Lightroom Super Resolution

**cooks333** · 06-19-2021, 03:45 PM - **4 Likes**

I'm always looking for resources/tools to help improve my post-processing and just came across this YouTube video about a new Lightroom feature called Super Resolution. The short description is that with a couple of clicks Lightroom will use AI/machine learning algorithms to double the pixel width and height of a DNG image. That translates to a 4x boost in the total number of pixels. As explained in the video, a great application for this would be taking a heavily cropped photo and boosting the resolution to make larger prints or display in online venues where you need more pixels.

Well this all seemed like magic to me. I mean, come on, you can't just create pixels out of thin air without some kind of cost or tradeoff, right? Right?!?!

So I dug up some heavily cropped images from my K1-ii + D-FA* 50mm to give it a try for myself. The test images are shown below with links to my Flickr where you can download the full-sized originals. Compare those to the enhanced versions, which are in this album. In short, I am blown away and the magic seems to be real! When I compare side by side, the enhanced versions look noticeably better without any negative consequences. Curious if anyone else has given this feature a try. What was your experience? Are there any images where Super Resolution introduced some weird artifact or performed poorly in some other way?

Hummingbird

Diamondback

Lovebirds

Paul the Sunman · 06-19-2021, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by cooks333

... with a couple of clicks Lightroom will use AI/machine learning algorithms to double the pixel width and height of a DNG image.

So, does it edit the Raw file?! Or does it save as a new PSD or other format? My LR subscription has lapsed, so I can't try it myself unfortunately.

vonBaloney · 06-19-2021, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by cooks333

Are there any images where Super Resolution introduced some weird artifact or performed poorly in some other way?

In some cases, probably yes -- always give the result a good looking over. I don't have too much experience with the Adobe version of this since so far Topaz Gigapixel works even better, and we only ever need to blow things up that we are preparing for printing. Topaz Sharpen AI is even more magical as it can save slightly out-of-focus shots and shots with some movement where you want it crisp. I am finding these programs quite wonderful as pictures I took years ago where I didn't quite nail it now can be rendered good enough to do something with.

**cooks333** · 06-19-2021, 04:21 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

So, does it edit the Raw file?! Or does it save as a new PSD or other format? My LR subscription has lapsed, so I can't try it myself unfortunately.

It creates a new copy of the raw file (DNG) that you can stack with the original in LR, so I think it's editing the raw file. Not sure if it works with other raw file types since I exclusively use DNG.

**jatrax** · 06-19-2021, 04:47 PM

So where is this located in Lightroom? Just looked and don't see it.

**cooks333** · 06-19-2021, 04:49 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by jatrax

So where is this located in Lightroom? Just looked and don't see it.

Right click an image and choose "Enhance". You'll get a pop up and you should see it in there.

**AggieDad** · 06-19-2021, 04:57 PM - **1 Like**

I looked at this "magic" in Adobe Camera Raw (same process) along with a similar AI process in Pixelmator (a Mac-only app) in this thread. The post shows an enhanced pixel image with several 1000px x 1000px images.

I find the process great for crops and also larger prints.

**jatrax** · 06-19-2021, 05:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by cooks333

Right click an image and choose "Enhance". You'll get a pop up and you should see it in there.

Got it! Thanks.

**ramseybuckeye** · 06-19-2021, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by cooks333

I'm always looking for resources/tools to help improve my post-processing and just came across this YouTube video about a new Lightroom feature called Super Resolution. The short description is that with a couple of clicks Lightroom will use AI/machine learning algorithms to double the pixel width and height of a DNG image. That translates to a 4x boost in the total number of pixels. As explained in the video, a great application for this would be taking a heavily cropped photo and boosting the resolution to make larger prints or display in online venues where you need more pixels.

Well this all seemed like magic to me. I mean, come on, you can't just create pixels out of thin air without some kind of cost or tradeoff, right? Right?!?!

So I dug up some heavily cropped images from my K1-ii + D-FA* 50mm to give it a try for myself. The test images are shown below with links to my Flickr where you can download the full-sized originals. Compare those to the enhanced versions, which are in this album. In short, I am blown away and the magic seems to be real! When I compare side by side, the enhanced versions look noticeably better without any negative consequences. Curious if anyone else has given this feature a try. What was your experience? Are there any images where Super Resolution introduced some weird artifact or performed poorly in some other way?

