Hi Everyone! I am new to digital photography, having started in August with a Pentax K10D for my birthday. Since then, it's been an amazing and fun journey on the learning curve.
While I have read many of the threads here (and thanks so much to all of you who contribute, your experience and input is invaluable) I haven't quite found my question answered so I'm starting my first post. OK, here goes...
Shooting in DNG, my software is LR 1.2, CS3, PK Sharpener and Noise Ninja.
My question is on sharpening workflow. Right now I'm importing into LR, doing all the great things it does, then exporting the images as "processed RAW" into a seperate file folder. Using Bridge, I bring the "processed RAW" images into CS3, and do any tweaking necessary (mainly curves and saturation as part of the soft proofing suggestions in the "from camera to print" video) then save as a TIFF for printing in a "Print Ready" folder and I'm good to go.
EXCEPT - When is the best time to sharpen and with what? Should I do the input sharpening with LR? As Jeff comments in the video "this requires some intelligence" and I'm not sure I understand the process/subject enough to get in right in LR and/or if LR is currently the best app to do capture sharpening.
OR...
Do I do capture and output sharpening in CS3 with PKS? If so when? Capture sharpening first during the softproof and output sharpening last, both at first or both at the very last? I tried unsharp mask and while that did help, it appeared PKS was a better option and as of right now...I'm done buying software...hey, I'd like to be out taking some pics once in a while!
Lastly, I import the TIFF back into LR for printing (HP B9180) and whould like to know if I need to use the LR print sharpening. Jeff says anything but the high setting isn't of much value but after capture/output sharpening with PKS, is it even needed?
One side question - Noise reduction first, before CS3 sharpening and tweaks, correct?
I very much appreciate any help anyone may have and thanks to Michael for such a great site and forum...it's been a HUGE help as I get started in photography.
Best regards,
Phil Weber