Photoshop question: USM & 16-bit

kernix

I understand that the unsharp mask filter should be the last operation performed, but does that include converting from 16-bit to 8-bit before you use USM, or should you use the larger file to perform USM and then convert to 8-bit?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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I've been converting first then sharpening.<o:p></o:p>
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Thanks.<o:p></o:p>
Jim<o:p></o:p>

yendikeno

I am by no means an expert, but I do my final sharpening on a 16 bit file as the last step in the editing process, then convert to 8 bit for output. If there's a better way, hopefully someone else will chime in, and we'll both learn something.

pathfinder

I tend to sharpen with USM in 16 bit, before dropping the file down to 8 bits for a final jpg.

With Lightroom2, there is no reason to go to 8 bits frequently, as many of their printer drivers ( MY Epson 3800 anyway ) support 16 bit printing.

Richard

kernix wrote:

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I've been converting first then sharpening.<o:p></o:p>

Sharpen first, then convert. Otherwise, you may end up sharpening artifacts introduced in the conversion.

kernix

Okay - that makes sense - I'll start doing that.

Thanks!