Thanks for the tip, did not know this existed, probably should read some of the updates when Adobe sends them out.

**DWS1** · 06-19-2021, 05:25 PM

This is nothing new. I had an editing program 20 years ago that would create new pixels and assign a color value to them based on the average of the pixels' values that would surround the new pixels at the insertion point. They just didn't call it AI.

**cooks333** · 06-19-2021, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by DWS1

This is nothing new. I had an editing program 20 years ago that would create new pixels and assign a color value to them based on the average of the pixels' values that would surround the new pixels at the insertion point. They just didn't call it AI.

Did it work?

**Bob 256** · 06-19-2021, 07:18 PM - **2 Likes**

Same rules apply; you can't create new information from a limited amount and adding details requires more information. You can increase the number of pixels, and you can enhance edges to fool the eye or restore some of the sharpness lost due to resampling (improve the modulation transfer curve), but no new information (i.e. details) beyond those of the original. This doesn't say, you can't make the image look better, but if you want to crop in further, you may need more pixels to begin with. AI just means that the program should be doing a better job (relative to not using the program or possibly using less advanced programs) at enhancing details based on what is there. Image sharpening is a nice feature to have though.

vonBaloney · 06-19-2021, 07:58 PM - **1 Like**

These new neural network based algorithms (that's why they call them AI) actually *do* add information, but of course it is guessing at what that should be. Previous methods of upsampling do turn out pretty well if done by a skilled person, but these new ones do a better job at avoiding any sort of "digital zoom" look and allow you to go bigger than before.

stevebrot · 06-19-2021, 07:58 PM

Super Resolution is a misnomer. It is upsampling using other than the usual algorithms. No data are created and the extra pixels are purely synthetic.

Steve

vonBaloney · 06-19-2021, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Super Resolution is a misnomer. It is upsampling using other than the usual algorithms. No data are created and the extra pixels are purely synthetic.

More accurate might be that synthetic data is created. And although I'm not sure what the Adobe version is doing exactly, in theory something like this might not just add new pixels (which implies some are original and some are added) but replace/regenerate all pixels with 2x as many (so there are no "original" pixels left).

06-19-2021, 03:45 PM - 4 Likes	#1
cooks333 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 503	Lightroom Super Resolution I'm always looking for resources/tools to help improve my post-processing and just came across this YouTube video about a new Lightroom feature called Super Resolution. The short description is that with a couple of clicks Lightroom will use AI/machine learning algorithms to double the pixel width and height of a DNG image. That translates to a 4x boost in the total number of pixels. As explained in the video, a great application for this would be taking a heavily cropped photo and boosting the resolution to make larger prints or display in online venues where you need more pixels. Well this all seemed like magic to me. I mean, come on, you can't just create pixels out of thin air without some kind of cost or tradeoff, right? Right?!?! So I dug up some heavily cropped images from my K1-ii + D-FA* 50mm to give it a try for myself. The test images are shown below with links to my Flickr where you can download the full-sized originals. Compare those to the enhanced versions, which are in this album. In short, I am blown away and the magic seems to be real! When I compare side by side, the enhanced versions look noticeably better without any negative consequences. Curious if anyone else has given this feature a try. What was your experience? Are there any images where Super Resolution introduced some weird artifact or performed poorly in some other way? Hummingbird Diamondback Lovebirds

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06-19-2021, 04:07 PM	#2
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Originally posted by cooks333 ... with a couple of clicks Lightroom will use AI/machine learning algorithms to double the pixel width and height of a DNG image. So, does it edit the Raw file?! Or does it save as a new PSD or other format? My LR subscription has lapsed, so I can't try it myself unfortunately.

06-19-2021, 04:09 PM	#3
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by cooks333 Are there any images where Super Resolution introduced some weird artifact or performed poorly in some other way? In some cases, probably yes -- always give the result a good looking over. I don't have too much experience with the Adobe version of this since so far Topaz Gigapixel works even better, and we only ever need to blow things up that we are preparing for printing. Topaz Sharpen AI is even more magical as it can save slightly out-of-focus shots and shots with some movement where you want it crisp. I am finding these programs quite wonderful as pictures I took years ago where I didn't quite nail it now can be rendered good enough to do something with.

