage sharpening, and it is what I have typically used heretofore.  The C1-5 User's Manual states:

"When an image is destined for post-production or retouching in other
software, it is recommend processing the image without sharpening applied."

However, Capture One 5 also contains some Pre-sharpening defaults.  Somehow, this seems contradictory.  When, if ever, might one want to use these defaults?

Rob
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: Jack Varney on February 19, 2010, 09:14:17 pm
I suggest you ask your question on the PhaseOne site. There are many Capture One users and PhaseOne experts there.
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: ErikKaffehr on February 20, 2010, 05:16:49 am
Hi,

In my view the multi stage sharpening workflow is optimal. The question is where capture-sharpneing should be done. If you are using some more advanced tools like Photokit Sharpener or Noise Ninja downward the processing line you would probably not use capture sharpening in C1. On the other hand, capture sharpening, noise reduction and elimination of chromatic aberration are probably done in connection with the demosaic step.

So I would suggest using capture sharpening in C1 but be careful with amount and radius so no haloes will be induced.

Best regards
Erik


Quote from: robgo2
I am familiar with the concept of multi-stage sharpening, and it is what I have typically used heretofore.  The C1-5 User's Manual states:

"When an image is destined for post-production or retouching in other
software, it is recommend processing the image without sharpening applied."

However, Capture One 5 also contains some Pre-sharpening defaults.  Somehow, this seems contradictory.  When, if ever, might one want to use these defaults?

Rob
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: tho_mas on February 20, 2010, 05:28:11 am
Quote from: robgo2
However, Capture One 5 also contains some Pre-sharpening defaults.  Somehow, this seems contradictory.  When, if ever, might one want to use these defaults?
C1 is a quite well equipped RAW software. So you can edit the images in a way that no further editing in another software is needed. In this case you will likely apply sharpening in C1. And that's what the presets are for (the presets, of course, are just a set of choices).
Too, even if you disable sharpening on output, you might want to use sharpening for preview.
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: robgo2 on February 20, 2010, 12:17:28 pm
Quote from: tho_mas
C1 is a quite well equipped RAW software. So you can edit the images in a way that no further editing in another software is needed. In this case you will likely apply sharpening in C1. And that's what the presets are for (the presets, of course, are just a set of choices).
Too, even if you disable sharpening on output, you might want to use sharpening for preview.

My usual workflow with DxO/Lightroom has been to apply no sharpening in the RAW stage.  Upon converting to TIFF, I use Nik's Sharpener Pro 3 to apply what they call pre-sharpening and subsequently output sharpening as the final step.  If I use the C1 sharpening in RAW, I will skip Nik's pre-sharpening, but I still do not know what is the optimal process.  I must say that on the monitor, C1's default sharpening looks awfully good.

Rob
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: tho_mas on February 21, 2010, 06:18:11 am
Quote from: robgo2
My usual workflow with DxO/Lightroom has been to apply no sharpening in the RAW stage.  Upon converting to TIFF, I use Nik's Sharpener Pro 3 to apply what they call pre-sharpening and subsequently output sharpening as the final step.  If I use the C1 sharpening in RAW, I will skip Nik's pre-sharpening, but I still do not know what is the optimal process.  I must say that on the monitor, C1's default sharpening looks awfully good.
I think nobody can really help you here as sharpening is totally subjective and it depends very much on the final target. If you do some uprezzing (or downrezzing) for the final print in my experience it's generally the best way to leave the capture without any sharpening prior to resizing. The same goes for distortion correction and/or for straightening an image. So I always apply sharpening with regard to the final purpose.
Too, I store my processed 16bit TIFs in my archive (together with the RAW files) and this is why I wouldn't apply any sharpening in the RAW software anway.
Finally - although the sharpening in C1 is generally very good since Version 4 - I miss an option to spare the whites and blacks from sharpening.
However I use the C1 preset "Version 3.7 soft look" as preview for editing my files.
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: Jack Flesher on February 24, 2010, 07:40:35 pm
What Thomas said.  What I can tell you, speaking only from my perspective, is I used to do light capture sharpening, then do post sharpening in CS.  However with C1 5, I soon found I no longer needed to bother with any post sharpening, so I now only do capture sharpening in C1 and call it a day.  (Yes, I think it is that good.)
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: Henry Goh on February 25, 2010, 01:27:00 am
I fully agree with Jack.
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: qwz on February 25, 2010, 04:07:39 am
i agree with Jack too
no need for sharpening after C1 5 in most cases
(i use 3.7 Soft Look preset)
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: LynnNoah on February 25, 2010, 12:02:39 pm
Jack:  Could you describe your C1 sharpening considerations in more detail (pre-sets, settings for variables)?  I'm now using PK for capture & print-output sharpening after processing P-40+ files in C1-5.1.

