Tips for Effective Photo Scanning
July 24, 2009
Scanning is one of the effective ways to store your photos for future use. The following scanning tips will guide you all through your scanning.
Adjust the scanner settings
The default values of a scanner setting menu will offer enhanced results, but for better output, you can adjust the settings of the software. In order to get perfect scanning you can adjust the various attributes like output type, sharpening, resolution, exposure and colour. For instance, the faded pictures can be restored by sharpening the scan from low to acute.
Use pre-scanning
Before the scanning process, you can edit and adjust the images accordingly. The scanner displays the rough version on the screen by passing the images. This is made possible by choosing Pre-scan or Show Preview or any other option relevant to the function. With this option, you can see if the scan is straight or free from dust and can make last minute changes and improvement before scanning.
Customize scanner button shortcuts
The user can customise the scanner shortcut menus, which allow you to handle the functions better. Many scanners come with one touch scanner shortcuts, which simplify your work. With a touch of a button, you can scan, save, reprint or copy the documents. With regard to the frequently used scan settings, customise the shortcut buttons accordingly.
Select the right resolution
Scanner resolution is normally calculated as dots per inch (dpi) and the greater the dots, sharper the image. Setting the resolution will allow you to use the images in different ways. For instance, resolution of 75-100 dpi is used for sharing through the e-mail or posting to the Web. Resolution of 300dpi is used for Printing or archiving and resolution of over 300 dpi is used for slides, negatives or prints larger than 5″ x 7″ or enlargements.
Choose the right file formats
After scanning, you can save images in different formats. Saving the files in the right formats depends upon how you use the image. However, you should remember that one can’t produce a high-quality TIFF image from a JPEG format, but can save a copy of TIFF file as a JPEG. When you are posting or e-mailing the images online, you can save it as a JPEG. Doing so, the size of the file is compressed which will reduce download times. Though the quality of the images is lost when you save it as JPEG, it is barely noticeable. Saving in TIFF format is ideal, if you are printing the image and if you are unsure of how you will save it in future. Maximum flexibility is offered as the detailing and colour information is retained.
Scan more photos at the same time
You can save time by scanning more photos at once and most scanners are capable of scanning four 4″ x 6″ photos at one stretch. All you have to do is, set up the pictures in the scanning device, but make sure to space the pictures in such a manner that a 0.25 inches (6 mm) of space is left in between.
Crop your photos
You can take the best part of the photo and crop the rest and doing so, will save hard drive space. The scanner is capable of preview, which allows scanning of the required parts, instead of scanning the whole thing. Otherwise, you can scan the complete thing and then crop size by using image editing software.
Flip photos before scan
Scan the photos according to which you will use the photos, that is, either horizontally or vertically. Once you finish your scanning, the photos can be flipped using image-editing program, but in some cases the image quality is poor.
Scanning slides and negatives
By scanning negatives and slides, you can convert them into easy-to-store digital files. Depending upon your scanning device, the number of slides and negative frames varies. With the scanning software, you can effectively remove dust, red eye, scratches and even restore faded colour. It automatically increases the colour in darker areas. After that you can directly record your photo files to the disc.
Auto correct photos-or not
Some scanners can automatically correct the pictures and restore faded colours; however, these can be corrected manually as well. You can turn picture correction on or off, select auto correct photos and then select the options you want to.
Introduce such scanning techniques when you scan and you can get perfect scanning experience.
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How To Scan Pictures
October 27, 2007
As image technology improves, the smelly darkroom has become a thing of the past. In the world of modern photography you can scan your pictures with a good scanner and buying one is one of the first steps you can take. If you have heap of snaps, you can scan them onto your computer and go digital in less time.
Some tricky steps to follow while scanning your pictures
• First, all you have to do is to blow the dust from your scanner and printing area with canned air. The scanner bed and underside of the document lid with a damp must be cleaned before scanning.
• Get your computer and scanner on and connect them correctly.
• Lay the picture to be scanned level to the ground on the glass. Use the guides that are located along the edges of the scanning bed and square up the photo. After this process, close the lid of the scanner bed.
• If you plan to display the scanned image at larger-than-life size, then go for a higher dpi (dot per inch). Otherwise, you can select lower resolution.
• Now you can click the scan button on your computer’s scanning software window.
• You can get a quick look of the scanned image up on your computer monitor; it might ensue mechanically depending on your software settings.
• The system will help you to correct minute defects such as red-eye in the image.
• Accept the scan and save it to your hard drive. Do not forget to put your picture away.
Important tips to be kept in mind
The most important thing to remember before scanning is to clean and remove and dust, hair or fingerprints from the surface of the picture. The compression factor of JPEG files can compress the image to a smaller size for easiness of storage. If this factor is higher, the picture quality will suffer. TIFF does not have this feature but their file size can be 10 or more times bigger than JPEGs.
Always take special care for your scanner as it is a delicate device and dust can do harm to your scanner. Always keep it dust free.
