Ikkyblog

Digital photographs are a little soft by nature. Most require at least one pass of sharpening, and often require more than one to look their best on the web. In this tutorial I am going to use my favorite and most often used technique. It’s called Luko USM. This technique I find invaluable for portraits, but it works well for most things.

2. Luko USM

Start with your image already sized for the web.
Duplicate your image layer and name it Luko

Highlight your Luko layer, go to Filters > Sharpen and pick Unsharp Mask.

Adjust the sliders to Amount 18%, Radius 40 pixels, Threshold 0 levels.

Again, go to Filters > Sharpen and pick Unsharp Mask.

Adjust the sliders to Amount 150%, Radius 0.3 pixels, Threshold 0 levels.

Next, go to Edit > Fade Unsharp Mask

Choose Opacity 100%, Mode Darken.

Again, go to Filters > Sharpen and pick Unsharp Mask.

Adjust the sliders to Amount 150%, Radius 0.3 pixels, Threshold 0 levels.

Again, go to Edit > Fade Unsharp Mask

Choose Opacity 100%, Mode Lighten.

The finished product becomes this before and after picture. (click for a larger image):