Thanks,

Lynn Noah
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: Jack Flesher on February 25, 2010, 12:20:06 pm
Quote from: LynnNoah
Jack:  Could you describe your C1 sharpening considerations in more detail (pre-sets, settings for variables)?  I'm now using PK for capture & print-output sharpening after processing P-40+ files in C1-5.1.

Thanks,

Lynn Noah

Hi Lynn,

As Thomas indicated, sharpening is somewhat a personal taste item, though there are practical considerations -- like artifacts.

That said, with a P40+, I would spend some time with one well-captured file with lots of good detail in various frequencies.  Then I would process it starting with the built-in Pre-Sharpen 1 (200/0.5/0.8).  From there, I would start dialing back on the amount to that which still holds detail without creating artifacts in the highest frequency detail.  Then I'd move up on the threshold a bit so noise* doesn't get exaggerated until you find a suitable value.  Then I would tweak radius up and down to benefit most of the various frequencies while keeping free of obvious artifacts.  *Note that sharpening by itself is incomplete without also having a defined NR setting, so a good idea to settle on that first. Here I look for a combination of Lum and Color settings that keep detail high without exaggerating noise, while at the same time keeping color smooth. (As a general rule, I find most of the time I prefer my color slider at around 2x the value of my Lum slider.)  You'll know you've hit sharpening and NR on the head when you pull the processed file into CS and even a slight sharpening like Smart Sharpen at 100%/0.4 generates visible and undesirable artifacts. These usually show up first in high-frequency areas with good contrast.  

Of course all of this is not only camera, but ISO dependent, so at the end of the day you may need to repeat this with several different files.  For myself, I have saved several various groups of these combinations of settings as "Styles" in C1, each with a specific name like "P65+ Daylight ISO 50-100."  So there is no "magic bullet" single sharpening and NR solution, and basically one needs to spend time with good files from each camera at various ISO to get it all sorted out as respects their personal tastes.

PS: In the latest version of C1 an "Advanced" NR tool has been added. For the purposes of dialing in regular sharpening and NR settings, this tool should be zeroed out.  The Fine Grain slider actually defines noise to make it look "better."  The Surface slider knocks back detail in smooth, even-toned areas, so can negatively affect the high frequency detail you're trying to optimize.

Cheers,
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: tho_mas on February 25, 2010, 02:53:50 pm
Quote from: Jack Flesher
Of course all of this is not only camera, but ISO dependent
it also depends on the lens IMO ...
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: LynnNoah on February 25, 2010, 10:46:34 pm
Thanks Jack and Thomas.  I'm experimenting with the tests Jack suggested.  As with other tools in more recent versions of C1, I've found the learning curve a little confusing and frustrating but the superior results worth the effort, so I'm staying in C1 for more of the complete workflow.  A follow-up and perhaps dumb question on which the C1 User Guide still has me scratching my head:  I assume we've been talking only about capture sharpening, but when I get ready to print (from CS4) in possibly different sizes or different paper surfaces, would I still do the appropriate Photokit Sharpener inkjet output sharpening which I've been doing, or, as the C1 User Guide seems to suggest, go back into C1 for what they describe as a more aggressive second stage sharpening?  Or are you saying there would be just the one sharpening stage?  

Lynn
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: ErikKaffehr on February 26, 2010, 01:20:03 am
Hi,

My opinion is that we need a multi step sharpening workflow. Capture sharpening tries to restore fine detail contrast (MTF) lost in capture. The losses arise trough lens aberrations, focusing errors, AA-filter and diffraction. It is not possible to compensate for all problems but for a well executed image capture sharpening really works.

The image that is capture sharpened can be used for any further processing.

Resizing the image causes aliasing and loss of sharpness, so resizing needs to be followed by some sharpening. Rescaling algorithms may or may not sharpen.

Once an image is output for some purpose it needs to be sharpened.

For printing it may be ideal to use Lightroom. Why? If the image is rescaled before printing the rescaling needs to taken into account and proper sharpening applied for output. Lots of experience is contained in the print routine. You can naturally do it yourself in PS, using Photokit Sharpener. The problem is that you need to scale and output sharpen for each image size. BTW, the capture and output sharpening in LR are based on Photokit Sharpener. Lots of experience in that product!

Lightroom does that with a workflow that is correct, tested and proven.

I really recommend the book by Bruce Fraser and Jeff Schewe on image sharpening.

Sorry for talking about Lightroom, I'm aware of you using C1, but LR is the tool I'm familiar with. Anyway, the short answer is that sharpening for output needs to be done just before printing. An image sharpened for printing is not really useful for anything else than printing it in a single predefined size.


