Old photographs are important to preserve our past memories. These photographic memories bring back the nostalgia of days long gone. However, in some cases, these old photographs may fade away or become smaller. Enlarging old photographs makes it easy to view them and preserve them for a longer time.

In this article, I will walk you through the process of enlarging old photographs. Here are some methods to consider:

1. Use a Scanner

A scanner is a perfect solution to enlarge your old photographs. This method is easy and straightforward. Place the old photograph, face down, on the scanner’s bed and adjust the size preference. The scanner will scan, reproduce, and enlarge the photograph as per the size preference.

The advantage of using a scanner is that it will give you a clear copy of the old photograph without any damage.

2. Use a Digital Camera

Using a digital camera is another technique to enlarge old photographs. This method may work well if the old photograph is large enough. Place the photograph on a flat surface or use a stand to hold it, and then photograph it using a digital camera.

Afterward, transfer the images to the computer and use photo editors like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP to resize the image. Be sure to adjust the resolution carefully, to avoid image distortion or blurriness.

3. Hire a Professional

If the old photograph is precious and valuable, consider hiring a professional to enlarge it. A professional photographer will have the equipment and expertise required to enlarge the old photo authentically. They use high-end equipment and printing techniques to produce a high-quality copy of your old photograph.

4. Use Online Services

The internet offers a wide range of online services to print, enlarge, and restore old photographs. Websites like Shutterfly, Vistaprint, and Snapfish offer photo enlarging services at affordable prices. They provide an easy-to-use online tool that allows you to upload the scanned image.

These online services use a technology known as interpolation to increase the image size. Interpolation involves the creation of new pixels based on the surrounding pixels that maintain the image quality.

5. DIY with Paintshop Pro

If you have Paintshop Pro on your computer, you can resize your old photographs by yourself. Open the photograph with Paintshop Pro and go to the image tab. Click on Resize, and a window will pop up showing the image size.

You can also adjust the resolution by going to the Image tab, then Resize, and Image Resolution. This method is ideal if you have a fair share of knowledge on photo editing.

Conclusion

Enlarging old photographs is a process that requires patience and care. It can be done using a scanner, digital camera, hiring a professional, online services, or Paintshop Pro. The process of enlarging old photos might not produce an exact copy, but it will preserve the memory for many years to come. Remember to take precautions like scanning, using gloves to handle the photograph, and using high-quality paper when printing to avoid damaging the old photograph.