How to Scale in Photoshop Without Distorting

Is your image too small for a realtor website banner yet too big for an agent's social media profile photo? Poorly scaled images can lose quality, making them look distorted and unrealistic. 

Being a professional real estate photo editor trained me to scale images properly for various platforms. This is why I'm teaching you hacks on how to scale in Photoshop without distorting.

How to Scale in Photoshop Without Distorting

The best ways to scale images in Photoshop without distortion are to use the Free Transform tool, Image Size Adjustments, Content-Aware Scale, and the Crop tool. For the Free Transform, press CMD/CTRL + T to rescale. To set new dimensions, go to Image, click on Image Size, and input new width and height values.

A picture's size can affect a website's loading time and attract a viewer's attention. Rescaling enables you to optimize your real estate photos and headshots. Choose any of these techniques to scale your edits in Photoshop while avoiding image distortion.

Method 1: Scaling Photos Using the Free Transform Tool

The Free Transform tool is another easy way to rescale pictures in Photoshop while avoiding distortion. It enables you to work on individual layers while rescaling. In this way, you can alter an individual layer's size without affecting the overall image size.

Step 1: Convert to Smart Object

Converting the layer to a Smart Object ensures the image quality remains intact due to its non-destructive editing.

1. Go to the Layers panel and select the layer you want to edit.
2. Change the layer to a Smart Object before transforming the size. Head to Layer in the top menu bar, select Smart Objects, then click Convert to Smart Object.

Step 2: Scale the Image

The Scale function keeps a layer's proportion unchanged even though you resize it. As a result, you won't see any sign of distortion in the height-to-width proportions, even if you alter the pixel dimensions or the vertical and horizontal pixel measurements.

1. Head to the top bar and click on Edit.
2. From the drop-down menu, click on Transform, then select Scale. Alternatively, press CTRL + T (Windows) or CMD + T (Mac).
3. When the Transform tool is active, a blue border will surround the chosen layer's edge.
4. Hover the cursor over the blue border. Wait for an arrow icon to appear.
5. Click on the arrow to change the layer's size. Hold and drag to move the layer's edge until you see your preferred dimensions. The layer's size will increase or reduce as you adjust the border in or out.
6. Release the cursor to finish resizing the picture.

Method 2: Scaling Photos Using the Content-Aware Scale

Are you struggling to fill a frame without maximizing a real estate image's pixels? Using the Content-Aware Scale command is another excellent way to rescale images in Photoshop without distorting or stretching them.

Step 1: Transform and Scale

The Free Transform tool may make subjects look irregular, especially when editing headshots. In comparison, the Content-Aware Scale command enables you to scale up a photo while maintaining the original size of a particular subject.

1. Unlock the layer.
2. Navigate to Edit and select Content-Aware Scale.
3. Use the transform handles to scale the picture.
4. Press Esc once satisfied with the transformation.

Step 2: Protect Important Portions

Suppose the selection is still removing important parts. You can make further adjustments in this part using Adobe's artificial intelligence function called Adobe Sensei.

1. Select and unlock the layer.
2. Navigate to the Properties panel.
3. Go to Quick Actions.
4. Click the Select Subject button. Adobe Sensei will automatically detect the subject and make a selection around it.
5. Head to Select and click on Save Selection.
6. Input the name for the selection on the Save Selection window, then press OK. For this example, I'm using "interior bed".
7. Press CTRL + D (Windows) or CMD + D to deselect the selection.
8. Go back to Edit, then choose Content-Aware Scale.
9. On the Options bar, set the Protect to "interior bed".

When you scale the photo, you should see how the bed maintains its appearance without distortion.

Method 3: Scaling Photos Using the Image Size Adjustments

Using the Image Size function is one of the fastest methods to resize real estate photos. It is a great option for enlarging photos at a precise size without worrying about distortion. 

Step 1: Open the Image Size Dialog Box

After opening the photo, the first step is to launch the Image Size dialog box.

1. Navigate to the top menu bar, click on Image, and choose Image Size in the drop-down. You can also press Alt + CTRL + I (Windows) or Opt + CMD + I (Mac).
2. In the Image Size dialog box, you will see options for the file size, pixel dimensions, and image resolution. Change the measurement in the Dimension box.

Step 2: Change the Dimension Settings

Now, it's time to set the new width and height, along with the pixel dimensions.

3. Click on the arrow beside Dimensions. You can change the Dimension Setting to inches or centimeters from the drop-down menu.
4. Type the new dimensions into the Width and Height value boxes.
5. Tick the Constrain Proportions checkbox. This will scale the photo without altering the aspect ratio. In effect, the new size won't look stretched or distorted.
6. If distortion isn't a concern, you can uncheck the Constrain Proportions checkbox or unclick the chain icon.
7. Click OK to let Photoshop rescale the image without distortion.

Method 4: Scaling Photos Using the Crop Tool

Another way to scale pictures in Photoshop without distorting is to crop, removing content from one or more sides.

Step 1: Launch the Crop Tool

First, press the C key to open the Crop tool. Go to the drop-down menu next to the Tool Options panel. Click on W x H x Resolution instead of Original Ratio.

By default, Photoshop typically crops a picture in the same aspect ratio as the original one. This command allows you to adjust the crop setting.

Step 2: Adjust the Crop Dimensions

This is where you can make accurate adjustments by cropping.

1. Click the photo and drag the tool over the portion of the picture you intend to keep.
2. Release the cursor. Continue dragging with the mouse if you need to adjust further from one side or another.
3. If you're already satisfied with the new dimensions, double-click the cropped section or click the green Commit button.
4. Press the Esc key or click the red Cancel button to cancel the crop selection.

Related Questions

Conclusion

Use the Free Transform tool, Image Size Adjustments, Content-Aware Scale, and the Crop tool to scale pictures in Photoshop while avoiding distortion. Particular ways may better work depending on the aspect ratio or pixel dimensions you want to retain. Regardless, these features will help you resize photos while maintaining the highest image quality.