Sharp Images and Unsharp Masks
Today, almost all images, from smartphone photos to magazine ads, are algorithmically sharpened, redefining aesthetic standards and altering our perception of what constitutes a “good” image. Sharp is the visual default of everyday photographic culture. This article explores the genealogy of unsharp...
Salvato in:
| Pubblicato in: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/transbordeur, |
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| Autore principale: | |
| Natura: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Lingua: | Anglais |
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Transbordeur
2025
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| Soggetti: | |
| Accesso online: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Riassunto: | Today, almost all images, from smartphone photos to magazine ads, are algorithmically sharpened, redefining aesthetic standards and altering our perception of what constitutes a “good” image. Sharp is the visual default of everyday photographic culture. This article explores the genealogy of unsharp masking, a method for enhancing images popularized by Adobe Photoshop. Originally developed as an “analog” technique to prevent loss of information in reproducing high-contrast originals, unsharp masking has shifted from preserving details to increasing acutance—i.e., perceived sharpness. This transition reflects its transformation from a specialized tool in fields like X-ray medicine and astrophotography to a universal optimization process in the digital image pipeline. Normalized and largely automated, unsharp masking profoundly influences visual culture. |
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