Clarity - my way

[SJ9000]

Hi all,

I noticed somewhere that PL includes a "Clarity" action. After finding that all it does is USM at 40/40, which I knew wasn't right, I wanted to find the correct way to do this. I found this text that explains the original author's steps.

https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1106319

I created this action based on those steps.

Clarity - Mac Holbert's Midtone Contrast.zip

Enjoy - Steve

[photoken]

I noticed somewhere that PL includes a "Clarity" action. After finding that all it does is USM at 40/40, which I knew wasn't right, I wanted to find the correct way to do this.

I think that there are probably as many definitions of "Clarity" as there are photographers.

If you define "Clarity" as being increased contrast in the midrange values, then you can achieve "Clarity" by using the Curves adjustment layer, masking that adjustment layer if necessary.

If you define "Clarity" as increasing the separation between details (as I do), then the Unsharp Mask technique is a perfectly valid one.

I prefer simply using a High Pass adjustment layer with its blend mode set to "Overlay". Use the smallest radius which just barely reveals the edges, and you don't even have to worry about first creating another image layer and converting that layer to black & white. This technique essentially increases the contrast at the edges between the details. You can also go nuts with masking this High Pass adjustment layer to only affect the midrange values, as is done in the method you referenced, but I've never found that to be necessary (or particularly good-looking).

[SJ9000]

I'm not sure who edited my original post, but the current title of this thread did *not* include the words "my way" -- simply because it's *not* my way -- it's Mac Holbert's way. He's the one who originally devised the Clarity method and Adobe thought it was good enough to include in Photoshop. So whoever edited the original title of this thread please make it read "Clarity - Mac Holbert's way"