Pixel (px)

[ Blog ] Pixel

Why do pictures become blurred when enlarged? What does the pixel term have to do with it and why is it spoken of resolution when it comes to image quality?

When we look at our reptile photo, we immediately notice its scales. These scales are of different sizes. If one looks at the sharp areas of the picture, further information is involved: the scales have different shapes (e.g. mouth area) and colors or color nuances.

This information is put together like in a (even) image grid.

Pixels act like our scales. Only together do they become an image, they become the skin of our reptile. If there is enough to expose a moment for our focus, we see the skin sharply. If we want to enlarge an image that has reached its 100% size due to the resolution (size) defined by the creator, we run the risk of generating blurring for the selected image. The skin is stretched, distorted, its truth is misused. Example: a 400 x 250 px (pixel) picture should be enlarged to 1064 x 665 px. Suddenly we see – as in the background of our reptile – signposts and hints of a moment.

So some pictures stay small. In the digital sector, large images are often web-optimized and scaled down. Unfortunately, making a small picture large is Sisyphean work and you usually go in search of an adequate subject with a meaningful resolution.

Note: The reason for the different sharpness of our picture is related to the setting of the camera (lens / lens) when taking the picture. This creates dimensions in our photo.

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