PhotoKit Sharpener
PhotoKit Sharpener is a workflow product that looks after sharpening from image capture to output. Advanced sharpening kits like this one (or FocalBlade from PhotoWiz) work best when they are allowed to handle all the sharpening throughout the workflow. The developers have grouped its capabilities into three phases: "capture," "creative," and "output" sharpening. Processes are completely non-destructive and they work on currently visible layers as the source for the effect.
- Capture sharpening concentrates on midtones, applying only a little sharpening to highlights and shadows. Various sets of effects may be applied at this early stage, each set having SuperFine, Narrow, Medium and Wide Edge Sharpen effects: suitable for a wide range of subjects.
- Creative sharpening tools allow you to sharpen parts of the image selectively. The user can vary the opacity and flow of the layer masks brush. Fog, diffusion and smoothing brushes let you tone down the effect. Among the "heavy duty" sharpening effects are edge, luminance, and high pass sharpen, plus super sharpener and super grain at five ISO levels.
- PhotoKit's output sharpener caters for contone, halftone, inkjet, web & multimedia output.
Comment
Described by Michael Reichmann (The Luminous Landscape) as "unquestionably the finest image sharpening product ever produced," PhotoKit Sharpener is highly regarded by professional photographers.
The product is well supported with detailed information about sharpening in general as well as how to use this particular tool; users should see the website for sample workflows. Images treated with PhotoKit Sharpener do not look overdone, even when you add one of the "Super Grain" effects. It is good value and gives pleasing results.
Tech info
- Plugs into: Photoshop 6 onwards (does not run on Elements; needs CS, CS2, CS3 for 16 bit/channel RGB images)
- OS: Windows XP onwards; Mac OS X
- Price level: Approx. $100
PixelGenius
Founded in 2001, Pixel Genius is a collaboration of industry leading experts dedicated to creating leading edge products and services for the photographic and digital imaging industries.
From the same vendor:
- PhotoKit
- PhotoKit Color
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