Applying USM

The image is practically complete, but let s see if you can get a little more punch out of it. Because you are going to flatten the image, you should make a copy of it first:

1. To duplicate the image, choose Image ’ Duplicate. Name the image big_city_night_flat.psd . Check the Duplicate Merged Layers Only box to flatten the image.

2. Duplicate the Background by dragging it to the New Layer icon.

3. In the Layers palette blend mode menu choose Luminosity.

4. Choose Filter ’ Sharpen ’ Unsharp Mask. Set the amount to 81%, the radius to 4.2 pixels, and the threshold to 28 levels (see Figure H5.14).

   
   Figure H5.14: Applying the Unsharp Mask filter to the image is the final step in enhancing the contrast.

5. Click OK.

6. Press /Ctrl-S to save the document.