Can you fix a blurry photo?

You can improve a slightly soft photo with Sharpen, Clarity or Unsharp Mask. A photo with heavy blur doesn't contain the detail needed to bring it back.

What is the difference between Sharpen and Clarity?

Sharpen enhances fine edges. Clarity adds contrast to mid-sized detail, which makes the photo look punchier.

What is Unsharp Mask?

It is a classic sharpening filter that boosts contrast along edges. Amount sets the strength, Radius sets the width of the edge effect and Threshold decides which edges to ignore.

Photo Editor Intermediate 3 min read Updated Oct 23, 2026 Pluto Photos 2.5.2

How to Sharpen a Soft or Slightly Blurry Photo

Short answer

In the Light tab raise Sharpen (0 to 10) and a little Clarity. For more control choose Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask and set Amount, Radius and Threshold. Sharpening helps slight softness, not heavy blur.

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#1. Zoom in to judge the softness

Judge sharpness at 100% zoom (the 1:1 button at the top). This street photo is a little soft, and the edges on the rooftops are smeared.

A close-up of rooftops that look slightly soft with smeared edges — Before, at 100%.

#2. Raise Sharpen and Clarity in the Light tab

Open the Light tab. Under Detail, drag Sharpen (0 to 10) up to around 8 and add some Clarity (40 here). Clarity adds local contrast so edges stand out. Move both slowly and watch for halos around edges.

The Detail section of the Light tab showing Clarity at 40 and Sharpen at 8 — The Detail sliders in the Light tab.

#3. Check the result

The edges are crisper and the roofs have texture again. Compare with the original using the eye button.

The same rooftops after sharpening, with crisp edges and more texture — After, at 100%.

#4. For more control, use Unsharp Mask

Open Filter > Sharpen. The submenu has Sharpen, Sharpen More, Unsharp Mask…, Smart Sharpen… and High Pass…. Unsharp Mask has Amount (120% by default), Radius (1.5 px) and Threshold (3), plus Opacity and Blend mode. Use a small radius for fine detail and a bigger one for large, soft photos.

The Unsharp Mask dialog with Amount 120, Radius 1.5, Threshold 3, Opacity and Blend mode — The Unsharp Mask dialog.

#Tips

Sharpen last, after cropping, resizing and color work.
To sharpen only part of the photo, such as the eyes in a portrait, make a selection first.
Sharpening can't rebuild detail that was never captured, so heavy motion blur or badly missed focus won't be fixed.

#Questions

Can you fix a blurry photo?: You can improve a slightly soft photo with Sharpen, Clarity or Unsharp Mask. A photo with heavy blur doesn't contain the detail needed to bring it back.
What is the difference between Sharpen and Clarity?: Sharpen enhances fine edges. Clarity adds contrast to mid-sized detail, which makes the photo look punchier.
What is Unsharp Mask?: It is a classic sharpening filter that boosts contrast along edges. Amount sets the strength, Radius sets the width of the edge effect and Threshold decides which edges to ignore.

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