BUYING TIPS FOR SCANNER
October 22, 2007
A scanner is an essential device in most of the offices today. It is the basic peripheral for PC users especially for publishing and imaging professionals to e-mail photos to anyone. The key purpose of this device is that it converts a hardcopy document into digital form. To choose a scanner, one should know about the basic functionalities of the device including the quality, output, speed and software equipments. Most of the scanners available nowadays have the advanced features like 4800 dpi (dots per inch) resolution, transparency adapters and USB 2.0 connections.
Key Features:
Optical Resolution: While buying a scanner, one should know about the resolution offered by the device. Dots per inch, shortly known as dpi are used to measure the resolution. 300 dpi is the standard resolution for capturing texts using optical character recognition. You can also scan larger images with a size of 8 x 10 inches at a very high resolution. But a 4 x 6 photo, 2400 DPI can consume a very large amount of space in the hard disk taking excess of time.
Transparency Adapter: A transparency adapter is required for scanning slides or films. A light source that shines through the film is generally detained in place with a template. These transparency adapters are built into a scanner’s lid as detached sections that plug in and sit on the scanner’s glass. A separate TA (transparency adapter) allows keeping the lid thin or incorporates an automatic document feeder into the lid. Transparency templates are of different sizes, the smallest holding only one slide, many others sized for three slides or a 6 Inch long filmstrip.
Automatic Document Feeder: This is helpful to handle high volume optical character recognition or for scanning pages that is much longer than a flatbed scanning surface. Typically ADF is used to replace the scanner’s lid. Epson, Microtek and HP offer aftermarket ADF for some of their models.
Interface: Scanners come with a USB 2.0 interfaces, which is backward compatible with the USB 1.1 connections. Some scanners also offer a fire-wire connection.
Colour Depth: The amount of colour and grey scale data, a scanner can recognise and save is the colour depth that is measured in Bits per Pixel. A scanner can save more data than its driver can save, so a qualifier appended to the bit-depth spec such as 48- bit internal or hardware colour describes how much data the scanner drive can save. Generally the 24 Bit external colour depth is sufficient.
Sensor Technology: A Charge Coupled Device CCD or a Contact Image Sensor CIS are the two types of sensor technology the flatbed scanners have. The CIS is the latest scanning technology, but they produce a slightly lower quality scanned images. They are much smaller and use very little power when compared to the CCD based scanners. The CIS can be easily powered with a USB cable.
Scanner Types: The prominent ones in use today are the flatbed scanners, called so as the scanning surface is flat. Other than the flatbed scanners there are sheet-fed scanners, handheld scanners, film scanners and multi-function peripherals that incorporate a printer, scanner and FAX machine in one device. Sheet-fed scanners are no longer popular as they are less versatile and work best for individual text pages. As the document slides in through a feeder, as in the case of a Fax machine, photographs emerge bent and books cannot be crammed into it either.
Software: To resize or crop the image, adjust the brightness and contrast or reduce the red-eye effect of the photography. Most scanners are equipped with the simplified versions of image-editing software that can touch up the imperfections or optimise the files for e-mailing and printing. Higher end scanner model includes the Adobe Photoshop for an extensive image manipulation. Many scanners are also equipped with Optical Scanner Recognition allowing one to scan a printed document and convert it to text.
The specs explained: The more advanced the technology, the higher is the price and better the components. When checking the resolution figures, the lower of the two numbers indicate how many dots the scanner can capture in each linear inch of the scan head, called the Optical resolution. The larger number is the number of ‘lines’ the head captures as it scans each inch of the photo or document.
On high-end scanners, a specification for Dynamic Range or Dmax specifies the sensitivity of the device in rendering the lightest and darkest colours and shades of an image. Dmax is a logarithmic system, so a scanner with a reading of 3.6 or 4.2 rating has a better range than the 3.2 Dmax rated system, which is quite good.
Scanner Shopping tips:
• The common model that is easy to use is the Flatbed model.
• Handheld ones are ideal for students and lawyers, as they have to scan short-text messages frequently. They are a bit expensive, but it is cost effective as most of the libraries do not allow taking their books outside the premises when copying is required.
• Lookout for a minimum of 2400 DPI optical resolution.
• Check for the PC’s USB port. Scanners can be connected to the PC with a USB port. If the PC is more than a couple of years old, then it’s likely to have a USB 1.1 Port. The current scanner modes have a USB with 2.0 ports, the connectivity providing a speedier and faster transfer. To use the USB with 2.0 at its optimum, either purchase a new one with 2.0 ports or install a USB 2.0 port in the prevailing PC.
• For businessmen and others who do high-volume or specialty scanning, advanced options like automatic document feeders, transparency adapters and a scan bed, large enough for legal-size documents can make quite a difference. Legal-size scan beds are ideal for scanning large illustrations, diagrams, paintings and labels (like that on product boxes), as well as tabloid-size pages.
Whatever the reason is for buying a scanner, options at economic prices are varied. There are different kinds of scanners in the market offering range of features. So when you plan to purchase one, carefully have a look at all the features and get the best for you.
