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High Pass Sharpening Method for Photoshop

by Lou Belloisy

(This tip was submitted by a user.)

  • Process your photo as you normally would, except for sharpening.
  • Convert it to 8 bit.
  • Go to the Layers Window, click the Background Layer, and create a duplicate layer (Layer/Duplicate Layer). Name this layer "Sharpening."
  • Making sure the Sharpening Layer is selected, go to Filters/Other/High Pass. Select a radius under 10 (8 is a good number to try) and click OK. Your photo will look gray, but don't worry about it.
  • Return to the Layers Window and select the Sharpening Layer. Change the setting from Normal to Soft Light. At this point the photo will probably look a little too sharp.
  • Change the Opacity to something under 70%. Experiment until you find the look you like.