Software or scanner to enlage photos (Page 2): I scan old 4X6 prints to get digital copies. Heaven knows where the negatives are.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

JohnSwanda wrote:

The only way I can see a scanner makes sense is if the original is on film, and you scan it at maximum resolution.

I scan old 4X6 prints to get digital copies. Heaven knows where the negatives are.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

A good scanner does a good job of making a printable result. Most like me have no idea where the negatives and do a lot for others who don't supply a negative

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

PHRubin wrote:

I scan old 4X6 prints to get digital copies. Heaven knows where the negatives are.

I can't see how that is what the OP is asking about since there is no way to enlarge a print using software.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

JohnSwanda wrote:

I can't see how that is what the OP is asking about since there is no way to enlarge a print using software.

In Lightroom, you go to the print module and pick your size, be it2x2 or8x10 or anything in between, put the proper size paper in the printer and print

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

sodapop wrote:

In Lightroom...

Right from the start, you're talking about digital, not prints.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

sodapop wrote:

In Lightroom, you go to the print module and pick your size, be it2x2 or8x10 or anything in between, put the proper size paper in the printer and print

First you have to use a scanner to get the print into Lightroom - you can't do it with software alone. The OP asked about software OR a scanner. But then I'm not sure the OP knows what he is asking about, and he hasn't returned to clarify his question.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Maybe I am missing the point. I can scan a small photo and print it via Lightroom any size I want. If I go to Photoshop a I can increase or decrease the pixel count, inches and percent. Doesn't always work well, but it does most of the time

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

JohnSwanda wrote:

First you have to use a scanner to get the print into Lightroom - you can't do it with software alone. The OP asked about software OR a scanner. But then I'm not sure the OP knows what he is asking about, and he hasn't returned to clarify his question.

Well ya.

John Hicks Loc: Sible Hedinham North Essex England

I use a Canon M 50 camera and print up to A3 size of prints but that is using software through my photographic software package paint shop pro 2021 ultimate.
One strange thing I downloaded the 2022 version but could not install it as every time I tried up came this is not a Microsoft App.
So I got my money back .

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

So are the majority of your posts.
--Bob

User ID wrote:

Total nonsense.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

I agree with Rich in Seattle: And I have an Epson V700 for larger negs and a dedicated slide scanner. The macro lens camera is useful if you are copying prints in---say---a museum or historical archive. Then a copy stand or on the spot tripod and LED lights are needed. And, of course then you are digitally post processing.---Eric

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

JohnSwanda wrote:

I can't see how that is what the OP is asking about since there is no way to enlarge a print using software.

I can take a 800 X 533 photo and make an 8000 X 5330 copy. I'm not saying how it will look, but it is easy to do.

Strange that the 800 X 533 copy won't "store original".

P.S. That is Stonewall Jackson, who just passed.

(Download)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

PHRubin wrote:

I can take a 800 X 533 photo and make an 8000 X 5330 copy. I'm not saying how it will look, but it is easy to do.

Strange that the 800 X 533 copy won't "store original".

P.S. That is Stonewall Jackson, who just passed.

Click to the pixel level details of the enlargement, and you can see the extreme softening of the details that can occur when you ask software to invent pixels into an image. When using software, any software, to invent pixels, only enlarge to the minimum needed to enlarge the image to the specifics of the need. An 8000px image would seem like a questionable need / purpose, again based on the pixel-level results.

Regarding storing an original, the image needs to be 'wider' than the UHH max. The old limit was 800px, but recent observation say the limit is now in the 1100px 'wide' area.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

PHRubin wrote:

I can take a 800 X 533 photo and make an 8000 X 5330 copy. I'm not saying how it will look, but it is easy to do.

Strange that the 800 X 533 copy won't "store original".

P.S. That is Stonewall Jackson, who just passed.

I was talking about a PRINT. Of course I know a digital photo can be scaled up. The OP's question was whether a scanner or software was better to enlarge photos. He didn't specify print, film, or digital, but prints and film need a scanner, and digital needs software, so it doesn't make sense, and hasn't seen fit to return to clarify his question.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

JohnSwanda wrote:

I was talking about a PRINT. Of course I know a digital photo can be scaled up. The OP's question was whether a scanner or software was better to enlarge photos. He didn't specify print, film, or digital, but prints and film need a scanner, and digital needs software, so it doesn't make sense, and hasn't seen fit to return to clarify his question.

Kinda pointless to speculate, since he wasn't specific enough with what he was asking, no?