Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Adobe Lightroom Q&A => Topic started by: Calder on August 22, 2007, 12:39:32 pm

Title: Clarity and sharpness
Post by: Calder on August 22, 2007, 12:39:32 pm

Can anybody please explain to me the
differences between the 'clarity' and the 'sharpness'
functions in LR.  They both 'seem' to do the same thing?
The manual says the clarity control adds more 'punch'
Any assistance would be very welcome.

Rob

Title: Clarity and sharpness
Post by: Valence on August 22, 2007, 09:39:48 pm

Quote

Can anybody please explain to me the
differences between the 'clarity' and the 'sharpness'
functions in LR.  They both 'seem' to do the same thing?
The manual says the clarity control adds more 'punch'
Any assistance would be very welcome.

Rob
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Rob,
I don't think I can explain it but what I can say is that just today I watched a video on the NAPP site which did explain Clarity. It essentially controls the life found in the mid tones only. The presenter showed an example of a mountainous landscape at 100 %. As the clarity slider was adjusted, the power of this feature was quite evident.
Try it.

Val

Title: Clarity and sharpness
Post by: digitaldog on August 23, 2007, 08:45:32 am

Quote

Can anybody please explain to me the
differences between the 'clarity' and the 'sharpness'
functions in LR.  They both 'seem' to do the same thing?
The manual says the clarity control adds more 'punch'
Any assistance would be very welcome.

Rob
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Clarity is a Midtone contrast adjustment. Its based on a technique of Mac Holbert's in Photoshop to make Midtone contrast snap.

Title: Clarity and sharpness
Post by: Calder on August 24, 2007, 05:33:55 am

Quote

Clarity is a Midtone contrast adjustment. Its based on a technique of Mac Holbert's in Photoshop to make Midtone contrast snap.
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Thanks to both Val and Andrew for your answers.

Understand the Clarity adjustment is for midtone.  
This makes sense, because in my experiements (trial and error, actually)
I've found it to do just that.  Its super in adjusting the midtones and I find it can make quite a difference to the overall effect.

In fact, I find the whole range of adjustments in LR suit my style of photography pretty well. I'm pleased with LR.

Thanks again

Rob

Title: Clarity and sharpness
Post by: thompsonkirk on August 24, 2007, 11:52:35 am

I have some doubts about using Clarity, because the amount of midtone contrast enhancement that you want will later depend just how you want your final print to look.  IMO it's wiser not to lock in a midtone contrast adjustment at the point of RAW conversion.  I'd recommend using Holbert's action later in your workflow, because it gives you a layer whose opacity you can boost or decrease when making the final print.  

To be specific:  A small workprint often looks best with less midtone contrast boost; but a larger print often 'asks for' a a higher setting.  It's really helpful to have a midtone contrast layer there to work with, just by moving the opacity slider.  

Kirk