Best Ways to Increase Resolution of an Image: Tips & Tools

With years of experience in enhancing pics at FixThePhoto, I’ve become a real expert in this field and come up with the most effective ways to increase resolution of an image that I’d like to share with you.

At FixThePhoto, we do our best to provide clients with crisp and high-quality photos to satisfy all our customer’s requirements.

These techniques will come in handy for anyone looking to improve the quality of product images for online stores, refine portraits for a portfolio, or produce pixel-perfect large-scale prints, etc.

Image resolution is the level of detail contained in an image. It is typically described in PPI (pixel per inch) or DPI (dots per inch). Higher resolution means that the same image section contains more pixels, which results in crisper and more vivid pics.

Method №1 – Upscale with Editing Software

best way to increase resolution of image photoshop resample

This is the exact first method I use when the client requires vivid and clear images. Photo sharpening software like Adobe Photoshop provides bicubic interpolation, which increases the number of pixels mathematically, thus enlarging the picture without sacrificing its quality.

Such options like

STEP 1. Upload your pic in Photoshop.

STEP 2. Choose Image > Image Size.

STEP 3. Clear the checkbox "Resample" and correct the resolution (DPI) first.

STEP 4. Tick the "Resample" box again and select a method like "Preserve Details (enlargement)" to upscale the image.

This method is the most effective solution for those who need to increase resolution in Photoshop enlarging pics a bit. Preserving details to some extent, the tool can still cause pixelation and loss of clarity if you overdo it with upscaling.

Method №2 – Enhance Sharpness and Clarity

best way to increase resolution of image photoshop sharpen

In some cases, to enhance resolution you do not only need to add pixels but also enhance the existing pics for impeccable results. In this case, you should take advantage of such options as the "Sharpen" filter in Photoshop or plugins like Nik Collection's Sharpener Pro.

STEP 1. You need to create a duplicate layer to edit pics non-destructively.

STEP 2. Then use the sharpening filter (Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask in Photoshop).

STEP 3. Correct such parameters as Amount, Radius, and Threshold to make the images sharp and clear without introducing artifacts.

With the help of noise reduction software, you can enhance the contrast along edges to increase the level of detail and make pics clearer.

Method №3 – Use AI-Powered Tools

best way to increase resolution of image topaz labs gigapixel ai

Recently, image-enhancing tools have been upgraded with AI-powered technology. Programs like Topaz Labs' Gigapixel AI leverage machine learning algorithms to define the sections with potentially missing details when scaling up pics.

STEP 1. Add your pic to the AI-fueled upscaling tool.

STEP 2. Choose the needed output size (e.g., 2x or 4x).

STEP 3. Allow AI technology to analyze and enlarge a picture, complementing it with the details based on learned patterns.

AI photo editors use its smart algorithms to guess and reconstruct details, making them perfect for considerable enlargements.

Method №4 – Send Photos to FixThePhoto

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Want to Improve Clarity in Your Images?

If you are restricted in time to enhance resolution manually, FixThePhoto professionals can do this task for you. The team of specialists will perform all the needed changes during 1-2 days. In addition, you can do it without paying a dime within a free trial.

Addressing the job of increasing resolution of an image to the FixThePhoto team, you can save time and effort and direct all your strength to other essential tasks or creative pursuits. Our experienced retouchers will handle all the technical issues without your involvement. And what is especially important - we do all the edits ourselves, so we guarantee first-class quality.

Alternative Methods

In addition to using photo editing software, you can increase image resolution before shooting. I mean the choice of camera and settings that can affect the quality of the photo.

Choose a Camera with a Higher Megapixel Count

The best way to increase resolution of an image is to purchase a camera with excellent megapixel capabilities like a DSLR. These cameras shoot amazing images with more pixels per inch, which results in a greater level of detail and clarity in every pic.

The benefit of using the highest resolution camera is the ability to preserve even minor details and textures. When retouching these images, you get more flexibility to correct colors and increase image sharpness and clarity without deteriorating the quality of photos. This allows for the production of high-quality prints and digital displays.

By spending money on a camera that can shoot pics with impressive resolution, photographers can take photos with an amazing level of detail right from the start. This eliminates the need to do many enhancements at the post-production stage, as the initial shot already provides a decent foundation to produce professional-grade photographs.

Choose RAW Format

increase resolution of image jpeg vs raw

RAW format is preferable for shooting images (if compared to JPEG), as it contains all the needed data and preserves detail directly from the camera sensor. This format provides such info as color depth exposure details, simplifying a post-processing stage for photographers.

Another benefit of RAW files is that they let editors correct the exposure, and achieve a perfect color balance and sharpness level without sacrificing the picture quality. Such flexibility enables shooters to make pixel-perfect edits to get the needed results without introducing artifacts or loss of detail.

Disclaimer: The RAW format provides maximum image quality by saving all the data captured by the camera sensor. However, RAW files are very large, averaging around 30MB, which can slow down the camera performance, especially when shooting in a burst mode. Therefore, it can be difficult to take many pics when shooting fast-moving or dynamic scenes, as the camera will need more time to process and save each frame.

Using RAW format to take pics, photographers can derive the full potential from their camera’s functionality to produce crisp, vivid, and detailed images.

FREE Bonus Tools

photo editing freebies from fixthephoto

In addition to increasing the resolution of photos, you will probably want to enhance them by applying filters. With these presets, your photo editing routine will become faster and more efficient. I especially appreciate the ability to tinker with different edits, just by hovering over the presets.

But at first, you should figure out how to add Lightroom presets and how to add Photoshop actions on your device before making your photos more creative and beautiful.

FAQ

  • • What is picture resolution and what role it plays in photography?

Image resolution is the level of detail contained in an image. It is typically described in PPI (pixel per inch) or DPI (dots per inch). Higher resolution means that the image has more pixels, which results in crisper and more vivid visuals. This parameter is crucial to consider when printing photos, making detailed digital displays, and scaling up pics preserving even the finest details.

  • • Is it possible to increase picture resolution without the assistance of software?

Yes, there are techniques like shooting at higher resolutions with a pro-level camera, using RAW format for maximum data retention, etc, that allow you to do so.

  • • What are the negative effects of over-sharpening a pic?

Due to over-sharpening, such undesired artifacts like halos around edges and increased noise can affect your image, deteriorating its quality. The main thing – is not to overdo it when using sharpening tools and preview all the edits before their application.

  • • What do I need to get images ready for digital displays versus print?

To present the images digitally, make sure they are optimized for screen resolution (usually 72 or 96 DPI) and check the size of a display to eliminate pixelation. To print high-quality photos, the files should have the highest possible resolution (from 300 DPI or more) to get sharp and clear printed output.

  • • Is vectorization an effective way to increase the resolution of an image?

Vectorization allows converting raster images (pixel-based) into vector graphics (mathematically defined shapes), which do not depend on resolution. It means that you can scale images without degrading their quality, which is perfect for logos and graphics, which need to be available in different sizes.

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