Pixelated photos occur when an image loses resolution and appears blurry, distorted, and pixelated. This happens due to various reasons like poor printing, downloading compressed images, resizing images beyond limits, etc. Fixing a pixelated photo may seem difficult but it’s possible with the right tools and techniques. This comprehensive guide will teach you how to fix pixelated pictures using Photoshop, online apps, and other editing software.
What Causes Pixelated Photos?
Before learning how to fix pixelated images, it’s important to understand what causes them in the first place. Here are some of the most common reasons:
Low Resolution
Low resolution images have fewer pixels. When enlarged or printed, they lose detail and appear pixelated. Using high resolution images prevents this.
Compressed Images
To reduce file size, images are compressed. But excessive compression leads to loss of image data resulting in pixelation.
Resizing Images
Increasing image dimensions requires interpolating existing pixels. This reduces overall resolution causing pixelated images.
Poor Printer Settings
Printing with incorrect page size or resolution settings can skew images and cause pixelation.
Image Corruption
Improper device handling, software issues, storage media errors etc. can corrupt image data leading to pixelation.
How To Fix Pixelated Photos
Now that you know what causes pixelated pictures, let’s look at the various methods to fix them:
Using Photoshop
Photoshop has advanced AI tools to fix pixelated images without reducing quality. Here are some things you can try:
- Adjust Image Size: Increase dimensions up to 400% using preserve details AI. Sharpen image after.
- Apply Despeckle Filter: Removes distortion while preserving edges.
- Use Content-Aware Fill: Automatically fills pixelated areas with surrounding textures.
Online Image Upscalers
Online AI image upscalers use neural networks to fix pixelated jpegs. Some popular options:
- Let’s Enhance: Fixes pixelation and enhances photos. Has mobile apps too.
- Pixelied: Easy to use depixelator to enhance image quality online.
- Upscale.pics: Uses AI to upscale and sharpen low res pixelated images.
Photo Editing Apps
Mobile apps like Snapseed, PicsArt, Remini etc. have filters to reduce pixelation and sharpen images. They are easy to use.
Prevent Pixelation
To avoid fixing pixelated pictures, take steps to prevent it in the first place:
- Use high resolution camera settings.
- Handle devices properly to prevent corruption.
- Avoid excessive compression and resizing of images.
- Use optimal printer settings for size and resolution.
Repair Corrupted Images
If pixelation is due to corruption, use a photo repair software like Stellar Repair to fix the images.
How To Sharpen Pixelated Photos
Along with the above methods, try sharpening pixelated pictures to make them clearer. Here are some effective sharpening tips:
- In Photoshop, go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask. Adjust settings to sharpen.
- Increase structure and texture in Adobe Camera Raw or Lightroom.
- Apply sharpening selectively on edges and details using Photoshop masks.
- Use high pass filter to sharpen edges and details in an image.
Avoid over-sharpening as it can cause unwanted noise and graininess.
Before & After Examples
Here are some before and after examples of fixing pixelated images using different techniques:
Before and after fixing pixelated image
This pixelated jpeg was fixed using AI image upscaler and slightly sharpened in Photoshop.
Before and after image depixelation
This heavily pixelated photo was repaired by increasing dimensions in Photoshop and applying content-aware fill to remove distortions.
Conclusion
I hope this guide gives you a good understanding of what causes pixelated pictures and the various techniques to fix them. Using the right tools and methods, you can repair even heavily distorted images. Remember that prevention is better than cure, so take measures to avoid pixelated photos in the first place.