Best regards
Erik



Quote from: LynnNoah
Thanks Jack and Thomas.  I'm experimenting with the tests Jack suggested.  As with other tools in more recent versions of C1, I've found the learning curve a little confusing and frustrating but the superior results worth the effort, so I'm staying in C1 for more of the complete workflow.  A follow-up and perhaps dumb question on which the C1 User Guide still has me scratching my head:  I assume we've been talking only about capture sharpening, but when I get ready to print (from CS4) in possibly different sizes or different paper surfaces, would I still do the appropriate Photokit Sharpener inkjet output sharpening which I've been doing, or, as the C1 User Guide seems to suggest, go back into C1 for what they describe as a more aggressive second stage sharpening?  Or are you saying there would be just the one sharpening stage?  

Lynn
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: Jack Flesher on February 26, 2010, 10:55:41 am
Quote from: LynnNoah
I assume we've been talking only about capture sharpening, but when I get ready to print (from CS4) in possibly different sizes or different paper surfaces, would I still do the appropriate Photokit Sharpener inkjet output sharpening which I've been doing, or, as the C1 User Guide seems to suggest, go back into C1 for what they describe as a more aggressive second stage sharpening?  Or are you saying there would be just the one sharpening stage?  

Lynn

Hi Lynn,

I think the best way to state it is this: If the native file is close to perfectly sharpened, then any follow-on sharpening is likely to only add detrimental artifacts and not improve the image in any meaningful fashion, so best to not do it.

It used to be I did a capture sharpening in raw, then in post I ran a detail extraction routine to maximize high-frequency detail in the native sized file. Essentially, these two series went after different frequencies of detail.  In my current workflow it is this second detail enhancement step that I'm finding is no longer needed.  When I downsize for web or small prints, I perform that in CS via "Bicubic Sharper," which in itself contains sharpening as you downsize -- so in that fashion I am sharpening for output, but I do not use any other sharpening tool beyond that.  If I have to upsize, my routine uses Bicubic Smoother to 20% over desired size, then Bicubic Sharper to get back down to desired print size. This is sort of a quasi fractal sharpening method,  and again is my typical sharpening routine for print and usually no other output sharpening is required.  With very large prints, I sometimes invoke a targeted sharpening routine for edges and a second masked set for detail, however, since C1 ver 5 I have yet to need to do this for any of my captures.  Finally, if you print via a RIP or printing program like Q-Image, they apply their own proprietary output size-based sharpening algorithms that are usually quite good. (Personally, I send a pre-sized and optimized file to the printer as per above, so I dial this option down to the lower settings.)  

As for 3rd party sharpeners like Nik, I honestly have never needed them.  Not saying they're bad -- in fact they are probably great for folks that can't sharpen using CS, or who want to paint-in their sharpening. But IMO they're definitely not necessary, and even less so now with the improvements in C1 --  but then I like a simple, streamlined workflow, so the fewer programs I use, the better.

Again, this is just my basic workflow and YMMV...

Cheers,
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: LynnNoah on February 26, 2010, 04:04:29 pm
Jack, I appreciate your sharing your detailed insights into what I've found to be one of the fuzzier (pun intended) aspects of my C1 learning curve.  I'm working on some comparison testing, including with & without PK & LR pre-print sharpening as Erik suggested, and BTW have signed up for Glacier, so I'll let you know how it goes for me.

Lynn
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: Jack Flesher on February 26, 2010, 04:55:13 pm
Quote from: LynnNoah
BTW have signed up for Glacier, so I'll let you know how it goes for me.

I am planning to be there too .  I'll be happy to spend some time with you if you don't already have C1 nailed by then.

Cheers,
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: Nill Toulme on February 26, 2010, 05:11:19 pm
I sometimes like to use variations on the 20,50,0 "haze reduction" USM approach.  Is there a good way to efficiently accomplish something similar in C1?

Nill
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: Jack Flesher on February 26, 2010, 05:41:03 pm
Quote from: Nill Toulme
I sometimes like to use variations on the 20,50,0 "haze reduction" USM approach.  Is there a good way to efficiently accomplish something similar in C1?

Nill

Hi Nill,

C1 only lets you take the radius up to 2.5 in their sharpening tool,  so you can't get wide enough.  I think the best option within C1 is probably the clarity slider.
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: robgo2 on February 26, 2010, 06:23:01 pm
Jack,

I really appreciate your expert input on this subject.  Can you explain why the Capture One User's Guide recommends against sharpening in C1, if sharpening will be done in downstream editors?

Rob
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: Jack Flesher on February 26, 2010, 07:06:19 pm
Quote from: robgo2
Can you explain why the Capture One User's Guide recommends against sharpening in C1, if sharpening will be done in downstream editors?

