So, you have an image that needs to be enlarged. Today, there are many ways to achieve the desired result. But, wondering how to enlarge a photo without losing quality, you need to understand that they still have to sacrifice. No artificially enlarged image will look perfectly stretched. Therefore, our main task is to minimize quality loss.
Using standard Adobe Photoshop tools
Perhaps no photo editor can be compared with this program in terms of popularity and impressive functionality. Therefore, the first thing we will look at is how to enlarge a photo without losing quality using Photoshop.
The final result largely depends on the quality of the original image, as well as on its format. The ideal option in this regard is the RAW format.
The main trick that many designers use is the gradual increase in the image. It is believed that increasing the picture by only 10% is possible without a visible loss of quality. Therefore, first of all, you need to select the menu item "Image" -> "Size". In the window that opens, uncheck the box next to “Interpolation” and change the resolution to 300 pixels / inch. We accept the changes (“OK”) and again open the resize window. Turn on interpolation (return the checkmark to the place), and then increase the picture by 10%. To do this, select the change in width and height as a percentage, and then enter the value 110 in both fields (100% is the original image size + 10%, by which we increase it). In order to better increase, you can choose bicubic interpolation in the drop-down list. By repeating these steps, you can gradually continue to increase the photo. However, keep in mind that you may need to retouch it later - smoothing and sharpening in different areas, additional painting of certain elements. The more the image has been changed, the more difficult it will be to correct it.
In principle, this method of how to enlarge a photo without losing quality is very simple, and the result in most cases is quite satisfactory. But what about those who are not versed in Photoshop and are not sure that they will be able to correct an enlarged and slightly distorted image?
Specialized Programs
As a rule, most of the truly effective programs that are useful for those who are looking for ways to enlarge photos without losing quality are paid. Moreover, licensed versions are not so little. Therefore, it makes sense to use them only for those who often face the need to change the size of pictures - professional photographers, designers, etc. And now we will talk about several of them.
1. Imagener. The developers have provided three modifications of Imagener: Enhanced, Professional and Unlimited ($ 29.95, $ 49.95 and $ 99.95, respectively). The program works with many popular image formats, including PCX, PSD and ETC. The intelligent application module analyzes the space near each pixel so that the increase is the highest quality. Using Imagener, images without a noticeable loss in quality can be increased 2-3 times. In the Professional version, these figures are even higher. And Imagener Unlimited allows you to achieve maximum quality of the enlarged image, as it first transforms raster objects into vector ones, stretches them to the desired size and again translates them into raster ones.
2. PhotoZoom Professional. Another program that can come in handy for those who are looking for how to increase the size of the picture without losing quality. The cost of this application is 129 euros. PhotoZoom differs from standard editors in that it uses the unique S-Spline technology of self-adjusting interpolation, which makes it possible to get rid of such defects as jagged edges and defocus when enlarged.
3. Qimage. This $ 45 program will appeal to those who need subsequent printing of enlarged images. As you know, the pictures and photographs to be printed are subject to even higher quality requirements. That is why Qimage developers have compiled new zoom algorithms that are much more intelligent and more efficient than traditional bicubic interpolation.
4. Resize IT. This is not a separate program, but a plug-in for Photoshop, which allows to improve the process of enlarging images. Each time, it offers the user a choice of several interpolation algorithms, from which you can choose the one that will give the best result in each case. Before Resize IT requires registration, 15 images can be processed tentatively. So if you increase the photo without losing quality, you need only once, feel free to install the application.
Online editors and freeware
Of course, not all services for enlarging photos are paid. Among them are those that are available for free download. That's just practice shows that the quality of the output images is practically no different from that which we get using standard Photoshop tools. Do not experiment with hacked versions of paid programs - most of these tempting offers can pose a threat to your computer in the form of viruses.