Photo Editing

[Xairbusdriver]

I thought you now had PS Elements. Anyway, many graphics apps have a 'sharpening' tool. I doubt it will make you happy with its results, however. Most of them simply increase the contrast of fairly obvious 'borders' between colors/brightness areas. Blurred borders look that way because there is not much of a distinct difference between areas. Therefore, the software 'brain' can't do much to increase the focus. Perhaps, one day, the software will be better able to recognize all the animals/bodies/vehicles/stuff and 'doctor' the edges based on what they should look like.

OTOH, you might try some effects like posterize and end up with a suitable rendering, even if not a realistic one. Granted, the original here was not blurred. I simply applied some Gaussian Blur a couple of times.

[Sooz]

Hi, Jim and thanks for the examples using Zeus!  I don't have PS Elements and really don't know anyone who does, which is why I was looking to hire someone if making the picture less fuzzy could be done.  I was hoping for as near-realistic as possible. Thanks so much for the additional info, examples, and thanks to Zeus for posing!

[Paddy]

There are some tools out there to attempt to fix motion blur, but there's no guarantee they'll produce a usable result. One free one is: https://sourceforge.net/projects/deconvdemo/reviews - no idea how easy it is to use.

If the blur is bad, forget it - nobody can "fix" it. You could upload the pic here and we can render an opinion on fixability.

Both Affinity AND Pixelmator have free trials - fully functioning 30 day trials. Download one or both and see if either can fix the pic. If not, I suspect that you're out of luck.

BTW - Affinity Photo is very easy to use if you've used Photoshop. I'm all for encouraging the Adobe competitors.

Now I'm in a quandary...my 2014 iMac died the other day. Won't start, no way, no how. I suspect either a dead power supply or a dead logic board. I've ordered a new one, as I was thinking of getting something newer soonish anyway, though figured it would be to replace this 2012 Retina MBP with "screen rot" not the iMac! (The anti-glare is delaminating, which they had an extended warranty on until a couple of years ago, BEFORE mine started to go, of course.)

So my quandary revolves around the fact that CS6 apps won't work in Catalina. I either have to get the subscription to Lightroom/PS (GRRRRRRR) or make a really quick transition to Capture One and hope for the best. The MBP, while still very capable, has never been my weapon of choice for photo editing, though it's running Mojave and since LR is already installed, it still works. But it's not a long-term solution either.

I will get the old one diagnosed next week and if it's the power supply, great - will get it fixed as it's probably only about $200. It would buy me some time to decide what to do/make the transition, and then I can sell it or pass it on. But if it's the logic board? Well...maybe not. I've done some looking online, and because mine is a BTO 4Ghz model, guess what? The logic board + labour to install it costs almost as much as just buying a fully-functioning 2014 27" iMac. Unless my repair place has a cheaper source of logic boards, that is.

[Sooz]

I'd appreciate input on whether or not this photo is fixable to be less blurry...thanks!!!!
Smiles,
Sooz

[Paddy]

This is focus blur, not motion blur. The dog's head is not in focus, but some of the background is - not because the dog moved, but because either the dog was too close to the camera for it to focus (some point and shoots won't focus closer than about 4-5') or the camera goofed and chose the background instead of the foreground.

You can no doubt make it a bit sharper, but it won't be print quality. The problem is that no matter what you do, the eyes won't be in tack-sharp or even reasonable focus - and with a photo such as this, that is very noticeable. We are drawn to eyes - which is why some cameras actually have software that finds, focuses on and follows the eyes of the subject. (two of my Sonys do that - the newer version of one of my Sonys, which I don't own, also does it for animals)

[Xairbusdriver]

Instead of trying to get the face IN focus, I'd use some light blur on the rest of the image. It's a delightful image of a cute friend! I doubt that dog is still too long, anyway! I might even try to replace the pillow corner to further emphasize the dog from the background.

[Sooz]

Thanks Paddy and Jim for following up and adding suggestions! Yeah, I did want the eyes sharp... this is my darling little boy--always happy! I'm pretty sure I took this with my old Sony that I received as a gift in 2009.
Smiles,
Sooz

[Highmac]

Also late to this thread... I don't do much editing of photos, but when I do my needs are met by Graphic Converter, which does so much more than convert!


It is shareware and has been going since 1992; you can download free for a trial. Price is 34.95 Euros / 39.95 USD. It can be bought through Apple. I prefer to buy apps direct if I can.


I've always appreciated that questions are answered quickly and I saw someone ask in the forum for a small change to meet his requirements and developer Thorsten Lemke had it in the app the next day.


THAT is what I call service 

[Sooz]

Hi, Neil,

Thanks for the link to, and info about, Graphic Converter! That *is* amazing service re questions, answers, and a request for a small change in the app!

Smiles,
Sooz

[Highmac]

In case anyone wants to know more, here is a link to the Graphic Converter forum


Actually, having checked back, it was not quite as quick as I recalled. The request went on the forum on 23 Sept 2018 and the resulting change was uploaded on 26 September 2018: Thread link

[Xairbusdriver]

request went on the forum on 23 Sept 2018 and the resulting change was uploaded on 26 September 2018

THREE DAZE?!!! So sad...

I use some niche (Mac only) [is that redundant?!] software (WX recording/data logging) by a fellow who has a real "day job". Guess he likes to put food on the table for his family? But I am amazed at people when some forum member complains that his favorite idea is not added to the app and anyone mentions that it's by far the best Mac app and the software is not the Dev's primary occupation. Nor has he ever asked for payment after the first version several years ago! Plus, the forum where the poster complains is paid for by the Dev, whether you buy the app or not!

[Xairbusdriver]

Edited to remove an offer that was supposed to be limited to subscribers to a particular newsletter.

[jchuzi]

Thanks for posting this, Jim. I have Luminar 1 but have never used it. So, I took advantage of this offer and downloaded and installed Luminar 3.

[Xairbusdriver]

Ive never used the app at all, but I thought of this thread when I read about “FREE”!  Seems like several other devs have done this when they make major improvements. Sounds like a good way to introduce your work to new customers!