SHARPEN versus STRUCTURE

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHAPEN AND STRUCTURE

There are two types of Sharpness functions which can make your photo clearer on Instagram: SHARPEN and STRUCTURE. If you do not know edge, please read “Introduction to Sharpness” first.

Let us check their performance with this test pattern to understand them. It will make your photos better by using these functions!

※ Please enlarge the photos and compare them because the display size on smartphone is small so it maybe a bit difficult to see it clearly.

1. ORIGINAL PATTERN

2. SHARPEN Result

I set it at 100 which is the maximum value to see the effect clearly

3. STRUCTURE Result

I set it at 100 which is the maximum value to see the effect clearly

Can you see the difference ? Both of the results are clearer than the original photo.

Let us check the difference. I arranged the patterns in a row to compare their performance.

The first one from the top is Original, the 2nd one is Sharpen result, and the 3rd one is the STRUCTURE result

Can you see it? Please see the photo below!

Let us see the edge closer. These are the result that can be seen.

WHAT CAN SHARPEN & STRUCTURE functions DO ?

They can increase the gap of brightness level at the edges.

As I explained in “Introduction to Sharpness“, the edge can be clearly seen when the difference in brightness level between two colors is large.

We can see the edge clearly.

The gap between black and white is very high
The edge can not be clearly seen compared to the edge above.

Both functions try to enlarge the brightness level around the edge. But the effect is different.

SHARPEN : It adds light gray and dark gray lines at the edge

STRUCTURE : It mostly lowers the brightness of the darker side around edge.

Let us summarize these two functions

SHARPEN

It adds light gray and dark gray lines only at the edge.

STRUCTURE

It lowers the brightness level of the darker side near the edge. It has a big effect around the edge.
This is the explanation about the range of each function’s effect

Here is a real photo. Let us check the difference.

SHARPEN adds light gray and dark lines at the edge. You can see the light gray line effect around hair strands especially the shine on her hair strands. Dark gray line is hard to see it, but it compliments light gray line. While STRUCTURE lowers the brightness level near the edge. It looks like there are contrast around the edge.

From left to right, the original photo, next SHARPEN result, and STRUCTURE result

In reality, you need to use both functions to improve your photo. You can see powerful the big effects using both SHARPEN & STRUCTURE functions.

Sharpen+Structure effect has the biggest effect on your photos

Let us check the difference on real photos.

CONTINUED – EXAMPLES –

I will give you the effective ways to improve your photo using SHARPEN and STRUCTURE in my blog. I created a tag of #Sharpness. Click #Sharpness so you can see the examples in my blog.