The rules say that the two allowable filters are Despeckle and Sharpen. Does that mean only the Sharpen filter or does that include Unsharp Mask as well?
I had the same question since someone mentioned unsharp mask in another thread. I'd interpreted it literally and have only been using the straight despeckle and sharpen commands. But if we can use the unsharp mask, that's a whole different level of control...
If the unsharp mask filter is listed under Filters> Sharpen, then I assumed you were able to use all listed under the sharpen menu. That would be Sharpen, Sharpen Edges, Sharpen More or Unsharp Mask, wouldn't it?
From Adobe Photoshop Help Contents:
Sharpen filters Focus blurry images by increasing the contrast of adjacent pixels. They include the Sharpen Edges and Unsharp Mask filters, which find and sharpen areas where significant color changes occur (such as at the edges). The Unsharp Mask filter is commonly used for high-end color correction.
But to quote from the site rules, "However, no filters (or non-Photoshop equivalent) maybe be applied to your image with the exception of sharpen and despeckle, the two of which are allowed. Absolutely no spot-editing is allowed."
The sharpen filter, singular. Adobe Help says sharpen filters, plural.
Unsharp mask is the defacto standard sharpening and is allowed as far as I know. At least I hear it talked about a lot around here and every photo I contribute is run through an unsharp mask as the final step ( at about .3 pixel and 150% on a 640 x 480)
When I edit my photos, unsharp mask is usually part of what I do. I don't think I have ever used any of the other sharpening filters before now. My last submission didn't need sharpening, even after being resized down, so I didn't think about it. My submission for next week's challenge does need sharpening after the resize. I reached for unsharp mask, but when I thought about the exact wording of the rules, it suddenly occurred to me that unsharp mask might not be legal. I submitted it for now having just used sharpen, but I would like to resubmit with unsharp mask if it is legal.
Originally posted by drewmedia: Yes -- unsharp mask is allowed. We'll clarify the rules... if you've got any ideas for suggested wording, feel free :)
Drew
While checking the rules, how about considering the use of the global blur filters as well...it seems logical to be able to modify the image in either direction so long as it is global and bi-directionally symmetrical (Blur or Gaussian Blur=OK; Motion Blur = NOT OK).
* This message has been edited by the author on 5/15/2002 3:30:28 PM.
I've used a KTP filter to sharpen. Since it is a glodal filter, and it's effects are quite similar to unsharp mask, I assumed it would be acceptable. Correct assumption?
Originally posted by chariot: How about.... "unsharp mask is allowed." ;)
We could say something like "Sharpening and noise reduction filters are allowed." or "Sharpening filters and despeckle are allowed."
Under the Sharpen menu in Elements, I have Sharpen, Sharpen More, Sharpen Edges, and Unsharp Mask, which I am now assuming are all allowed. Other people may have similar filters with different names. The Noise menu is trickier, since some of the noise reduction filters can blur photos more than a little, and blur is not allowed. Blur wouldn't be much use to me without using multiple layers, which isn't specifically banned, but seems to be against the spirit of the rules. Now that I think of it, are we allowed to use multiple layers?
