Ready for a pro trick that feels like cheating? Use the High Pass filter. Duplicate your layer (Ctrl+J), go to Filter > Other > High Pass. Set the radius to about 2-5 pixels—just enough to see grey outlines. Then, change the layer blend mode to Overlay. Boom! Instant sharpness, no weird artifacts. You’ll feel like a Photoshop sorcerer.
And here’s the fun part: you can dial it back. If it’s too crispy, just lower the layer opacity. You are in total control. Honestly, I’ve saved entire vacation albums with this one trick.
Don’t Forget the Camera Raw Filter
This is my personal favorite for a quick fix. Go to Filter > Camera Raw Filter. Under the Detail tab, you’ll find Sharpening and Noise Reduction. Move the Sharpening slider while holding down the Alt key (Option on Mac). You’ll see exactly where the magic happens. It’s like a surgery suite for blurry pixels.
Use the Masking slider (also in Camera Raw) to limit sharpening to only the edges—your photo stays sharp where it counts, but backgrounds remain smooth. This is chef’s kiss for portraits.
How To Make A Blurry Photo Clear In Photoshop | Detroit Chinatown
