An unsharp mask is a digital or optical filter that enhances the apparent sharpness of an image by increasing the contrast along its edges. It is commonly included with scanners and image-editing software such as Photoshop to improve the clarity and detail of photographs.
Photographers and digital artists use unsharp masking to make images appear crisper and more defined without altering the original content. Understanding how to apply this technique effectively helps achieve professional-quality results, balancing edge enhancement with natural-looking textures.