I just purchased an Epson V500 and I'm just starting with scanning my family's photo history. The B&W prints are easy, but all of the color prints have faded. Question 1: should I perform any color correction during the scan? (I use Vuescan) or do this post scan? Question 2: I figured in the interest of future processing, I would save everything as tifs. Does that sound reasonable?
Question 3: Is there any reason to scan above, say 300dpi for small prints? Most of the prints are 3.5" x 3.5".
Any other tips would be appreciated.
#1--Do your corrections post-scan. The main thing for your scan is get the most detail possible; especially in highlights and shadow.
#2--Yes. TIFF files can be saved, leaving layers intact.
#3--My rule of thumb is to scan at the highest optical resolution of my scanner and then use the scanned image to create a master file. (Don't edit the scan) From the master file I can create whatever size image I need.
I agree with Preston on the first 2, but on #3 I would suggest not going above 300dpi for print scans (definitely yes for film, though) since a print will simply not have that much information anyway and you'll end up with a large file but not necessarily more detail.
If you plan to enlarge the prints (from 3.5" square to 7" square, for example), then you'll want to double the scan resolution from 300 ppi to 600 ppi.
I think the key to your question is "family's photo history." I would assume that your intent is not to make big enlargements, but probably to preserve the family history in digital format? Perhaps building a web page or making a family DVD? I've done this quite a bit for my family stuff - including projecting 50yr old slides and taking digital images of the projection (sure beat scanning 1500 slides - or paying for it!)
Having said that, 300 dpi is certainly adequate. If you've got a lot of pictures to scan, file size may become an issue as well.
I would scan everything with your default settings on the scanner and do the color correction in post. If many of the images are of the same color quality and/or fading, etc., you might consider creating an action in PhotoShop to do image sizing and general color correction. Then create a droplet and batch process a whole bunch at a time. Cull out the ones that need special work and try and streamline the process.
Scan your pictures and save them as tifs and keep them as archived originals. Make copies to do all your editing.
I've enjoyed putting together family collages, web pages etc. Recently I took a picture with my 4x5 of an original painting of my wife's grandparents. Scanned the resulting image, worked it in Photoshop and then sent it out to have 11x14 canvas prints made for all the children. It turned out great and everyone loved getting the print.
John and Lon, thanks. Lon, you're right, this is more of a preservation project than a desire to make big prints. I'd like to keep that option open though. I appreciate the tips.
Paul
Discussion
7 repliesQuestion 3: Is there any reason to scan above, say 300dpi for small prints? Most of the prints are 3.5" x 3.5".
Any other tips would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul
#1--Do your corrections post-scan. The main thing for your scan is get the most detail possible; especially in highlights and shadow.
#2--Yes. TIFF files can be saved, leaving layers intact.
#3--My rule of thumb is to scan at the highest optical resolution of my scanner and then use the scanned image to create a master file. (Don't edit the scan) From the master file I can create whatever size image I need.
-PB
Guy
-PB
Paul
I think the key to your question is "family's photo history." I would assume that your intent is not to make big enlargements, but probably to preserve the family history in digital format? Perhaps building a web page or making a family DVD? I've done this quite a bit for my family stuff - including projecting 50yr old slides and taking digital images of the projection (sure beat scanning 1500 slides - or paying for it!)
Having said that, 300 dpi is certainly adequate. If you've got a lot of pictures to scan, file size may become an issue as well.
I would scan everything with your default settings on the scanner and do the color correction in post. If many of the images are of the same color quality and/or fading, etc., you might consider creating an action in PhotoShop to do image sizing and general color correction. Then create a droplet and batch process a whole bunch at a time. Cull out the ones that need special work and try and streamline the process.
Scan your pictures and save them as tifs and keep them as archived originals. Make copies to do all your editing.
I've enjoyed putting together family collages, web pages etc. Recently I took a picture with my 4x5 of an original painting of my wife's grandparents. Scanned the resulting image, worked it in Photoshop and then sent it out to have 11x14 canvas prints made for all the children. It turned out great and everyone loved getting the print.
Anyway, have fun with your project.
lon
Paul