Raster

The quality and detail of a raster image depend on its resolution, which is determined by the number of pixels it contains. A raster image is composed of a fixed grid of tiny colored squares called pixels. When viewed at its original size, these pixels blend together to create a smooth, sharp, and realistic image. However, enlarging a raster image beyond its original resolution causes the pixels to stretch, making them visible and reducing image quality. This results in a blurry, jagged, or pixelated appearance. Since raster graphics are resolution-dependent, they cannot be scaled indefinitely without losing clarity. Despite this limitation, raster images are the preferred choice for displaying detailed photographs, digital artwork, and images with complex color gradients, textures, and shading. They are widely used in digital photography, web design, image editing, social media, satellite imagery, and GIS applications where accurate color representation and fine visual detail are more important than scalability.