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Instructions
Keep in mind the rules of proportion. When you increase 1 dimension, the opposite dimension will increase by the same percentage. Traditional photo sizes do not always align to the same proportions. If you have a 5-by-7 inch photo and want to enlarge it to fit an 8-by-10 inch frame, you will need to make some adjustments.
Determine which dimension is more important to you: the height or the width. If you enlarge the 5-inch dimension to match the 8-inch side of the frame, your 7-inch dimension will measure just more than 11 inches. You'll lose 1 inch of your image when you frame it.
Make the 7-inch dimension fit the 10-inch side of the frame and you will be left with white space on either side. This enlargement percentage makes your 5-inch dimension about 7.25 inches so you'll have about 1 inch with no image when framed.
Calculate the percentage of increase; place the photograph face down on the copier platen (glass); set the copier for "Photo" quality. Copiers that do not have this feature will provide blotchy results with over-contrasted images. Use a color copier if you want color results.
Don't be tempted to use amorphic scaling sometimes called "stretching." This type of enlargement lets you enlarge each dimension at different percentages. Although some images can be enlarged this way without too much distortion, images of people turn out with undesirable results.
Don't expect great quality from a copier or printer that prints onto plain paper. Thicker, coated stock (either glossy or matte) will provide better results. Some copiers can handle this paper; however, many cannot.
Remember, by law you may not copy any professionally taken photographs. They are protected by the copyright law. When hiring a professional, you just buy the photograph, not the right to reproduce it.