How to Depixelate and Enhance Pixelated Images

Raza Ali Kazmi Solutions, Sorcim Articles

Unpixelating or depixelating is the process of fixing an already pixelated image. Getting clean, unpixelated results isn’t easy. But before we dig deeper into this process, it’s vital to understand what image pixelation is, how it occurs, and why it needs special fixing.

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What is Image Pixelation? How Does it Occur?

Image Pixelation is also called the Pixelate Effect. It often occurs when you try to enlarge an image to fit your needs. But when you do it by force (beyond its supported image resolution), the entire picture or some portions of it may get blurred.

You may also notice square pixels, little squares, jagged edges, appearance problems, or other distortions when you resize your image. And there can be a considerable loss of fine details, reduced color accuracy, and increased noise level.

In short, your image will become less accurate and lose its quality. That is why professional photographers often recommend keeping your original aspect ratio and image resolution intact.

 

What Does it Mean to Depixelate an Image?

Depixelate is the process of reversing the pixelation of an image. It typically occurs when you increase the image resolution, applying various digital techniques that result in a clear image with higher visibility of individual pixels and detailed pixels.

 

Steps

Important: Sometimes, the process of depixelating can go wrong and results in a highly distorted image with distracting quality, excessive blurring, and loss of pixel details. It is HIGHLY recommended that you create a backup. If anything goes wrong, you can then restore the original image.

 

Method 1: Using Adobe Lightroom

  1. Download, install, and open Adobe Lightroom.
  2. You can add your image in one of the following ways:
    (a) If your image is on your hard drive/SSD: Click the Add icon (plus symbol) on the left panel and select the Browse option.
    (b) If your image is on an iPhone or a Canon EOS SD Mark, choose the related option from Apple iPhone and Canon EOS SD Mark III. Don’t forget to connect your device first.
  3. Select the image you want to depixelate.
  4. Click the Edit icon and zoom your image to its actual size.
  5. Click the Detail panel.
  6. Move the Sharpening slider to the right to increase the image sharpening.
  7. Similarly, move the Noise Reduction slider to the left to decrease the image’s noise level.
  8. Click File > Export.
  9. Specify a new name for your image.
  10. Select JPEG or TIFF file format (avoid other file formats).
  11. Select a higher image resolution (refer to the Higher Image Resolutions for Depixelating Images paragraph to get more hints).
  12. Click the Export button.

 

Method 2: Using GIMP (Free)

  1. Download, install, and open GIMP. It’s free!
  2. Click the File menu.
  3. Select the Open option.
  4. Choose your image and then click Open.
  5. Click the Image menu.
  6. Select the Scale Image option.
  7. In the new dialog that appears, select a higher image resolution while keeping your Aspect Ratio intact (refer to the Higher Image Resolutions for Depixelating Images paragraph for more info).
  8. Select the Sinc (Lanczos3) algorithm.
  9. Click OK.
  10. Click the Filters menu.
  11. Select the Enhance option.
  12. Select Unsharp Mask.
  13. Move the Sharpening slider to the right.
  14. Click on File > Save.
  15. Select one of the options: JPEG or TIFF (avoid other file formats).
  16. Click the Save button.

 

Higher Image Resolutions for Depixelating Images

Here are some hints for you to choose the right image resolution:

  • If your image is small to medium in size or you’re planning to share it on the Web, select at least 1000*1000 pixels resolution. It is widely used for small-to-medium-sized graphics.
  • If you’re planning to use the de-pixelated image for photo printing, you must not worry about the photo size. If your image is small, select at least 3000*3000 pixels (i.e., 300 PPI) image resolution. And go for the 6000*6000 pixels resolution for the best printing quality of medium-sized images.

Note: The actual image resolution may depend on your needs, system configurations, and storage size.

 

How Does Improving Image Sharpening and Reducing Noise Level Depixelate an Image?

Both image sharpening and noise level are critical aspects of photography and image processing. As you sharpen an image, it improves its fine and distinct details. And it defines the edges.

Similarly, when you reduce the digital noise from your image, it eliminates unnecessary variations in image intensity that may occur due to a wide variety of reasons, such as camera sensor issues, high ISO, low light, etc.