Enhance low-resolution or blurry images with AI-powered upscaling tools in Photoshop 2026, including Adobe’s Generative Upscale and integrated third-party options like Topaz Gigapixel. Learn how these methods outperform traditional sharpening techniques by reconstructing detail rather than simply increasing contrast.
Key Insights
- Traditional Photoshop sharpening tools such as Unsharp Mask and Smart Sharpen rely on increasing contrast rather than truly restoring detail, which can result in artifacts or posterization when pushed too far.
- Photoshop 2026 introduces Generative Upscale, an AI-powered feature using Adobe Firefly that can enlarge images by 2x or 4x while preserving facial structure and enhancing clarity, particularly useful for decorative or product images.
- This AI training course highlights the integration of third-party tools like Topaz Gigapixel and Topaz Bloom within Photoshop, offering advanced options like Face Recovery and creative enhancements, though usage may be limited by Adobe's credit system.
This lesson is a preview from our Generative AI Certificate Online. Enroll in a course for detailed lessons, live instructor support, and project-based training.
This is a lesson preview only. For the full lesson, purchase the course here.
I'm going to show you another feature powered by AI: how to enlarge images while adding detail and sharpness. I’ll start by demonstrating this with image number seven. As you can see, this image isn’t very sharp, and the details are not clearly defined.
Traditionally, Photoshop offers sharpening tools under the Filter > Sharpen menu. These include Unsharp Mask and Smart Sharpen, which are the older methods for sharpening images. While they are not bad, they work by increasing contrast between pixels rather than actually restoring detail. For example, when using Unsharp Mask, increasing the amount boosts contrast, but adjusting the radius too much can introduce posterization or harsh artifacts. The threshold setting controls which pixels are affected, but overall, this approach is not ideal for restoring true detail.
Smart Sharpen offers more control, including adjustments for highlights and shadows, and can produce better results than Unsharp Mask. However, both methods still rely on contrast enhancement rather than true image reconstruction.
In Photoshop 2026, there is a newer AI-powered method called Generative Upscale. You can access it by going to Image > Generative Upscale. This feature uses Adobe Firefly to upscale images by 2x or 4x, depending on the original image size. For example, if an image is 1000 × 750 pixels, it can be upscaled to 2000 × 1500 pixels.
When you apply Generative Upscale, the process can take anywhere from one to three minutes, depending on how powerful your computer is. The result is a new document rather than a modification of the original image. While the result is noticeably sharper than the original, it can still appear slightly blurry in some areas. However, it preserves facial structure well and improves overall clarity more effectively than traditional sharpening filters.
In my opinion, this method is faster and more effective than using sharpening filters. That said, results depend on the image and its intended use. If the image features a recognizable person, even small changes can be noticeable and undesirable. However, if the image is being used for product advertising or decorative purposes,where exact facial accuracy is less critical,AI upscaling can be a great option.
Another upscaling option available within Photoshop is Topaz Gigapixel, which can be accessed through the same Generative Upscale menu. Adobe is integrating several powerful third-party tools into Photoshop, allowing users to stay within the Adobe ecosystem. These tools are not unlimited, however, and are governed by usage credits, which you can review on Adobe’s website.
When using Topaz Gigapixel, it’s important to enable Face Recovery, which significantly improves facial detail. The process takes about a minute, and the results are impressive. Comparing the before and after versions, even at over 200% zoom,you can see a substantial increase in clarity and detail while still preserving the subject’s identity.
There is also another option called Topaz Bloom, which introduces a more creative interpretation of the image. This method can significantly alter facial features, adding details such as freckles or texture. While it may not be suitable for restoration work, it works well for creative applications like advertisements, decorative images, or social media content where realism is less critical.
AI upscaling is especially useful for photographers who have slightly blurry images that need improvement. Practicing with different images will help you understand when each method works best.
Upscaling also works well for low-resolution images that are otherwise in focus. For example, an image that is 1700 × 2500 pixels may not appear blurry but still lacks sufficient resolution. Using Generative Upscale with Topaz Gigapixel allows you to increase the size while preserving detail. Keep in mind that there are resolution limits, for example, up to 9 megapixels for certain methods,so you’ll need to choose the appropriate scaling factor.
Processing time will always depend on your system’s power and Adobe’s cloud processing. Photoshop creates a new image in a separate tab, preserving the original file so you can always revert if needed.
Some AI-generated images also benefit from upscaling. Even though they are not real photographs, AI upscaling can improve texture and perceived detail. When comparing before-and-after results at high zoom levels, you’ll often see sharper hair, eyes, and facial structure, though some features,such as teeth or fine facial details,may change slightly.
Overall, AI upscaling provides a powerful way to enhance image resolution and clarity. The results are often significantly better than traditional sharpening, but it’s important to review changes carefully and choose the right method based on your goals.
In the next video, we’ll continue exploring AI tools in Photoshop and look at additional techniques for image enhancement.
