Is there a program where I can zoom (crop) a picture without losing resolution or it being distorted?

Question

Every time I crop a picture, it Starts out with 3200x2200(just hypothetical) and then by the time I am done cropping the picture I end up with something like 600x400 and the noise is aweful. I do realize in pictures like these I should have had a tripod, but what I am asking is is there a program for a perfect picture where I can crop it or zoom in on it where the image won't lose any resolution and can still print a poster sized image ?

Answer 1

No there is not. With your hypothetical picture by the time you zoom into a small section of the photo or alternatively crop by actually cutting the edges off the photo you are as you have noticed cut out most of the information that the camera recorded. You have lost most of the pixels. So when you try to blow up this photo to poster size the pixels will be too far apart and your photo is not clear.

In the example the 600x 400 pixels you have left is only about 1/30th of the information you started with.  It is no different from physically cutting most of an already printed photo off until you have just the bit you are interested in left then trying to scan that tiny bit left to view on your computer screen. You wouldn't expect it to be clear.

Now no program can replace the information  you never recorded with your camera in the first place.  This is why nature photographers or sports photographers use high powered optical zooms.  Then they can record the small section they want to view and still have all the pixels intact.

The only way to solve your problem is to get a camera with a high powered optical zoom lens and the highest number of megapixels you can find.

A camera that allows you to alter shutter speed, aperture and ISO rating can contribute to better results if you understand how they influence your photography.