Blowing up a photo

[anonymous-user]

Afternoon all

I have a couple of photos I would like to blow up to around 3foot by 3foot. Is there any software I can use to see how the photo will look, so that when I take it to the printers it won't come back all pixulated? Is there any info I can look at in the "properties" of a photo which will give me an idea of it's quality. i.e. format etc

I also fancy the idea of having a whole wall of my bedroom as a photo so would like to do the same. I have a company which will print it for me, just need some help on the quality of the photo.

Thanks

P

[_dobbo_]

It rather depends on what size you are starting with. I've printed 6mp photos at 30" and not had a problem with quality.

I believe a programme called "Genuine Fractals" is the best way to upscale an image if it's required.

[Stu R]

Semtex, it's the only way

[GetCarter]

quality/size of the photo is determined by quality/size of the file you get printed.

12 mp work well to 30 x 20 via www.photobox.co.uk - bigger than that and you'll start to get some issues if viewed close up.

The further away you view, (of course) the less of a problem you might have

[RobDickinson]

Dont expect to stand within inches of it and it to look sharp, IMO send as good a file as you can to whoever wil print it who knows there thing and let them deal with it.

[Stu R]

Could stick it on canvas if you were worried about the pixelation spoiling it?
Obviously not an approach that would lend itself to all types of photos, but it could be an idea. Not that I felt guilty for my previous post or anything and felt I should offer something serious

[anonymous-user]

It's going to be on a banner - canvas was too expensive. Will it work in the same way regarding quality? The picture I will use will end up being taken from the internet, is there anyway of determining what mega pixel it is etc?

I like the ones on this site

www.Stuckincustoms.com

I tried that application but I don't have photoshop at present, going to follow the other advise and email to the company and let them tell me if it will be ok or not.

Thanks for your help

P

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 21st December 22:14

[Simpo Two]

MRSNEAK said:

Will it work in the same way regarding quality? The picture I will use will end up being taken from the internet, is there anyway of determining what mega pixel it is etc?

Right-click > Properties, and look for pixel dimensions, eg 3,000 x 2,000.

[anonymous-user]

The one I downloaded from the site is 1024x664 with dpi of 300. Is this any good?

Perhaps the purchased image will be better quality?

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 21st December 22:20

[Simpo Two]

MRSNEAK said:

The one I downloaded from the site is 1024x664 with dpi of 300. Is this any good?

Perhaps the purchased image will be better quality?

It doesn't have a dpi (dots per inch) of anything because it hasn't been printed onto anything, so there are no inches to measure. Suffice it to say the image is 1024 dots (pixels) across and 664 dots deep.

Some will say the image must be printed at 300 ppi, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't distinguish a line of 300 dots an inch long. Let's try 180ppi. If the image is printed at 180 ppi, then it will be 5.68" x 3.68" high.

Another way to kill the beast is to start with your desired print size (you can tell there's nothing on TV tonight!). So, if you fancy a 30" x 20" print, stretch those 1024 pixels across 30" and you get 34 ppi. That's not a photo, it's braille.

So, you really will need to get a higher resolution starting image! (unless you like Roy Lichtenstein). I've stretched a 6mp image (3000px wide) over 30" and it was 'OK', so realistically, for 36" you'd need an image at least 3,000 px square IMHO, ideally more.

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 21st December 22:40

[anonymous-user]

Thanks Simpo Two

It may well be easier telling you what I am looking to do.

My Dad drives a truck and I want banner/towel for him to hang from his top bunk. I have not found any that he would like - some sort of highland scene or similair.

A local printing company were going to put this on a banner for me (canvas was too expensive).

Would 3200 x 2400 be of any use?

[_dobbo_]

Highland scene..... I'm sure someone around here is good at those....

Edited by _dobbo_ on Sunday 21st December 22:58

[Simpo Two]

MRSNEAK said:

Would 3200 x 2400 be of any use?

That's more like it. Are we talking vinyl? That's getting too far off my patch I'm afraid, can't really help you from here.

[anonymous-user]

Yes vinyl is what I am looking at, but have just found a US site that can maybe do as a towel/cotton sheet.

One last thing, can you recommend any sites where I may be able to get a good quality image from - happy to pay, but not too much as stil have the banner costs.

At the minute it looks like I am going to have to take it myself

[RobDickinson]

An image of what?

Nothing (realisticaly) takes an image with a resolution to print 300dpi at 3ft square either!

[looop]

I assume you were going to be paying the photographer for the use of their image you found on the internet too?
Ask them if they can supply you with the larger orignal size file.

[Simpo Two]

MRSNEAK said:

can you recommend any sites where I may be able to get a good quality image from - happy to pay, but not too much as stil have the banner costs.

GetCarter is our resident Highlands and landscapes expert:

http://www.stevecarter.com/sh.htm

[Holst]

I would also have a look on flickr.co.uk and see if there are any images you like, im sure there will be something suitable.

I needed a picture of a summer medow for a large sign and found a few good images. I emailed the people who took the photos explaining what I wanted to use the image for and a couple of guys sent me there origional high res picture for free.