picture sharpening, (re-focusing)

[freakyalbino]

I took a still shot with a 35mm camera and it is not focused, is there any software which can sharpen it up for me? I know this isnt digital video but i figured you guys here would have come accross some technique which would apply to me

cheers!

[proxyx99]

Most digital image editors have a sharpening filter. Try ACDSee demo and see to what degree you will be able to improve it.

[presto]

Here's a great free program. It seems to improve almost any picture I throw at it. (I'm not a good photographer)
http://www.mediachance.com/dce/index.html

[lordsmurf]

I took a still shot with a 35mm camera and it is not focused, is there any software which can sharpen it up for me? I know this isnt digital video but i figured you guys here would have come accross some technique which would apply to me

cheers!

Realize it's not possible to refocus an image more than just a little bit. Although PHOTOSHOP sharpen filters work well, it's not meant to restore total loss of focus. It works up to a few pixel at most, but anything over 0.3 begins to become noticeable. All it does is augment pixels, which also increases noise.

[freakyalbino]

well the image im hoping to enhance is

http://members.optusnet.com.au/freakyalbino/tomb2.jpg

so if anyone can work miracles go for it

[lordsmurf]

You are 100% screwed on that one.

It's underexposed AND out of focus. Just be happy with what you have, maybe try to take another shot if you can.

Any corrections will just make it worse. You can either remove noise and lose sharpness even more ... or add sharpness and increase noise.

[presto]

Actually the free program I linked above improved the pic quite a bit. It's still a lousy pic but you can see a surpising amount of detail.

[lordsmurf]

Here's my quick work ... was a fun little challenge .. gives another option to you ... uses a number of Photoshop filters, not gonna explain

[proxyx99]

With this picture.... seems like a waste of time. Just get a new one. It's not a Mona Lisa.

Lordsmurf, you realize that what you did has not moved the case forward even by a notch (sharpening as the issue)?

[lordsmurf]

Lordsmurf, you realize that what you did has not moved the case forward even by a notch (sharpening as the issue)?

As a photogrpaher by trade.. my only response to that would be "bull". Look at the lips and eyes. I even ran it througha NIKON program before it hit PS, something that I have because of my D1

[proxyx99]

I know, nothing personal. I just think that it doesn't deserve this much effort. It's just a piece of... you know. As I said: it's not a Mona Lisa.

[freakyalbino]

thanks for the responses guys!