How can I make a photograph large enough for large format printing?

Question

Is there a way to make an image larger on photoshop or illustrator? I will be printing on a large format latex printer. So the printer itself is excellent but its the image that i am struggling to acquire.
I have basic knowledge of the programmes but if you could explain it to me i could figure it out.....
I am aware of rasterize and vectors, but please  could you explain how they work, and if that is my solution.
I want to keep the original photograph as realistic as possible (would prefer not to have it traced on illustrator) and from research it says simply increasing the image size amount of pixels on photoshop does not help...perhaps it does, if you know please help!
This will be a print for an interior wall of an exhibition trailer, and we want to cover all the walls. Plus in future we will be printing for vehicle wraps so I need this knowledge! Help me

Answer 1

Let e try to explain briefly...
"Is there a way to make an image larger on photoshop or illustrator? I will be printing on a large format latex printer. So the printer itself is excellent but its the image that i am struggling to acquire.
- The actual resolution necessary to print grand format depends on the printer.  Most of the large-to-grand format inkjets print at 600dpi.  Photoshop is the better application for sizig images, while Illustrator is the better application for sizing graphics ( ie., logos ) and type.  Use Illustrator to layout both the images and the graphics.  You typically would send the print vendor an appropriate PDF file ( that can be scaled ).
I have basic knowledge of the programmes but if you could explain it to me i could figure it out.....
I am aware of rasterize and vectors, but please  could you explain how they work, and if that is my solution.
I want to keep the original photograph as realistic as possible (would prefer not to have it traced on illustrator) and from research it says simply increasing the image size amount of pixels on photoshop does not help...perhaps it does, if you know please help!
- You most certainly can use photographs in large format.  The problem is you will have to setup the file scaled down.  In some cases, the output will have to be assembled in sections.  Let's take a section of 10 feet high x 36 feet long.  You'd setup your Illustrator file 2.5 feet high x 9 feet long ( 25% ) or 30 inch x 108 inch to be enlarged at the printer 400%.  Each time you enlarge an image 2x you cut its resolution in half.  So, an image starting at 300ppi will end up at 75ppi.  So, your image file would need to be 300ppi at 25%. 75ppi sounds low, right?  In actuality, it is enough to print grand format and the image appears smooth. Now the question becomes, how do I get an image large enough in Photoshop?  Remember, you'll need a 30" x 108" image plus bleed at 300ppi ( Placed in Illustrator at 100% ).  There are applications like Genuine Fractals or Image Doctor's "Blowup" which will enlarge an image file without degradation.  I use Genuine Fractals and the results are phenominal.
This will be a print for an interior wall of an exhibition trailer, and we want to cover all the walls. Plus in future we will be printing for vehicle wraps so I need this knowledge! Help me "
- It'll become easier as you do more of this type of work.  The amount you end up scaling is up to you.  There are limitations as to how big a document can be in Illustrator.  I like 25% because it is similar to working on a print ad that is high resolution.  Another thing to remember is set your raster effects to High in Illustrator.  They will be retained in the PDF which will be enlarged 400% and the ending raster effects will be 75ppi just like the image.  Also, feel free to contact the print vendor and ask them questions.  You could send them what I've written here and see if they agree.  Let me know if you have any further questions.