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Sanpanza
Sanpanza
Known Participant
May 19, 2019
Answered

Upsampling Fine Art images

  • May 19, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 1383 views

I have some landscape images that I would like to upsample from 8200 (27") pixels to at least 7200 pixels (30") and hopefully 9600 pixels (40").

At one point does the image become too degraded for fine art printing? The images were shot on a Nikon 850 at ISO 64. You can see them in the link attached.

Any thoughts on upsampling images would be helpful. Thanks for your time and attention.

Landscapes by Ed Carreon

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer davescm

Hi

As Nancy says interpolation always introduces artifacts. The question is, are those artifacts prefereable to just printing with larger pixels? In most cases the answer is no. The reason is that as we print larger, we naturally view the resulting print from a greater distance, and so from that greater distance the larger pixels are no more visible than the smaller pixels were on a smaller print viewed close up.

There is some good advice at the link below regarding the resolution required for printing. As stated above , it all depends on viewing distance :

What print resolution works for what viewing distance?

Dave

3 replies

D Fosse
Community Expert
D FosseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 19, 2019

There is no earthly reason to upsample at all. A D850 file can be reproduced at any size, for any purpose.

Carefully shot, and at low ISO, that's a state of the art image file. Upsampling will only degrade it.

Sanpanza
SanpanzaAuthor
Known Participant
May 19, 2019

So if I uderstand correctly, if I have a native file size at 8200 and I want to make a print at 9600 pixels, I DO NOT HAVE TO EXTRAPOLATE? What that just produce a an image with less pixels perh inch and this lower resolution?

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 19, 2019

Yes just use Image >Image size and uncheck Resample. You will retain the same number of pixels over the larger area.

Dave

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 19, 2019

Hi

As Nancy says interpolation always introduces artifacts. The question is, are those artifacts prefereable to just printing with larger pixels? In most cases the answer is no. The reason is that as we print larger, we naturally view the resulting print from a greater distance, and so from that greater distance the larger pixels are no more visible than the smaller pixels were on a smaller print viewed close up.

There is some good advice at the link below regarding the resolution required for printing. As stated above , it all depends on viewing distance :

What print resolution works for what viewing distance?

Dave

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 19, 2019

    Upsizing is apt to introduce artifacts.  And the more you do it, the more artifacts are introduced.  That said, artificial intelligence and improved  interpolation methods are making strides.  See this article.

    https://petapixel.com/2016/10/14/free-software-can-upscale-enlarge-photos-better-photoshop/

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
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