Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "digikdm" 
<monroekd@h...> wrote:
Kevin,
I use a photoshop plug in software package called photokit 
(http://www.pixelgenius.com/sharpener/) review at 
(http://www.computer-darkroom.com/sharpener/sharpener_page_1.htm)
This has its own specific workflow which is in three stages: capture, 
creative and output. It is recommended not to use the sharpening 
software bundled in with your scanner but to use instead the capture 
software of photokit. After this stage the creative sharpening tools 
can be 
applied, and then, finally the output sharpening stage. This last 
stage makes allowances 
for the type of output device and the resolution that one intends to 
use. For example, copying from the 
website:
"..... To accomplish this, you need to know the output size and 
resolution, and the way in which the output device converts the 
pixels into marks on paper. For example, if you're printing to an 
inkjet printer at 300 ppi, you want to create a sharpening halo 
that's about 3 pixels wide. If you're printing to a halftone printer 
such as a press, using a 266-ppi file and a 133-line screen, you need 
a halo that's at least 4 pixels wide, because each halftone dot is 
made up of four pixels, and you may well be rewarded if you make the 
halo 5 or 6 pixels wide. Output sharpening doesn't require any 
complex masking -- all the image-specific local concerns have already 
been addressed in the capture and creative sharpens -- so the output 
sharpening can be applied globally."

I find that this workflow works for me and not only matches but 
surpasses 
anything I ever achieved in the darkroom! 
Keith

> I have read numerous unsharp mask workflows from a variety of 
sources.
> Some say to perform the unsharp mask only once as the last touch 
> prior to printing. Some say use it twice.. once after scanning, and 
> once before printing. Some say three times with the third 
application 
> coming between the scanning and printing. Some say apply the 
unsharp 
> mask and then apply the FADE UNSHARP MASK. I have experiented with 
> multiple  methods, sometimes with the effect of 
> photographic "progeria"( medical term for premature aging). It 
seems 
> that there as many workflows as there are experts.Currently, I 
> perform unsharp mask as a last procedure. I set the amount around 
> 200, threshold around 1, and then play with the radius( .3 to 1) 
till 
> I see achieve some crispness without too much artifact. I was just 
> wondering if there is anyone out there who is pleased with whatever 
> method they are using and if they wouldn't mind sharing it.Also, do 
> any of the "remove grain" software fixes out there help reduce the 
> grain-effect of the unsharp mask filter? 
> thanks,
> Kevin  Monroe