How do you know that was you, the kids and Aunt Mabel on holiday in 1981? Probably by writing on the back of the print. No problem there - until you reach for a ballpoint, felt tip marker pen, or many other nasty devices.
First, the ink can easily permeate the backing material on the print and react with the dyes that make the image. Resulting in staining and unsightly marks on the photos.
Second, the ink can take a very long time to dry. So if that print is put back in the stack the ink can be transfered onto the face of the print above it in the pile. Same result, another print spoiled.
If you must write on the back of a print (and the temptation is probably irresistable) please stick to the humble pencil. Don't reach for a biro or a marker pen.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Your scan, my scan, one scan?
I could bore for England on the subject of scanning. There are no short answers in my book when it comes to scanning.
But I struggled to know where to begin when I was asked a simple question - why is your scan different to mine? This was asked by a client, we scanned around 500 old photos last week. He was kind enough to say he liked ours better and wanted to know how he could match them should he scan his own images at home.
Well - scanner hardware varies, the image capture and light generating components all have a bearing on final scan. Then there's the software, and the intention of the tech / marketing guys who set everything up. Of course the scanner operator can over-ride the settings. Put it all together and there's an infinite variety of options available.
Here's my take. I think our bulk scanning service offers a warmer colouring than your originals may have. The Epson flatbed is noticeably colder in comparison.
The Nikons are much more objective on negatives, producing an image much closer to the data on the negative. Slide scanning is (I think) giving slightly deeper colours; Kodachromes can be very warm in comparison.
So what? Not a lot really - but please ask us to do some samples for you, using your material, then you can draw your own conclusions.
But I struggled to know where to begin when I was asked a simple question - why is your scan different to mine? This was asked by a client, we scanned around 500 old photos last week. He was kind enough to say he liked ours better and wanted to know how he could match them should he scan his own images at home.
Well - scanner hardware varies, the image capture and light generating components all have a bearing on final scan. Then there's the software, and the intention of the tech / marketing guys who set everything up. Of course the scanner operator can over-ride the settings. Put it all together and there's an infinite variety of options available.
Here's my take. I think our bulk scanning service offers a warmer colouring than your originals may have. The Epson flatbed is noticeably colder in comparison.
The Nikons are much more objective on negatives, producing an image much closer to the data on the negative. Slide scanning is (I think) giving slightly deeper colours; Kodachromes can be very warm in comparison.
So what? Not a lot really - but please ask us to do some samples for you, using your material, then you can draw your own conclusions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)