What Is Output Sharpening In Lightroom?

Introduction

As a photographer, you must have spent a lot of time editing and retouching your images in Adobe Lightroom. While you may have mastered the art of color correction, exposure adjustments, and noise reduction, have you ever wondered why your final images still lack the sharpness and clarity that you see in professional photographs? The answer lies in output sharpening, a technique that can transform your images from good to great.

What is Output Sharpening?

Output sharpening is the process of enhancing the details and textures in an image to make it appear sharper and clearer when printed or displayed on a screen. It is the final step in the image editing workflow and is done just before exporting or printing the image. Output sharpening compensates for the loss of sharpness that occurs during resizing, compression, and other image processing operations.

Why Do You Need Output Sharpening?

Output sharpening is essential because images that look sharp and clear on your computer screen may appear soft and blurry when printed or displayed on a different device. This is because each device has its own resolution, pixel density, and color reproduction capabilities. Output sharpening ensures that the image looks its best on the intended output medium, whether it is a high-quality print or a digital display.

Types of Output Sharpening

There are three types of output sharpening in Lightroom:

1. Screen Sharpening

Screen sharpening is used to enhance the details and textures in an image that is intended for display on a screen, such as a computer monitor, tablet, or smartphone. Screen sharpening compensates for the loss of detail that occurs during downsizing and compression. It is done using the Details panel in the Develop module and is applied when exporting the image.

2. Matte Paper Sharpening

Matte paper sharpening is used to enhance the details and textures in an image that is intended for printing on matte paper. Matte paper has a rough surface that absorbs ink, which can cause the image to appear soft and blurry. Matte paper sharpening compensates for this effect and makes the image appear sharper and clearer. It is done using the Print module in Lightroom.

3. Glossy Paper Sharpening

Glossy paper sharpening is used to enhance the details and textures in an image that is intended for printing on glossy paper. Glossy paper has a smooth surface that reflects light, which can cause the image to appear over-sharpened and harsh. Glossy paper sharpening compensates for this effect and makes the image appear sharper and more natural. It is done using the Print module in Lightroom.

How to Apply Output Sharpening in Lightroom

To apply output sharpening in Lightroom, follow these steps: 1. Open the image in Lightroom and make all the necessary adjustments using the Develop module. 2. Go to the Details panel and adjust the sharpening sliders to enhance the details and textures in the image. 3. Choose the output sharpening type based on the intended output medium (screen, matte paper, or glossy paper). 4. Export the image or print it using the Print module.

Conclusion

Output sharpening is an essential technique that can make a huge difference in the final quality of your images. By using the right type of output sharpening, you can ensure that your images look their best on any output medium. So, next time you edit your photos in Lightroom, don’t forget to apply output sharpening to bring out the details and textures in your images.