Removing haze?

Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 134 Location: Crawfordville, FL

I recently shot some images of a cicada emerging from it's old skin. I didn't have enough time to wait for my camera lenses to become accustomed to the heat and humidity outside so I had to fight with fogging. I got a couple good shot with minimum haze but I was wondering if anyone knew a good photoshop technique for reducing haze. I've been playing around with curves but haven't been able to get rid of all of it. I posted an image I'm working with below. Thanks for the help!

Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 350 Location: Ontario, Canada

If you use CS3, the Clarify function in ACR 4.1 works well or in other versions of Photoshop, use USM with starting values of 10, 20, 0 increasing Amount and Radius as needed. This provides local contrast enhancement and does clear the fog somewhat.

Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 134 Location: Crawfordville, FL

I'm using photoshop 7 but I'm not sure what USM is. Only thing I can think of is unsharp mask but I don't see how that would help. Sorry for the confusion but thanks for the tips.

Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 350 Location: Ontario, Canada

MBrazier wrote:

I'm using photoshop 7 but I'm not sure what USM is. Only thing I can think of is unsharp mask but I don't see how that would help. Sorry for the confusion but thanks for the tips.

Yes, USM refers to unsharp mask and you will be surprised how well this trick does work given the starting values above.

Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 134 Location: Crawfordville, FL

What can I say, when you're right you're right. Thank you for that helpful little tidbit. Have you noticed any undesirable effects when you print an photo that's been altered like that?

Here's the updated image. Has the haze been reduced enough not to be distracting?

Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 350 Location: Ontario, Canada

Your image looks much better now. As for undesirable effects when printing, I've never noticed any and I use this "Polisher" techinque to some degree on most of my images.