How to Increase Image Resolution in Adobe Lightroom and Beyond

Increasing the resolution of an image in Adobe Lightroom involves several steps primarily focused on exporting the image at a higher resolution. This process does not directly change the resolution within Lightroom itself; rather, it involves optimizing the export settings. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it.

Steps to Increase Resolution in Lightroom

1. Import Your Image

Open Adobe Lightroom and import the image you want to work with. Start by importing the image through the Import feature.

2. Edit Your Image

Make any necessary adjustments to your image using the Develop Module. This includes exposure, color correction, and cropping to ensure the final image looks its best.

3. Export the Image

From the top menu, click on File and select Export.

Set Export Settings

File Settings: Choose the file format (e.g., JPEG, TIFF), and set the color space (e.g., sRGB, Adobe RGB). Image Sizing: Check the box for Resize to Fit. Set the dimensions you desire. You can choose specific pixel dimensions or a percentage of the original size. Resolution: Set the resolution in pixels per inch (commonly 300 PPI for print). This will determine the final size of the image when printed.

Output Sharpening

Optionally, apply output sharpening for screen or print to enhance the final image quality before export.

Choose Export Location

Select the location where you want to save the exported file.

Export

Click the Export button to save your image with the new settings.

Important Notes on Upscaling

Upscaling: Simply increasing the resolution doesn’t add new details to the image. It can result in a larger file size but can also lead to a loss in quality if the original image is not high enough resolution. Lightroom Classic vs. Lightroom: The process is similar in both versions, but the interface might vary slightly.

Additional Upscaling Options

While Lightroom handles upsizing well, you can also use Lightroom CC to export the image at a larger size than the actual pixels the photo imports at. This is an up-resolution trick where the program adds pixels. However, it relies on the initial resolution of the image to a certain extent.

If you are looking for more advanced upscaling techniques, you can consider using Gigapixel AI from Topaz Labs. This program utilizes AI to increase resolution, and depending on your needs, the results can be incredible. This can be particularly useful for photos that have a decent amount of resolution but need a bit more enhancement.

By following these steps, you can effectively export your images at a higher resolution for various uses, such as printing or displaying on high-resolution screens.