ron0987

I am looking for help and advice on software. I have been texted several photos and do not have access to the original photos. These are from my kids and friends and they were never retained in the original format and yes I have permission from them to reprint. But as I download them to convert into a printable format they are extremely pixelated and or unusable. I am looking for anything that will allow the increased size without breakdown of the photo. I am not looking for anything crazy just 5x7. I have seen lots of adds that say it will take any photo and resize it to be printed and have found nothing that works. Any experience or help would be appreciated. Hopefully I have explained clearly what I am looking for.

gerdog

Is there any chance that they can email copies to you? Texting programs really shrink the images. I have had some success using Irfanview to print pictures to a larger size, but if detail just isn't there to begin with, it's hard to resize them up. Maybe you could upload one here so people can see what you are dealing with and offer suggestions. Folks here would be glad to tinker with your pics to see what they can come up with.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

If they are very tiny, you might consider doing a collage rather than individual prints. Here is one to try:
https://www.befunky.com/features/collage-maker/

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ron0987

Most of the photos were lost when the two phone were stolen, so that is why I don't have access to originals. I can download a few when I am back at my desk to access them.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Unfortunately, enlarging a small photo just spreads out its pixels, making it difficult for any software to resolve when enlarged to printable size. I like the collage idea, a great use of small photos.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

A silk purse cannot be made from a sow’s ear. The file you have is probably good for a postage stamp size “thumbnail” print.

You simply need more pixels. A 5x7 needs 1200 by 1680 pixels, minimum, in the printable image. 1500x2100 is better.

Ask the photographer for that size image.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right. A good example is my avatar, which measures 100 x 60 px. Leave it small, and it looks fine. Make it large, and it's a mess.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Professionals often charge for various rights to digital images. But thumbnails might be free, as proofs.

Amateurs using mobile devices or email on computers can choose small, medium, large, and original size images when sending them to others. Original size is best for printing.

Frayud Loc: Bethesda,MD

Can BeFunky be used with iMac? With the old iPhoto there was a white frame around e-mailed pictures, now with Photos the pictures are jammed up against each other.

Thankew, Fred L

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Some PP software will do interpolation for small improvements to the image size. They interpolate the existing image to one somewhat larger. If you have a windows PC, check out Faststone. The software allows you to resize/resample. It wont give you good looking poster sized photos from a 3x4 image but I have had limited success going to 25 - 30% larger pictures. Start small and gradually increase the size until you get the best quality for the bigger size. IMPORTANT to note - do NOT save the resized image to the same name and, if the resulting image does not look good, go back to the original file to try a different size. Never try to reduce a file that you have previously expanded. Create a backup of the original just in case you accidentally do save the working file to the original name !!

You can also consider printing the photo at its native size on a high quality printer and then taking a higher resolution picture of the printed photo. Often this will allow larger final prints. This method relies heavily on the quality of the original print/image and may not be of any help if the initial image is not the highest quality.

Good Luck.
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