Applying filters to high-res images has poor effect

[Vcize]

When applying filters such as accented edges, ink outline, etc to a medium sized image (1024x768 or 1280x853) produce some pretty cool results.



However, when applying those same filters to larger images like files with a 5184x3456 resolution, the filters have little to no effect. I'm guessing this is because there are so many more pixels that altering each pixel has a less noticeable effect.


You can see an example here with the accented edges filter run over a smaller version of a picture I took, and then a larger one (that was then downsized to make it viewable):

http://www.vcize.com/images/accented-edges-1280x853.jpg

http://www.vcize.com/images/accented-edges-5184x3486.jpg


The 1280x853 one looks pretty cool. On the larger 5184x3456 version the filter had almost no noticeable effect.


The problem is that I want the cool looking version like is seen in the 1280x853 version, but at a high enough resolution to print on a large canvas that is, say, 40' x 40' or so. Is it possible to get the bigger image to look like the smaller one without losing the resolution required to print it on a canvas that large? I've been trying to figure this out for weeks now...​

 

[dv8_fx]

You can try increasing the resolution on the smaller image (after applying effect) while maintaing the size.

 

[dv8_fx]

Or increase the values of the ACCENTED EDGE WIDTH and BRIGHTNESS on the larger image to approximate the look of the smaller one.

 

[ibclare]

Yes, you will have no problem with this if you use the edge width and intensity and dv8_fx suggested. How could you struggle with that for weeks? Maybe you didn't notice the sliders?

 

[Vcize]

Yes, you will have no problem with this if you use the edge width and intensity and dv8_fx suggested. How could you struggle with that for weeks? Maybe you didn't notice the sliders?

Two things..

1) Accented Edges was merely the filter I chose here for demonstration purposes, I'm looking to use many of them. Most of the filters don't have an edge width slider like Accented Edges does.

2) Even for accented edges, the edge width max threshold is so low that even at its max setting it doesn't get to what small pictures look like with the default edge width.

 

[jaysuess]

You could try: duplicate your finished image to a new layer. Convert the new layer to a Smart Object. Apply Filter>Other...>High Pass. Set radius of 10 pixels. Click OK. Set the Smart Layer to Soft Light. Now you can double-click the High Pass filter in the Smart Object and play around with radius sizes until you get the look you want. This should help compensate a bit for the difference in resolution. For a more dramatic effect, set the Smart Layer to Overlay.

 

[ibclare]

Two things..

1) Accented Edges was merely the filter I chose here for demonstration purposes, I'm looking to use many of them. Most of the filters don't have an edge width slider like Accented Edges does.

2) Even for accented edges, the edge width max threshold is so low that even at its max setting it doesn't get to what small pictures look like with the default edge width.

1) Actually, most of the filters have sliders or manual adjustments you can make; not every filter works on an edge.

2) I think you hit on it. Max Threshold. There just is a maximum size for the effect. To be honest, I have never made anything for printing that large, so I didn't realize this. I did not mean to insult your knowledge or experience, so my apologies. :redface:

Perhaps someone will read this thread who knows or can come up with a workaround for you. Maybe there is a plugin that can do what you want; there certainly are a variety of them.

PS: I posted my reply before seeing jay's. Here's a guy with a few years more than I have of Photoshop experience.
I'd like to see your results.

 

[Vcize]

You could try: duplicate your finished image to a new layer. Convert the new layer to a Smart Object. Apply Filter>Other...>High Pass. Set radius of 10 pixels. Click OK. Set the Smart Layer to Soft Light. Now you can double-click the High Pass filter in the Smart Object and play around with radius sizes until you get the look you want. This should help compensate a bit for the difference in resolution. For a more dramatic effect, set the Smart Layer to Overlay.

Thanks, I gave this a shot and managed to get a little closer but there's still quite a difference.

Here's the results I came up with after fiddling with it for a bit.
http://www.vcize.com/images/accented-edges-soft-light.jpg
http://www.vcize.com/images/accented-edges-overlay.jpg

You can compare those to the pics in the original post.

Is there any merit to the idea of downsizing the image, applying the filter, and then upping the resolution rather than the image size? I can't really see how that would work.

1) Actually, most of the filters have sliders or manual adjustments you can make; not every filter works on an edge.

Yeah, most of the others I've played around with though didn't have anywhere near the desired effect. At least the accented edge slider is headed in the right direction even if the max threshold cuts it short. For Ink Outlines for instance the choices are intensity and stroke length, neither of which make it look anything like it looks when applied on a smaller photo.

I did not mean to insult your knowledge or experience, so my apologies. :redface:

My knowledge and experience is very limited (I am in the newbie section afterall ) so no worries there and I didn't take it as an insult at all.

 

[Vcize]

So here's a thought. If the resolution of the image is 240 before I change the pixel dimensions down to 1280x853 and remains 240 after I change the pixel dimensions down to 1280x853 can I still print it as a 40x40 image or will it be blurry that way?