Picture size info please (Updated Complete!)

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

I have a pic I'd like to have made poster sized (24" x 36") or so. Any help on what the specs of the original photo would need to be to get to that size with good quality?

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

I came across some straight forward info regarding this. The new problem is that my pic is not suitable for a print that large, so now I'm needing info on time travel...

[GoMachV]

Sorry thumbs, but you can’t make something that’s 3” look like 12”

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

I know, I've tried!

[klavy69]

Sorry thumbs, but you can’t make something that’s 3” look like 12”

Some info on that in American Pie 2 I believe...

[Jools]

Well. For commercial printing, say, for quality magazines, you need 300dpi at actual size for an A4 page, (that's 210mmx297mm).
Typically that'll be something like a 30-40mb file, (- there are some variables, and a lot of people nowadays flout the rules for 'best practise').

What size original are you working from -e.g. physical dimensions and resolution? The original size, both dimensional and dpi controls how much you can enlarge without it pixillating and looking crappy!
You can't get a silk purse out of a sow's ear... or a quart out of a pint pot.
If your original is a typical shot from a digital camera or phone, depending on your shooting settings, it might be something like a 2-3mb image, you'll be really scratching to get a HIGH QUALITY poster size image out of that. You can do it (the subject matter makes a difference). But if you know someone with Photoshop or similar, you can often use a few tricks to re-sample the original image and re-size it.
I've successfully enlarged 2mb images to A3 poster size (420x297) for an 'atmospheric shot -say, a car at speed, -I've used Photoshop techniques to make it work. But if it were a 'pin-sharp' studio shot, no way.

Just remember, the number of pixels per inch is the key. Simplifying it, if you enlarge a photo, doubling the linear dimensions, you halve the linear pixels resolution, ultimately producing 'pixillation' whereby you SEE the ugly square pixels instead of it appearing smoothly gradated.

(I could go on!!!)

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Thanks for the info! Below is the only info I have as far as specs. Luckily we have a great Graphics department at work. They help me out a lot with little side projects. I'm going to see what they can do with it. They have a lot of tricks and equipment at their disposal.

[Incredible_Serious]

Thanks for the info! Below is the only info I have as far as specs. Luckily we have a great Graphics department at work. They help me out a lot with little side projects. I'm going to see what they can do with it. They have a lot of tricks and equipment at their disposal.

You're going to take a photo that you took into work to be worked on? Aren't you worried the content will get you sacked????

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

They're used to it. I make them sign a waiver.

[Incredible_Serious]

They're used to it. I make them sign a waiver.

You waiving at farmers again?

[RC10th]

Damn, Alex beat me to the Farmer jokes.....

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Our graphics department was able to stretch it to 16x20 before it blew apart. I wanted it for my office. My first smoker!

[Diamond Dave]

That was not what I expected to see, but so worth it! Good on ya man, well worth preserving that memory.

[Jools]

Tha's a beauty!
Looks like the device I use to burn out old gummed up 2-stroke exhausts with.