Learn the proper techniques to resize your images in Adobe Photoshop, whether you're making them larger or smaller, while preserving the maximum possible detail and sharpness.
With your image open, navigate to the top menu and select Image > Image Size. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Alt + Ctrl + I (Windows) or Option + Cmd + I (Mac).
In the Image Size window, enter your desired new dimensions in the Width and Height fields. Ensure the link icon is active to maintain the aspect ratio. You can change the unit of measurement (pixels, inches, etc.) from the dropdown menu.
Check the Resample box. From the dropdown menu, select the best algorithm for your needs. For enlarging images, Preserve Details 2.0 is often the best choice. For reducing image size, Bicubic Sharper is recommended.
If you're enlarging with 'Preserve Details', you can use the Reduce Noise slider to smooth out any artifacts that may appear. Click OK to apply the changes.
Pro Tips for High-Quality Resizing
Before resizing, right-click your layer and select Convert to Smart Object. This allows you to resize non-destructively, meaning you can scale it up and down multiple times without cumulative quality loss.
Resizing can soften an image. Apply a sharpening filter, like Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen, after you've resized the image to restore crispness to the details.
For significant size reductions, resizing in smaller steps (e.g., reducing to 50% multiple times) can sometimes yield slightly better results than a single large reduction.
Always view your image at 100% zoom (Actual Pixels) before and after resizing to accurately judge the quality. This gives you a true representation of the final result.
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