Printing iphone 3mb files to 36x48"

[dgberg]

There is a thread on post processing here on LuLU that I responded to and thought some might be interested here.
Years ago I turned down just about all iPhone printing except for the smaller ones. The absolute minimum file size at the time was 1mb per 1 sq. ft. of print which isn't much.
Today using Ai Gigapixel and On1's Perfect resize you can throw those restrictions out the window. We are receiving more and more iPhone shots to print and some want them really large.
Presently printing 6 - 36x48 canvas on our s80600 solvent and the results are amazing. None of these images was larger than 3mb. Processed in Ai Gigapixel and printed through our Onyx rip at 150ppi.
2 are right on the edge but when viewed at half the proper viewing distance they are sharp as a tack.

Here is another example I printed (World Series) and pressed on a 20x30 Chromalux metal for a workshop. It was a 137kb file we pulled off the internet (So not for sale)
This was processed in Perfect Resize and printed at 360ppi. Again it looks pretty darn good.
The moral to the story here is reducing your images to 72dpi for social media viewing is not safe if you want to protect them.
If you have images you sell but still want to show everyone on social media you have to be a little more careful than in the past.

[Richard.Wills]

Gigapixel does a ridiculously good job.  800px width images to 1000mm width. Photographer/artist had applied filters in some app, and only had 150kb files. I was sure it would fail, but it was like Gigapixel had a firm understanding of the effects the filters were designed for.

The moment someone can see (online, in person) and capture an image, control of the image is almost gone.
Flip side is that when someone has precious photos that only exist on instagram, we can make prints for them.

[JCD]

I wouldn’t print iPhone enlargements at all until I started using Topaz Photo Ai. I don’t believe in revolutionary photo software, but this is revolutionary for all kinds of things especially upsizing. I print lots of 20x30 and larger exhibition quality work on fine papers all the time now, even old 12 mp iPhones. This version handles noise, sharpness and upsizing in one step and synchronizes them all.

Gigapixel does a ridiculously good job.  800px width images to 1000mm width. Photographer/artist had applied filters in some app, and only had 150kb files. I was sure it would fail, but it was like Gigapixel had a firm understanding of the effects the filters were designed for.

The moment someone can see (online, in person) and capture an image, control of the image is almost gone.
Flip side is that when someone has precious photos that only exist on instagram, we can make prints for them.

[routlaw]

I've never used either of these software packages but might have to reconsider. However using my iPhone 13 Pro in RAW mode I have been able to output amazing print quality for what it is but would never have thought to upsize to the sizes you are referring to here. 12x18 is about as large as I have gone with excellent results.

Thanks

www.roboutlawphotography.com

[dgberg]

If only I could get more people to shoot raw with their phones but it just doesn't happen. Most are not considering printing and know nothing about Raw.

[Jonathan Cross]

If only I could get more people to shoot raw with their phones but it just doesn't happen. Most are not considering printing and know nothing about Raw.

Agreed re RAW.  Very happy with 18"x12" at 300dpi from iPhone 12pro, using just LR with super resolution. Very happy with close ups of insects and moths.  An example is a Dor beetle about 18mm (0.7") front to back. It had interesting red antenna.  No need for macro lens.

No good for bigger wild life though, when I use a 40MP Fuji X-T5 with 100-400 lens.

Best wishes,

Jonathan