4 Ways To Get a Super-Resolution Photo

It was big news when Adobe introduced a super-resolution function in Adobe Camera Raw. Although this kind of enlargement is not new, many photographers were excited. I know four ways to get super-resolution. Which method do you prefer?

The super-resolution of Adobe makes it possible to enlarge the resolution four times. That may not seem a lot, but it makes a 100mp image from a 25mp photo. Although Adobe has introduced this function as a new option in ACR, many other programs already offered something similar. But I don’t want to dive into the differences. I want to look at four different ways to increase resolution.

Method 1: A Super-Resolution Camera

This is probably the most obvious method, although it might be forgotten by many because everyone is staring at super-resolution by the so-called A.I. software. Having a camera with a huge pixel count is the easiest way.

I used and reviewed a Fujifilm GFX 100 in 2020 during my trip to Lofoten. This camera produces a 102mp image every single time you press the shutter release button. Although this camera is very expensive, Fujifilm released a less expensive one, the GFX100s.

Resolutions of modern cameras are still increasing. Sony has a 61mp camera while a lot of the other brands are reaching the 50mp. This may be only half the resolution of the Fujifilm GFX100, but it is still a lot. I expect more high-resolution cameras will hit the market within the next few years.

Pros

• A super-resolution is achieved at once.
• No software or digital tricks are necessary

Cons

• These cameras are often very expensive
• You need very good lenses to retain the maximum detail
• Camera shake and subject movement is much quicker noticeable

Method 2: Stacking Multiple Images

The next method is the merger of multiple images of the same subject. As far as I know, this was first introduced in a Hasselblad camera. Today cameras from Panasonic, Nikon, Fujifilm, and Sony make it possible to shoot a series of images that are stacked, enlarged, and merged together to achieve a resolution that is approximately four times larger than the native resolution.

This is a great function to get a large resolution in a relatively easy way. If your camera doesn’t have that option, don’t worry. You can do this yourself also, with a series of images and the help of Photoshop.

Shoot about twenty images handheld without changing the composition. Place these images as layers on top of each other in Photoshop and align the layers. Next, place the layers in a smart object and enlarge the image to 200%. The magic happens when the layers in the smart object are stacked with the median method. Add an unsharp mask and you have increased the resolution by a factor of four.

This is a similar method as used in the cameras I mentioned before.  It allows you to enlarge the image without losing detail, which is quite impressive.

Pros

• This can be done with any camera, cheap, expensive, old, or new
• Newer cameras have the option build in
• Can also be used with high-resolution cameras
• The method also reduces the noise level

Cons

• A lot of images have to be shot
• Movement of subjects will be visible
• Takes a lot of processing time in Photoshop
• Parallax can be an issue

Method 3: Super-Resolution Software

Software allows us to enlarge an image without losing detail. We are told this super-resolution software is making use of Artificial Intelligence to invent the missing pixels. And it does an amazing job on most occasions.

The Adobe super-resolution is already explained in a lot of articles and video tutorials. I made one myself for the Dutch audience. But Adobe is not the first one to offer super-resolution. Topaz Gigapixel AI offered this possibility already for years. I have heard also about free online enlargement software. Just upload your image and you get a download link with the enlarged image. Often the maximum enlargement is four times, but some software allows you to take it even further.

Pros

• Only one image is necessary
• No parallax errors
• Can also be used for images with moving objects
• Can also be used for high-resolution images.

Cons

• Result is not always guaranteed
• Can produce over-sharpening to emphasize the details.

Method 4: Multi-Row Panorama

If a very high resolution is necessary, it is possible to make a multi-row panorama with a tele lens. With this method, the resolution that can be achieved has no real limit. If the focal length is long enough, a gigapixel photo is well within reach.

I wrote an article about the RRS PG-01 Pano Gimbal Head which is perfect for such extreme high-resolution photos. With this setup and a 100mm focal length on a Canon EOS R5, I managed to shoot a 752mp resolution.

You need to work very precisely and you need some time to shoot all those images. For the 752mp photo in my example, I stitched 50 images in PTgui, each 45mp, and it took me about 10 minutes to shoot all the footage. With a programmable pano gimbal head, it might be quicker.

Pros

• There is almost no limit in the resolution that can be achieved

Cons

• You need a lot of time to shoot
• Moving subjects can’t be photographed this way, even clouds or changing light can be an issue
• It takes a lot of computer processing to stitch the images
• Depth of field can be an issue when using longer focal lengths

Do You Need Super-Resolution?

These four methods allow you to get a large to a very large resolution photo. Which method suits you best is a personal choice. Perhaps each method has its own use. But it is also possible to combine methods.

The question you need to ask yourself is: do you need a super-resolution? I can imagine these methods can be of great value if your image has a low resolution. But in this case, I am talking about getting a very large resolution of at least 50mp but often much more. When would you need such large images?

Perhaps you might say: it allows to get large size prints with 300 dpi. But don’t forget it is rarely necessary to get such dpi values for very large prints. Take billboards, for instance. The viewing distance allows a low dpi value. You don’t need a 300 dpi print for that. Those prints are only used in high quality books, which are rarely larger than A3 size.

I feel these super-resolution photos are often an option to make software or cameras more attractive. Most of the time there is no reason to have such large images.

But perhaps I am mistaken. Perhaps you have a good use for super-resolution images that can be produced by any of the four methods I mentioned. Perhaps there is a fifth method I'm not aware of. Please share your opinion about super-resolution and its use in real life. Remember, I am not talking about cropping a 50mp file into a 12mp image and enlarging it again to get 50mp. I referring to the use of real super-resolution photos.