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When
I first started with digital photography I learned one standard way
of using USM. Later on a friend of mine, Carsten Arnholm, showed me
a different, and for som images, better way of using it. Then again,
when you have been working a lot with Photoshop, you find your own way
of using the tool.
I find the best way of describing methods, is using excample photos, instead of complicated descriptions, as they tend to mislead or gets misunderstood. I started out with this original photo of a tulip, shown here just croped and resized. |
| Then
I added a USM with these values:
Amount:50 Here's the result, nothing else done to this photo: As you see, the details stands a lot more out. The problem with this method is, it can burn out both the very dark and very light areas, as you can see in the center of the dandelion. To prevent this, instead of just adding the effect, make a new layer(Layer via copy) and add the effect there. Then, use your "Eraser tool" on those areas coming out too bright and/or too dark. |
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Finishing
off this photo, I selected the area around the dandelion and used a
softening action on it, then desaturated it a bit, to tone down the
green. Finally, I yet again added a USM, but this time with different
values:
Amount:50 Here's the final result: As for almost anything in Photoshop, non of these values are absolutes. You have to see as you go how it affects the individual photo. Good luck! |