Local contrast
Clarity comparison
Image Clarity Comparison
Adjust clarity and compare midtone local contrast, texture punch, and harshness against the original.
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Original vs current edit
Compare the original image with the current adjustment state.
Upload an image to compare clarity before and after with local contrast metrics.
Texture punch
Harshness risk
Midtone detail
Advanced metrics
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Luma histogram
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Original Current edit
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How to read this page
Clarity changes midtone local contrast
Clarity comparison focuses on midtone local contrast. Positive clarity can make structure, texture, and subject detail feel stronger. Negative clarity can soften harsh detail. Use the comparison to check whether the image became clearer or simply too harsh.
Scope
This page compares clarity-style local contrast, not edge sharpening, dehaze, or global contrast.
Clarity comparison guide
What Clarity Comparison Shows
Compare midtone structure
Check faces, products, buildings, fabric, and landscape detail when you increase photo clarity.
Watch harshness
Too much clarity can make skin, clouds, and shadows look brittle.
Clarity vs sharpness
Clarity affects broader local contrast; sharpness targets fine edges.
Clarity terms and local contrast checks
How to Read an Image Clarity Comparison
Image clarity comparison is about midtone local contrast. It can make surfaces, structure, and subject detail feel stronger, but it should not become a sharpness, dehaze, or global contrast page.
A useful clarity review compares local contrast in middle brightness values. Positive clarity can add texture punch; negative clarity can soften texture. The key risk is harshness, especially in skin, clouds, shadows, and textured backgrounds.
Local contrast
Local contrast is contrast measured against nearby tones rather than the whole image.
- Role in the image
- It explains why clarity can make surfaces feel stronger without changing global exposure.
- Concept or calculation
- Compare each pixel's luma with a blurred neighborhood to estimate local separation.
- Watch for
- High local contrast can make texture look gritty or harsh.
Midtone mask
A midtone mask weights clarity toward middle brightness values.
- Role in the image
- It keeps clarity focused away from the deepest shadows and brightest highlights.
- Concept or calculation
- Pixels near mid-luma receive stronger weighting than endpoint tones.
- Watch for
- If highlights or shadows change too much, the adjustment is drifting toward contrast or dehaze.
Texture punch
Texture punch is the perceived increase in surface structure.
- Role in the image
- It is the visible benefit users often want from clarity.
- Concept or calculation
- Texture punch can be estimated through midtone high-frequency or local contrast change.
- Watch for
- Useful texture on products can become unflattering texture on faces.
Harshness risk
Harshness risk warns when local contrast becomes too strong.
- Role in the image
- It helps prevent clarity from making the image look brittle.
- Concept or calculation
- A threshold on local contrast delta inside midtones can flag risk.
- Watch for
- Skin, clouds, mist, and shadow transitions are common harshness areas.
Soft clarity
Soft clarity is negative clarity that reduces local contrast.
- Role in the image
- It can calm texture without making the whole photo blurry.
- Concept or calculation
- A negative local contrast adjustment compresses neighborhood differences in midtones.
- Watch for
- Too much soft clarity can make detail feel waxy or flat.
Clarity vs sharpness
Use clarity for midtone texture and subject punch. Use sharpness for fine edge detail and halo review.
Clarity vs contrast
Contrast changes tonal separation broadly. Clarity changes local separation mainly in midtones.
FAQ
About this page
Is clarity the same as sharpness?
No. Sharpness enhances fine edges. Clarity changes broader midtone local contrast.
Why can clarity make skin look harsh?
It increases local contrast in texture, which can exaggerate pores, wrinkles, and uneven lighting.
Should clarity affect highlights and shadows?
It should mostly affect midtones; strong highlight or shadow effects should be avoided.