Sharpening images can significantly enhance their clarity and detail, especially for portraits where it’s essential to highlight features. The High Pass filter is one of the most effective and fastest methods in Adobe Photoshop for achieving this. In this tutorial, we will guide you step-by-step on how to use the High Pass filter to sharpen images, ensuring a polished and professional finish.
Let’s start our tutorial!
How to Sharpen Images in Adobe Photoshop Using a High Pass Filter
Step 1: Preparation
To begin, open your image in Photoshop, and let’s make a copy of it to ensure that our original image remains untouched.
- To make a copy of the image press Command + J on Mac or Control + J on PC. This action duplicates your current image layer. (If you have a layered image, select all the layers and press Command, Option + E on Mac or Control, Alt + E to make a copy of your image and place it on top of all the layers)
- You can click on the eye icon of the original image to hide it. We do not need this layer, this is for backup.
- Double-click on the name of the duplicated layer and rename it to Sharpen for easy reference.
Step 2: Convert the Layer to a Smart Object
By converting the layer to a Smart Object, you allow for non-destructive editing, meaning you can adjust the effects applied without permanently altering the original image.
- Right-click on the Sharpen layer in the Layers panel.
- Select Convert to Smart Object from the context menu.
Step 3: Apply the High Pass Filter
Now, we will apply the High Pass filter to sharpen our image.
- With the Sharpen layer selected, navigate to the top menu and click on Filter > Other > High Pass
- A new window will pop up with the High Pass settings. You’ll see a slider that adjusts the radius. Adjust the slider to sharpen the image. For this tutorial, we will use 4 Pixels, but feel free to experiment to find what looks best for your specific image.
This will make the image all gray, but do not worry, follow the next step.
Step 4: Change the Blending Mode
To make the sharpening effect visible, you need to change the blending mode of the Sharpen layer.
- In the Layers panel, find the drop-down menu where it says Normal (by default) next to the Opacity.
- Click on it and change it to Overlay. This blending mode enhances the contrast and brings out the sharpness of the image.
Step 5: Review and Adjust
To see the difference the sharpening has made, you can toggle the visibility of the Sharpen layer.
- Click the eye icon next to the layer to turn it on and off.
- If you find the sharpening effect too strong, you can adjust the opacity. Select the Sharpen layer and reduce the Opacity using the slider at the top of the Layers panel until you achieve the desired effect.
Step 6: Fine-Tuning with Masks
If you want to selectively apply the sharpening effect, you can use layer masks to control where the effect is visible.
- Select the Brush Tool by pressing B on your keyboard.
- In the toolbar, set the foreground color to black (this will allow you to hide the sharpening effect).
- Adjust the brush hardness to 0% and opacity in the options bar at the top to 30% for a softer effect. You can experiment to see what best works for your image.
- Now let’s create our mask. Select the Sharpen layer, go to the mask icon at the bottom of the layers panel, and click to create a mask. This will place the mask layer next to our Sharpen layer.
- Click on the mask layer to select it and brush over areas gently where you want to reduce sharpening. You can switch to white (by pressing X to toggle between foreground/background colors) to bring back sharpening to any areas where you’ve brushed out the effect.
That is it, this is how you sharpen images in Adobe Photoshop using the High Pass filter!
Take a closer look at the close-up screenshot of the Before and After image below and pay close attention to the eyes, nose, and lips. As you can see the After image has sharper and more clear facial features.
If you think sharpening is too much, you can always adjust by following the steps in Step 6.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully sharpened your image using the High Pass filter in Adobe Photoshop. This method not only enhances details in your photographs but also offers the flexibility to make adjustments and fine-tune the effect according to your needs.
Remember to save your work by going to File > Save As and choosing your desired file format. Feel free to experiment with different images and settings to master this powerful technique!
