Sharpening Fundamentals
Image sharpening enhances edge contrast to create the perception of increased detail and clarity. It works by identifying edges and increasing contrast between light and dark areas.
When to Apply Sharpening
Sharpen images after resizing, to compensate for softness from digital cameras, or to enhance scanned photos. It's typically the final step in image processing workflow.
Avoiding Artifacts
Over-sharpening creates halos, noise, and unnatural-looking images. Use moderate settings and always preview the results to maintain natural appearance.