Photoshop Editing

Yes, I’ve noticed that enlarging is really never the best option.

It IS better to get the picture shot right than to try to “process” the right image……I try not to “enlarge” files by a large percentage unless i am doing some drastic reworking to it. My 42″ printer shows every little artifact!

I just need a better, longer lens for my Canon:eek:
Just have to figure out how to justify it!!

I must admit, enlarging images isn’t something I’ve ever really done although on the few occasions I have in PS, even re-sampling bicubic I haven’t been overly impressed with the results. The specialist software, so I’m reliably informed performs very well, I just don’t know what that software is!

For your reference a nice article about resampling in Photoshop CS/CS2 http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/resizing-resampling-photoshop.html

Qimage software is reported to be the best for upsizing http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/

It really is best to enlarge the image in postprocessing rather than using digital zoom. In Photoshop go to Image / Image Size and tick the Resample Image box with option Bicubic. In my experience the quality of resampling in PS is quite good, although some specialized programs are reported to do an even better job.

I must admit, enlarging images isn’t something I’ve ever really done although on the few occasions I have in PS, even re-sampling bicubic I haven’t been overly impressed with the results. The specialist software, so I’m reliably informed performs very well, I just don’t know what that software is!

Paul

Whether you digitally zoom in on the camera or in PS you’re essentially doing the same thing. There are ways of enlarging digital images without pixelating them by interpolation, which basically re-calculates and adds data in between the original pixels, making the image smooth. It isn’t something I’ve ever done or I’m particularly familliar with, but it can be done… Somehow! Maybe someone can shed a little more light on software available to do this?

It really is best to enlarge the image in postprocessing rather than using digital zoom. In Photoshop go to Image / Image Size and tick the Resample Image box with option Bicubic. In my experience the quality of resampling in PS is quite good, although some specialized programs are reported to do an even better job.

Thanks very much for the replies guys. Much Appreciated 🙂
Correct, the camera does not have a RAW option, and with having this camera have also learnt never to use the digital zoom as the images come out terribly with terrible grain. I am interested in DSLR’s but to be quite honest they are expensive and i wont get to use it enough to make it be worth it, thats why i chose a point and shoot. Still dont get bad images from it though.
Thanks again,
James

Yes, in enlarging a digital file, it is interpolating the pixels, whether by cameras’ brain or by pc software, it has just been my experience that Photoshop (where there are different controls in the interpolation for enlarging of files) has done a better job than camera’s built in software. There are also some stand-alone bits of software that do the same. Cameras’ built-in has gotten much better in the last couple years and unless you are enlarging to a BIG print, it may be a mute point!

Here is a link to some comparissons for doing this kind of thing.

http://www.digitaldarrell.com/Article-InterpolatingDigitalImages.asp

At least in my experience, it is always better to enlarge in photoshop than to force the camera to try it’s hand at it!

Whether you digitally zoom in on the camera or in PS you’re essentially doing the same thing. There are ways of enlarging digital images without pixelating them by interpolation, which basically re-calculates and adds data in between the original pixels, making the image smooth. It isn’t something I’ve ever done or I’m particularly familliar with, but it can be done… Somehow! Maybe someone can shed a little more light on software available to do this?

Paul

NO RAW, looked it up…..but the camera can be operated in full manual mode. Good for a little point and shoot! Also noticed while looking into this model, that there is an adaptor and telephoto lens available for it! Makes it a 368mm. Not bad for a point and shoot.

Another thing on digi’s….ONLY use the optical zoom. Do NOT use digital zoom.

At least in my experience, it is always better to enlarge in photoshop than to force the camera to try it’s hand at it! Of course, the technology has been changing rapiidly and I have not done a lot of research on point-n-shoots lately.

I know little of the model, but am not convinced that a Canon Powershot A710 is going to offer a RAW option.

Moggy

I know very little about compacts, as a always shoot with (D)SLR’s, but I’m sure that you’re right about this camera not offering the RAW option.

My remarks were not specifically aimed at this camera, but more in general in reply to the previous post.

I know little of the model, but am not convinced that a Canon Powershot A710 is going to offer a RAW option.

Moggy

1: shoot the best, biggest shot you can shoot, in RAW if your camera can handel it.

2: never change your original pic file, make a copy of it before making any changes(save a second copy of every picture on a second hard drive-not just a different partition of the same drive)

I second the recommendation to shoot RAW whenever possible. Usually RAW files are always in the highest resolution possible.

Although for safety purposes it is advisable to make a backup of your original RAW file, one of the biggest advantages of RAW over JPEG is that you can always get back to the original! Modifications to RAW files are non-destructive. Modifications are saved in an attached instructions set. The original will always remain intact. With JPEG the file itself is modified and, because of the compression algorithms, with every save action the quality will diminish.

5: Make sure you have a monitor that has good color or you could be giving yourself a BIG headache.

There is only one way to make sure that your monitor has good color: monitor calibration! There are various systems on the market to accomplish this. Just to name a few: Monaco OPTIX and Color Vision Spyder 2.

Photoshop is a VERY big world. I’ve been using it for nearly ten years and it is still a big scary program. It is best to break it into little pieces to learn at a time.

1: shoot the best, biggest shot you can shoot, in RAW if your camera can handel it.

2: never change your origianal pic file, make a copy of it before making any changes(save a second copy of every picture on a second hard drive-not just a different partition of the same drive)

3: Play with it, don’t be afraid of trying different things(that is why we play with a copy)

4: Lots of tutorials out there…just pick one thing at a time to work. Color balance, contrast, curves…or just start with the Auto adjust and go from there.

5: Make sure you have a monitor that has good color or you could be giving yourself a BIG headache.

6: Ask questions, be specific, there is a lot of knowedge on this forum, or join a photo forum, lots of them out there.

I just entered the words “Photoshop Tutorial” into Google (with the quote marks.)

It returned around 938,000 results.

If you worked your way through these at a rate of ten per day it would only take you 257 years to get through them.

Good luck.

Moggy

Yeah thats the sort of thing i’m after Jur and CSheppardholedi im basically just after tips and techniques that you can improve the quality of the pictures.
Cheers for the answers,
James

Any help with editing photos with photoshop, saw a tutorial weeks ago but cannot seem to find it anywhere. Basically have a good Digital compact (and yes, i know it is not ideal) a Canon Powershot A710 to be precise and got a couple of pics today. Any advice other than that would be useful too.
Regards, Newcastle

On this site you’ll find quite a few Photoshop tutorials (various versions):
http://www.photoworkshop.com/adobe/softwarecinema/index.html

Not sure just what you are after asking for “editing” photos in Photoshop. Photoshop is a do all program.

Color correction will probably be one of your first stops, playing with the curves, brightness contrast, removing the errant dust specks….there is a lot of territory in “editing photos”

What , specifically, are you looking to do?