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Photoshop question: USM & 16-bit

kernixkernix Registered Users Posts: 11 Big grins
edited October 17, 2009 in Finishing School
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>
James Kernicky
www.jfk-photo.com

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    yendikenoyendikeno Registered Users Posts: 214 Major grins
    edited October 17, 2009
    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. :D
    Regards,
    AZFred
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    pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,698 moderator
    edited October 17, 2009
    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.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
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    RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,933 moderator
    edited October 17, 2009
    kernix wrote:
    <o:p></o:p>
    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.
    My Pics
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    kernixkernix Registered Users Posts: 11 Big grins
    edited October 17, 2009
    Okay - that makes sense - I'll start doing that.

    Thanks!
    James Kernicky
    www.jfk-photo.com
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