Expert: Glen Demers - 1/28/2010

Question
Hi Glenn:

We publish a monthly newsletter that normally includes photos that we've taken of events or are submissions from members.  The photos almost always come in blurry (especially when you print).  We've tried editing in PhotoShop upping to 300 DPI and using the Sharpen function.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.  It sure seems to me for such a "giant" of a software package (CS 3)it should be much easier to sharpen up your photos.  Any advice is appreciated.  Thanks, Susan

Answer
Hi Susan,

Upping the resolution in Photoshop is not doing anything except increasing the memory needed to save your picture. If you must increase the resolution use bicubic interpolation and do it in small increments.

I have an article about sharpening on my blog here; http://glenbest.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/sharpening-images/

Unsharp mask is the tool you need and this article explains how to use it.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Adobe Certified Expert, Photoshop 7
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

For more Photoshop tips please visit our help pages here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/photoshop.htm