How to depixelate images and convert into High Quality photos in Photoshop

Introduction

If you've ever struggled with low-quality images and wished for a way to enhance them, you're in the right place. In this article, we'll guide you through three simple steps to de-pixelate images and convert low-quality photos into high-quality images using Adobe Photoshop. Let's get started!

Step 1: Adjusting Preferences for Resolution

Open Photoshop: Launch the Photoshop software on your device.
Open Your Image: Go to File > Open and select the low-quality image you want to enhance.
Access Preferences: Navigate to the Edit menu and click on Preferences, or use the shortcut Ctrl + K (or Command + K for Mac).
Enable Preserve Details 2.0: In the Preferences dialog box, find the "Technology Preview" section and check the box for "Preserve Details 2.0." Click OK.
Resize the Image: Navigate to Image > Image Size. Set the resolution to 300 pixels/inch and the height to 2500 pixels. Adjust the ‘Resample’ option to "Preserve Details 2.0” to see the effects of this setting.

After applying these settings, you should see a noticeable improvement in image quality.

Step 2: Retouching and Smoothing the Image

Duplicate the Layer: Right-click on the background layer and choose Duplicate Layer. Do this again to have two duplicates for smoothing and sharpening.
Apply Gaussian Blur: Select the "Smooth" layer, then go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set the radius to 12 pixels and click OK.
Desaturate the Image: Click on the "Sharpen" layer, go to Image > Adjustments, and choose Desaturate (shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + U).
High Pass Sharpening: Navigate to Filter > Other > High Pass. Set the radius to 3.9 pixels and click OK.
Set Blending Mode: Change the blending mode of the sharpened layer from "Normal" to "Overlay".
Create a Group: Select both layers (hold Ctrl to choose multiple layers), then press Ctrl + G to group them.
Negative Masking: Hold Alt and click on the mask to create a negative mask.
Brush Tool for Smoothing: Select the Brush Tool and set the foreground color to white (shortcut: press D for default colors). Paint over areas you want to smooth, especially the skin.

Adjust the opacity of the Smoothed layer to fine-tune the effect.

Step 3: Final Sharpening and Eye Enhancement

Create a New Layer: Click on the icon to create a new layer.
Apply Final Image Adjustments: Go to Image > Apply Image and click OK.
Sharpening: Go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask. Set the threshold to 8, the radius to 7 pixels, and the amount to 100%. Click OK.
Smart Sharpen: For additional sharpening, go to Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen, and click OK.

If you wish to enhance the eyes, create another new layer. Choose the Brush Tool with white as the foreground color and lower the opacity. Gently brush over the eyes for a brighter effect, then use the Erase Tool to clean up any unwanted areas.

Conclusion

By following these three steps, you can transform any low-quality image into a high-quality photo in just a few minutes. Whether you're prepping images for social media or professional use, these techniques will significantly enhance your photos.

Keywords

Photoshop
Depixelate
High Quality
Image Resolution
Gaussian Blur
Desaturation
Sharpening
Retouching

FAQ

Q1: What is "Preserve Details 2.0" in Photoshop?
A1: Preserve Details 2.0 is a resampling method in Photoshop that helps maintain visual quality when resizing images.

Q2: How do I access preferences in Photoshop?
A2: You can access preferences by going to the Edit menu and selecting Preferences, or by pressing Ctrl + K (or Command + K on Mac).

Q3: Can these steps be used for all images?
A3: While these steps can significantly enhance many images, results may vary based on the original image quality and characteristics.

Q4: What is Gaussian Blur used for?
A4: Gaussian Blur is used to smooth out images, which can help in retouching skin and other features by reducing detail in certain areas.

Q5: Is it necessary to duplicate the layers before editing?
A5: Yes, duplicating layers allows you to maintain a backup of the original image while experimenting with effects without losing the original quality.