Sharpen and Shape

Over the next few posts I'll show how I went from A to Z in this image

I'm using CS3, so if you are using an earlier version of PS this won't work but there are work arounds. Like get upgraded!

Lets start with the sharpening.

Right click Background layer > Convert to Smart Object

With Smart Object selected
Image > Adjustments > Shadow

Highlight
Make all the boxes the same, the higher the # the greater the effect. Be warned, too high and you will start to get a halo effect

With Smart Object still selected

Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen
Here I used 200% at 1.7 Radius

This will create a flat, sharp image, which we will need to ad contrast and color effects to next.