Some notes about editing a Jpeg file, using Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) and Photoshop CS4 (PS).

Step One - Set up PS so that Jpeg files will open in ACR.

To do this, select Edit/Preferences/File Handling and then click on 'Camera Raw Preferences'.

At the bottom of the dialogue box which appears, for 'JPEG and TIFF Handling' - Select JPEG: Automatically open all supported JPEGs.

Example below.

Step Two - Open your Jpeg file in CS4. It will first open in ACR.

Example below.

Step Three - Perform any exposure adjustments, etc., which you desire. It is good to experiment with the different settings, and edit to your own tastes.

In the example below, I am simply adjusting noise levels, using the 'Detail' screen. Third button from left.

Note : It is very important to do this at 100% view, otherwise the effects will not be apparent on the screen.

In this case, I was happy with the 'out-of-camera' exposure, and colour, and decided to make no other adjustments, other than simply reducing noise.

Once you have made any adjustments. Click the 'Open Image' button at bottom right of the screen.

Experiment with the different settings under each of the 'drop-down' buttons. Adjust to taste but remember, subtle is usually better.

Example below.

Step Four - Once open in PS, upsize the image to at least 12 x 16" and at 300 ppi.

Upsizing the image allows a clear view of any edit step effects, and at a reasonable output size. It can always be down-sized later.

I prefer to use 'Bicubic Smoother' for up-sizing.

Note : Once I have resized, I then display the image at it's Print Size, or at a larger size. This is important so that the effect of any subsequent edit steps can be clearly seen.

Example below.

Step Five - Select Filter/Sharpen/Unsharp Mask and set a value of 35,35,0.

What this will do, is to add some sharpening and also 'lift' the contrast of the image.

Example below.

Step Six - Select Edit/Fade Unsharp Mask.

Note : This step needs to be done before any other step is taken. The 'Fade ... ' dialogue only appears immediately following the last edit step taken. It can be used to fade the amount of any edit step applied.

Example below.

Step Seven - I have chosen to fade the USM effect to 65%. The value used is purely to taste. Best to experiment.

Example below.

Step Eight - For this image, I am done.

It is important now to 'Save As' so that the original file is still preserved.

Select File/Save As.

Example below.

Step Nine - Name the image. The naming convention I use is, the original file name, followed by an 'a' (meaning first edit iteration, second iteration would be 'b', etc.), followed by the file size (1216), followed by the date (1209).

Example below.

Step Ten - Once you click on the 'Save' button, a window will open with 'Jpeg Options'.

Select Quality : 12 (Maximum).

Example below.

That's it. Have fun.

Make sure to experiment with the different settings in ACR to suit your own taste.

Cheers.

My finished image.

I have resized it to 1200 ppi wide, and saved it as DSC01002a_1216_1209_Lo, and used Jpeg : Option 9 (High).

This is typical of what I do for web display images. Normally, I would show at 800, or 900, ppi though, not at 1200 ppi.