Digital BW, The Print

> From: Ted Shaw
>
> I'm looking for advice on a program called Genuine Fractals - I
> think Paul Roark mentioned it a while back. It is supposed to
> provide a method of enlarging photos without losing quality,
> regardless of resolution.

Unlike other resizing algorithms, which are linear, GF plays some tricks in
order to artificially preserve edge sharpness. This works well for actual
edges, but is confused by fine detail that doesn't really consist of edges.
For an example of what GF looks like in comparison to Photoshop's
conventional bicubic interpolation, when cranked up to an extreme level, see
http://www.pbase.com/pderocco/image/36593399 and the following image. Be
sure to view at "Original" size. You can see how it tries to interpret the
detail in the bushes as edges.

Of course, this is an exaggerated use (10x magnification, I think), intended
to expose what the program is trying to do. In more moderate use, it can
work pretty well, but I'm not sure it's worth the price, at least for normal
photography.

--

Ciao,               Paul D. DeRocco
Paul                mailto:pderocco@...