Rob

I honestly don't know, but will wager this guess: If you sharpen to taste in C1, its sharpening is so effective that any post sharpening is overkill and adds artifacts.
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: Schewe on February 26, 2010, 09:50:33 pm
Quote from: Jack Flesher
I honestly don't know, but will wager this guess: If you sharpen to taste in C1, its sharpening is so effective that any post sharpening is overkill and adds artifacts.


Uh, if you sharpen to taste and it looks good at 100% (1:1) zoom then it will be under sharpened for any sort of print output–either ink jet or halftone. Output sharpening by definition needs to be visibly over sharpened...because it's impossible to preview the final output resolution to size on a display...

Just saying, C1 5.1's sharpening may be useful but it ain't output sharpening...
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: Jack Flesher on February 26, 2010, 11:25:51 pm
Quote from: Schewe
Uh, if you sharpen to taste and it looks good at 100% (1:1) zoom then it will be under sharpened for any sort of print output–either ink jet or halftone. Output sharpening by definition needs to be visibly over sharpened...because it's impossible to preview the final output resolution to size on a display...

Just saying, C1 5.1's sharpening may be useful but it ain't output sharpening...

I didn't think Rob was asking about output sharpening, I thought he was asking about post-process sharpening which I view as an interim step between capture and output, and the one I no longer perform. As I indicated earlier in this thread, I do still sharpen for intended output.
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: tho_mas on February 27, 2010, 07:37:05 am
Quote from: robgo2
Can you explain why the Capture One User's Guide recommends against sharpening in C1, if sharpening will be done in downstream editors?
For instance if you want to soften skin of a portrait capture sharpening in the RAW software is counterproductive. Too, if you shoot wide open with a very shallow DOF you may want to sharpen only the in focus areas and leave the out of focus totally without sharpening. Too, if you shoot at higher ISO you may want to leave smooth surfaces (sky or so) without sharpening. ... etc. Too, again, if there are any further image transformations like distortion correction, rotation, resizing and the like it may be better to leave the image without sharpening in the first step.
Too, you may prefer different sharpening tools (I for one use Focal Blade for capture sharpening).
Bottom line: if you process your files without sharpening you simply keep more options for further editing.
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: robgo2 on February 27, 2010, 07:14:38 pm
Quote from: Jack Flesher
I didn't think Rob was asking about output sharpening, I thought he was asking about post-process sharpening which I view as an interim step between capture and output, and the one I no longer perform. As I indicated earlier in this thread, I do still sharpen for intended output.

Exactly.  Final output sharpening is a given.  I have been happily using Nik's pre-sharpener after conversion to TIFF, but that is only without any sharpening in the RAW stage.  Results are very good.  I will have to run some tests using the C1 sharpening, but skipping the TIFF pre-sharpener.

Rob
Title: To sharpen or not to sharpen in Capture One
Post by: GGordon on March 09, 2010, 09:41:44 pm
Quote from: Jack Flesher
Hi Lynn,

I think the best way to state it is this: If the native file is close to perfectly sharpened, then any follow-on sharpening is likely to only add detrimental artifacts and not improve the image in any meaningful fashion, so best to not do it.

It used to be I did a capture sharpening in raw, then in post I ran a detail extraction routine to maximize high-frequency detail in the native sized file. Essentially, these two series went after different frequencies of detail.  In my current workflow it is this second detail enhancement step that I'm finding is no longer needed.  When I downsize for web or small prints, I perform that in CS via "Bicubic Sharper," which in itself contains sharpening as you downsize -- so in that fashion I am sharpening for output, but I do not use any other sharpening tool beyond that.  If I have to upsize, my routine uses Bicubic Smoother to 20% over desired size, then Bicubic Sharper to get back down to desired print size. This is sort of a quasi fractal sharpening method,  and again is my typical sharpening routine for print and usually no other output sharpening is required.  With very large prints, I sometimes invoke a targeted sharpening routine for edges and a second masked set for detail, however, since C1 ver 5 I have yet to need to do this for any of my captures.  Finally, if you print via a RIP or printing program like Q-Image, they apply their own proprietary output size-based sharpening algorithms that are usually quite good. (Personally, I send a pre-sized and optimized file to the printer as per above, so I dial this option down to the lower settings.)  

As for 3rd party sharpeners like Nik, I honestly have never needed them.  Not saying they're bad -- in fact they are probably great for folks that can't sharpen using CS, or who want to paint-in their sharpening. But IMO they're definitely not necessary, and even less so now with the improvements in C1 --  but then I like a simple, streamlined workflow, so the fewer programs I use, the better.

Again, this is just my basic workflow and YMMV...

Cheers,


Good info there. I have saved my sharpening till the image is in LR or PS about to be printed but absolutely need to try C1 for output sharpening. If anything I have a tendancy to under sharpen so a comparison may be hard to prove to even to myself. I normally find the clarity slider draws out most of the needed detail so I then go light with the sharpening.