Photoshop Elements / Retouching /

Eye Makeover /

Sharpening is used to cure the jaggies.

Digital photographs are made from square pixels.

The pixels jut out, rather than being smooth like they dye clouds of film.

We perceive this rough edge as being unsharp.

Sharpening increases the contrast between edges, such as the edge of an eyelash and the eyelid.

This increase in contrast tricks our visual system into thinking the eyelash is sharper.

Here, we'll use sharpening to make the eyes stand out more.

1) Make sure the Background copy layer layer is active (highlighted).

Sharpen the Background copy layer.

If you're using Photoshop Elements 4.0, go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask.

If you're using Photoshop Elements 5.0 or 6.0, go to Enhance > Unsharp Mask.

Try the above values.

You can preview the effect by selecting and deselecting Preview.

2) Press Ctrl and click the Create a new layer icon at the top of the Layers palette.

A new layer, Layer 1, will appear below the Background copy.

3) Group the Background copy layer with Layer 1.

If you haven't already done so, go to Grouping.

When grouped, the x adjustment layer will only affect the y layer.

4) Select Layer 1.

5) Make sure your foreground color is set to black by pressing d.

6) Select the Brush tool.

If you haven't already done so, go to Brushes - Basics.

Select a brush with a feathered edge.

7) Click, hold, and drag the brush across the eye.

The sharpening will appear only where you brush.

The rest of the face will remain unsharpened.

The black area in the Layer 1 thumbnail is the mask you painted.

For more about complex grouping, go to Layer Groups & Clipping Masks.

Here's the previous version and the sharpened version.

Whitened with Increased Saturation on the Iris

Whitened, Increased Saturation, and Sharpening on the Eye

If you haven't already done so, go to Saving Files.