Mastering Photoshop- The Ultimate Guide to Sharpening and Fixing Blurry Pictures

How to Fix Blurry Pictures in Photoshop

Have you ever encountered a situation where you took a picture that turned out to be blurry? Whether it’s due to a camera shake, low light conditions, or a slow shutter speed, blurry photos can be frustrating. However, with the help of Adobe Photoshop, you can easily fix blurry pictures and restore their clarity. In this article, we will guide you through the process of fixing blurry pictures in Photoshop.

Step 1: Open the Blurry Picture in Photoshop

The first step is to open the blurry picture in Photoshop. You can do this by clicking on “File” in the menu bar, then selecting “Open.” Navigate to the location of the blurry image and click “Open” to import it into Photoshop.

Step 2: Duplicate the Layer

Once the picture is open, it’s essential to duplicate the layer. This ensures that you don’t lose the original image in case the fix doesn’t work out. To duplicate the layer, right-click on the layer in the Layers panel and select “Duplicate Layer.” You can also press “Ctrl + J” (Cmd + J on a Mac) to duplicate the layer.

Step 3: Apply the Sharpen Tool

Now that you have a duplicate layer, it’s time to apply the sharpen tool. Go to the “Filter” menu in the menu bar, then select “Sharpen” and choose “Unsharp Mask.” This tool helps to enhance the edges of the image, making it appear sharper.

Step 4: Adjust the Settings

In the Unsharp Mask dialog box, you will find three main settings: Amount, Radius, and Threshold. Adjust these settings according to your needs:

– Amount: This setting determines the intensity of the sharpening effect. A higher amount will make the image appear more sharpened, but it may also introduce noise. Start with a value of 50-100% and adjust as needed.
– Radius: This setting controls the size of the area around each pixel that is affected by the sharpening. A higher radius will affect a larger area, while a lower radius will affect a smaller area. Start with a value of 1-2 pixels and adjust as needed.
– Threshold: This setting determines the minimum difference in brightness between pixels for them to be affected by the sharpening. A higher threshold will reduce noise, but it may also reduce the sharpness effect. Start with a value of 0-5 and adjust as needed.

Step 5: Apply the High Pass Filter

After adjusting the Unsharp Mask settings, apply the High Pass filter to further enhance the edges of the image. Go to the “Filter” menu, select “Other,” and choose “High Pass.” Set the radius to a value between 1-2 pixels, then click “OK.”

Step 6: Create a New Layer and Blending Mode

Create a new layer by clicking on the “Create New Layer” button at the bottom of the Layers panel. Right-click on the new layer and select “Merge Down” to merge the High Pass filter with the sharpened layer. Change the blending mode of the merged layer to “Overlay” or “Hard Light” to enhance the edges and add contrast.

Step 7: Save the Fixed Image

Once you are satisfied with the results, save the fixed image by clicking on “File” in the menu bar, then selecting “Save As.” Choose the desired file format and click “Save” to save the image on your computer.

In conclusion, fixing blurry pictures in Photoshop is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps. By following the above instructions, you can easily restore clarity to your blurry photos and make them look professional.