#that's because they have the best video quality

[lucy-mclean]

hi sole! your sharpening is always so soft and pretty, i was wondering if you would be open to share it? hope you are having a wonderful november so far <3

Hi, Anon! Thank you so much <3 Yeah, sure, tutorial under the cut:

What you'll need:

Photoshop (I use Photoshop 2023)

Basic knowledge on how to make gifs

Camera Raw filter installed

Okay so, first of all, I use two different methods depending on the size of the gif. Let's start with the one I use for most of my gifsets which are big gifs (examples: x x x x.)

METHOD #1: Smart Sharpen + Camera Raw

I started using the Camera Raw filter last year and let me tell you, I'm obsessed! It completely changes the game of sharpening. I use this method for all gifs with a 540px width.

We're going to work on timeline so get your gif ready and convert it for smart filters. I'm using this scene from my last set as a base:

Here's the gif after I color it (I usually sharpen my gifs before I color them but for the sake of the tutorial I'm showing you this so you guys can see the difference):

(1) Smart Sharpen Layer: Let's start by adding a Smart Sharpen layer (Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen) with these settings:

Disclaimer: I didn't come up with these settings myself I got them from these sharpening actions forever ago so I don't know which one it is :/. I also wasn't able to find that person's new blog (if they even have one since they've been inactive since 2021) so if anyone knows please let me know and I'll give them proper credit!

Now we're going to go to the 'Layers' panel and click on this little thingy:

This window will pop up and we are going to change the Opacity to 50%.

(2) Camera Raw Filter: Here's where the fun begins. Go to Filter and click on Camera Raw Filter (you'll need to have the plugin installed for it to show up.) I don't know how the Camera Raw window will look like the first time you open it but good thing you only need to change a couple of things!

If it isn't opened yet click on 'Effects' and we're going to change the Texture and Clarity:

Depending on the scene/show/film I'm giffing, or if I want a stronger or softer sharpening, I'll use two different settings, but 99% of the time they are these:

First setting: Texture (+20) Clarity (+10)

Second setting: Texture (+40) Clarity (+20)

As you can see the difference isn't huge but the first setting gives a "softer" look. As I said I'll use one or the other depending on how I see the scene (it's almost always about the vibes yk.)

Feel free to experiment with these two and see what works best for you (although I wouldn't go higher than 40 on texture because the sharpening will look too fake imo.)

Also this filter is soooo good at making low quality videos look 1080p! Every time I've had to use 720p videos the Camera Raw filter has saved me 🫡

METHOD #2: Smart Sharpen

I use this method for smaller gifs. For example, 8 gifs of 268px x 180px sets (like these) or small-ish gifs in complex sets (like the second gifs in this set.)

This process is much simpler since it's the one I explained before but without adding the Camera Raw filter. That's it that's the method. Just a Smart Sharpen layer with the Opacity turned down to 50%.

As I said this method looks best on smaller gifs but to be honest it looks good on big gifs too? Depends on what you like most!

Anyway I hope this was easy to follow and if anyone has any questions please feel free to dm me or send an ask! ♡

[figureskatingpenguin]

Shoma Uno: Through the Years

Wishing a happy retirement to our two-time world champion, Shoma Uno! I remember the days when he was called the "Silver Prince" because he placed second in Pyeongchang, Worlds, GPF, and 4CC. Well, take a good look at him now: a titleholder for every major competition except the Olympics! Although I had hopes that he would hold out until Milan 2026, I'm glad he was able to step down when he wanted to. Congratulations on spending 21 years of skating, Shoma! You've made us (and Stephane) all proud.

[hotasfahrenheit]

Let's say whatever happened that night, you don't have to think too much. And this time, can I kiss you one more time? Yes.

Knock, Knock, Boys! [episode 4]

[lizablackthorn]

no one touch me

[oops-ibrokereality]

Intro to my Rook. Swim Aldwir!

[sheepie-self-ships]

Me when the f/o…

[serendipitous-mage]

......... who's gonna tell him ... .. ill do it @markiplier

[lock-my-feelings-in-a-jar]

[watercolor-hearts]

.

[secondbeatsongs]

shuffle me timbers. 74, 62, 35

unfortunately, I do not know what these numbers correspond to, but I will give you a shuffled song!

the song that came up for you is "Okay" by Backhouse Mike - he's a guy that did in-house tracks for Nickelodeon shows, and the version I have on my iPod is actually from the Zoey 101 soundtrack CD!

but here's the deal. this song, everywhere you can find it officially? the quality sucks. it's awful. we're talking like...8tracks-rip bad.

and that's bad.

it's probably 128k or worse, and it's noisy, and compressed, and ughh. and it's like that on all streaming services! but you know where it's not like that?

tumblr.

besides the CD rip that I have, the highest quality version I can find of this song comes from this almost-11-year-old tumblr post.

is it perfect? no! but it's crisp 192k quality, and unlike my CD rip, it has the extra little fun bit at the end where he repeats one of the lines a bunch!

so like! fuck! what the fuck! why does this decade-old tumblr post have better audio quality than everything Backhouse Mike put up officially? who was in charge of putting his stuff online? and why would they not check the quality first?!

like not to exaggerate on main, but this might be my villain origin story.

anyway, it's a great song, and I listen to it to chill out sometimes

...and since it exists literally nowhere else in 320k, here's my CD rip of it:

(but do also go listen to the tumblr post I linked above, because the ending on that version is just *chef's kiss*)

[rotisseries]

what’re your thoughts on live action zelda movie? i assume they’re not positive !

so glad you asked! my plans for the premiere will be a suicide bombing at nintendo hq! hope this answered your question!

[laomelettedufromage]

Fuck it.

Lexi. If you even care.

[wasabikitcat]

I keep having dreams about an Earthbound 64 prototype getting leaked. Shit lives in my mind rent free.

[lady-harrowhark]

Glendale, 3.18.23

[tracle0]

New love language, signs of trust

[sogoodtoletgo]

Artist friends, please don't use StickerMule

Full tweet

I've been on the "Fuck Stickermule" train for a few years now after they posted COVID conspiracy bullshit, and it was found out their CEO was a Trump / Anti-LGBTQ+ donor.

Take your business elsewhere. Just because they have good deals occasionally shouldn't mean they should be able to use your money to support shitty recipients.

Some businesses I'd recommend checking out:

StickerGuy -Been using Sticker Guy for like 15 years for my bands stickers over the years. They have some of the best vinyl stickers I've ever used and those things are practically indestructible. Ridiculously good prices too.

RockinMonkey - I've only ever used them for one run of holographic stickers but the quality is so good and I'd definitely go to them again if I were to get more printed.

StickerNinja - Never personally used but I've seen so many people recommend them and their quality shows on their socials. And I'm fairly certain they're BIPOC owned, super pro-LGBTQ+ and are very vocally Pro-Palestine which is a plus in my book!

StickerApp - has been getting a lot of positive feedback in the reblogs! Vograce - I've read some good things about them in the reblogs, and I've also seen some people on Tiktok showing off acrylic keychains they've made with their services!

EDIT [7/18/2024]:

Found this cool document full of information on other sticker / merch printers with a ton of comparisons and examples compiled by Theresa Chiechi! They also have a series of Tiktok videos linked on that page showing the different businesses they've tried. Be sure to check it out if you want a comprehensive look into your best options.

Please feel free to leave any other suggestions!