06-19-2021, 04:21 PM - 1 Like	#4
cooks333 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 503 Original Poster	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman So, does it edit the Raw file?! Or does it save as a new PSD or other format? My LR subscription has lapsed, so I can't try it myself unfortunately. It creates a new copy of the raw file (DNG) that you can stack with the original in LR, so I think it's editing the raw file. Not sure if it works with other raw file types since I exclusively use DNG.

06-19-2021, 04:47 PM	#5
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	So where is this located in Lightroom? Just looked and don't see it.

06-19-2021, 04:49 PM - 2 Likes	#6
cooks333 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 503 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax So where is this located in Lightroom? Just looked and don't see it. Right click an image and choose "Enhance". You'll get a pop up and you should see it in there.

06-19-2021, 04:57 PM - 1 Like	#7
AggieDad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,453	I looked at this "magic" in Adobe Camera Raw (same process) along with a similar AI process in Pixelmator (a Mac-only app) in this thread. The post shows an enhanced pixel image with several 1000px x 1000px images. I find the process great for crops and also larger prints.

06-19-2021, 05:03 PM - 1 Like	#8
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by cooks333 Right click an image and choose "Enhance". You'll get a pop up and you should see it in there. Got it! Thanks.

06-19-2021, 05:23 PM	#9
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Originally posted by cooks333 I'm always looking for resources/tools to help improve my post-processing and just came across this YouTube video about a new Lightroom feature called Super Resolution. The short description is that with a couple of clicks Lightroom will use AI/machine learning algorithms to double the pixel width and height of a DNG image. That translates to a 4x boost in the total number of pixels. As explained in the video, a great application for this would be taking a heavily cropped photo and boosting the resolution to make larger prints or display in online venues where you need more pixels. Well this all seemed like magic to me. I mean, come on, you can't just create pixels out of thin air without some kind of cost or tradeoff, right? Right?!?! So I dug up some heavily cropped images from my K1-ii + D-FA* 50mm to give it a try for myself. The test images are shown below with links to my Flickr where you can download the full-sized originals. Compare those to the enhanced versions, which are in this album. In short, I am blown away and the magic seems to be real! When I compare side by side, the enhanced versions look noticeably better without any negative consequences. Curious if anyone else has given this feature a try. What was your experience? Are there any images where Super Resolution introduced some weird artifact or performed poorly in some other way? Thanks for the tip, did not know this existed, probably should read some of the updates when Adobe sends them out.

06-19-2021, 05:25 PM	#10
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	This is nothing new. I had an editing program 20 years ago that would create new pixels and assign a color value to them based on the average of the pixels' values that would surround the new pixels at the insertion point. They just didn't call it AI.

06-19-2021, 05:57 PM	#11
cooks333 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 503 Original Poster	Originally posted by DWS1 This is nothing new. I had an editing program 20 years ago that would create new pixels and assign a color value to them based on the average of the pixels' values that would surround the new pixels at the insertion point. They just didn't call it AI. Did it work?

06-19-2021, 07:18 PM - 2 Likes	#12
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	Same rules apply; you can't create new information from a limited amount and adding details requires more information. You can increase the number of pixels, and you can enhance edges to fool the eye or restore some of the sharpness lost due to resampling (improve the modulation transfer curve), but no new information (i.e. details) beyond those of the original. This doesn't say, you can't make the image look better, but if you want to crop in further, you may need more pixels to begin with. AI just means that the program should be doing a better job (relative to not using the program or possibly using less advanced programs) at enhancing details based on what is there. Image sharpening is a nice feature to have though.

06-19-2021, 07:58 PM - 1 Like	#13
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	These new neural network based algorithms (that's why they call them AI) actually do add information, but of course it is guessing at what that should be. Previous methods of upsampling do turn out pretty well if done by a skilled person, but these new ones do a better job at avoiding any sort of "digital zoom" look and allow you to go bigger than before.

06-19-2021, 07:58 PM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Super Resolution is a misnomer. It is upsampling using other than the usual algorithms. No data are created and the extra pixels are purely synthetic. Steve

06-19-2021, 08:06 PM	#15
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by stevebrot Super Resolution is a misnomer. It is upsampling using other than the usual algorithms. No data are created and the extra pixels are purely synthetic. More accurate might be that synthetic data is created. And although I'm not sure what the Adobe version is doing exactly, in theory something like this might not just add new pixels (which implies some are original and some are added) but replace/regenerate all pixels with 2x as many (so there are no "original" pixels left).