Sharpening for Smugmug printing?

[Doug]

Since I will only be uploading one photo that may be printed at several different sizes, what is the best method of applying sharpening? I've always been told to sharpen at the final output size. But since the pixel dimensions are not changing, only the print size, does it matter?

[Baldy]

Hi Doug, and welcome!

EZ Prints, smugmug's print partner, does the resampling of your image for different print sizes and they apply enough unsharp mask to compensate for the resampling.

In theory, the very best way to know exactly what you're getting is to make your image the exact pixel dimensions for a given print so they don't have to resample, but in practice they seem to do so good a job I've never run into the case where anyone could tell the difference.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,
Baldy
smugmug

[Halliday]

So basically, when uploading for printing through Smugmug, leave the usm alone?

[Andy]

So basically, when uploading for printing through Smugmug, leave the usm alone?

:nod

[Halliday]

Thanks. Thinking about sharpening and printing that seemed like the most solution and it's good to hear that others agree.

[flyingdutchie]

:nod

But the uploaded files are not only for printing.... i'd like them to look good on screen as well.
Should I still sharpen them to make them look good for web-viewing?

[Andy]

But the uploaded files are not only for printing.... i'd like them to look good on screen as well.
Should I still sharpen them to make them look good for web-viewing?


You can use sharpening to improve your original without degrading the smaller photos noticeably, as long as the amount of sharpening is not excessive. SmugMug must also use unsharp mask after resampling down to avoid "blurry" photos. We try to err on the side of too little sharpening rather than too much.