Change before or after enlarging?

JL
Posted By
Jonathan_Lewis
Jul 27, 2004
Views
290
Replies
13
Status
Closed
Hello,

I’ve got a photo that I need to make some changes to (brightness, color, sharpness, etc.). I also need to enlarge the photo. What I’m wondering, is if there is any "order of operations" that is technically better (especially in regards to sharpness and image size). For example, is it better to do all the corrections, and then enlarge it, or enlarge it first and then correct it? Does it make a difference?

Thanks!
Jonathan

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O
Ol__Whozit
Jul 28, 2004
I would enlarge first, just to make sure selections are as precise as possible. If you correct first, you may find further tweaking required once you enlarge…
CK
Christine_Krof_Shock
Jul 28, 2004
Enlarge on the scanner!! Don’t enlarge in Photoshop unless you can do it without resampling! You could end up with an image that has lost sharpness or even worse pixelization!
CW
Colin_Walls
Jul 28, 2004
Just to clarify, what do yo umean by "enlarge"? Are you actually increasing th enumber of pixels?
If so, the advice you have received stands.
If not, and you’re only tweaking the physical dimensions and, hence the resolution, it makes no difference.
JL
Jonathan_Lewis
Jul 28, 2004
Hello Christine and Colin,

First, Colin, yes I’m actually increasing the number of pixels. Also, Christine, these are digital photographs, so unfortunately I can’t increase the size on the scanner. However, I’m not drastically increasing the size, so I’m not losing a lot of quality.

I know there are things you can do to minimize quality loss (such as increasing by only 10% at a time), and I was just wondering if there were any similar "tricks" in relation to correcting and resizing.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Jonathan
CW
Colin_Walls
Jul 28, 2004
I’m not drastically increasing the size

Depending upon the individual image, sometimes it’s best to resample to get the size you want at a suitable resolution [say 300ppi]. Other times, you’ll get better results sending a lower resolution picture to the printer and let it sort it out.

What dimensions/resolution are you looking at?
JL
Jonathan_Lewis
Jul 28, 2004
I’m starting with an image sized at 6.5 x 10" (300 ppi) and need to enlarge it to 8.75 x 11.2".
RA
Rafael_Aviles
Jul 28, 2004
I’m starting with an image sized at 6.5 x 10" (300 ppi) and need to enlarge it to 8.75 x 11.2".

Your target size has a different aspect ratio from the original one. Unless you crop, you can get either 8.75 x 13.5 OR 7.3 x 11.2.

In any event, I’d do it by just changing the resolution from 300 ppi to 240 ppi (resulting size will be 7.8 x 12.5) or 270 ppi (resulting size will be ~7 x 11.1). This leaves your pixels unchanged. Either resolution should be fine for an ink jet printer.

Regards,

Rafael
JL
Jonathan_Lewis
Jul 28, 2004
Hi Rafael,

Yes, I should have mentioned that I was going to crop the image after I enlarged it to get the exact size I need.

Unfortunately, this won’t be printed just on an ink jet. It’s for magazine artwork, and will be printed on a web press. Does anyone know if a lower resolution (lower than 300, that is) will work well on a web?

Jonathan
CW
Colin_Walls
Jul 28, 2004
Jonathan

I’m with Rafael’s comments 100%.

I don’t know th easnwer to the web press question. You might get a quick answer if you post a new query on the forum [with a clear subject line].
JL
Jonathan_Lewis
Jul 28, 2004
Okay, thanks everybody.
A
alforddesigngroup
Jul 28, 2004
wrote:

Hi Rafael,

Yes, I should have mentioned that I was going to crop the image after I enlarged it to get the exact size I need.

Unfortunately, this won’t be printed just on an ink jet. It’s for magazine artwork, and will be printed on a web press. Does anyone know if a lower resolution (lower than 300, that is) will work well on a web?

Jonathan
find out what the printer requires.
dwain
L
LenHewitt
Jul 28, 2004
Jonathan,

Depending upon the lpi you’ll be printing at, 240 ppi should be just fine – that will be OK up to 175 lpi
JL
Jonathan_Lewis
Jul 28, 2004
Thanks Len, I guess I’ll check with the printer.

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