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12/21/2007 04:32:03 PM · #1 |
My dad gave me about a dozen photos (3x5, 4x6) that he wants me to enlarge to 8x10 and retouch. I've attempted to scan them in at a high-resolution, but the scanners we have access to aren't all that great. Mainly an HP OfficeJet, which made a 275mb file, with enough dust spots to choke a horse.
The only alternative, as I see it, is to try and reproduce the photos by shooting them with my 30D. Does anyone have some suggestions on how I might best accomplish this? I imagine I'll have to mount them on a posterboard, and do some fairly complicated alignment to make sure they are level and even with the sensor-plane.
What about lighting? It seems to me that flashes would produce the "truest" light, but I'd think reflections would be a nightmare. Is this really not so much of a problem, or should I try to find a well-lit room and do it there?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
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12/21/2007 04:43:56 PM · #2 |
I shoot paintings for artists who want to sell notecards and advertise online.
Admittedly, I've only done it for 4 people, but they've been quite happy.
I just eyeball the alignment in the viewfinder. Get familiar with how rectangles become trapezoids when different parts tip away or toward the camera and adjust until all four sides parallel the viewfinder edges. If you use a zoom lens instead of a prime, it's easier to fill the frame with the subject photo. For minimum distortion and maximum edge-to-edge sharpness, stay in the middle of a zoom's range and shoot 2-3 stops below wide open. Use the timer or a remote and the mirror lock-up mode to minimize vibration.
Lighting doesn't seem to matter so much - I just shoot a piece of white paper in the frame and shoot in RAW so I can easily adjust white balance later. So zoom out a bit to show that paper.
If Bear_Music comes in here, he'll tell you the "pro" way to do it, and I'm sure what he says will yield very very very high quality results. But as I said, I'm getting good results without a whole lot of effort, and you're still talking relatively small prints, not wall-sized blowups.
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12/21/2007 05:00:23 PM · #3 |
A (clean) scanner should be better than reshooting, but if you want to, there are two important things to do: make sure the sensor plan and the art are exactly parallel and centered, and use lighting from two sides, with the lights at a 30-45° angle to the art to provide even, glare-free lighting.
Make sure you use a white card to get the color balance correct for the lights you use.
The "proper tool" for this is called a copy stand -- it looks like a photo enlarger with the camera at the top and the art flat on the base/table.
Message edited by author 2007-12-21 17:02:37. |
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12/21/2007 05:18:03 PM · #4 |
| Reproduction Photography <<-- I had a completely different interpretation of this topic. Imagine my disappointment. ;-) |
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12/21/2007 08:49:11 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Reproduction Photography <<-- I had a completely different interpretation of this topic. Imagine my disappointment. ;-) |
Sorry to dash your hopes, Art. I'm sure that version would have been much more interesting than my silly technical questions ;-)
Thank you  GeneralE and  levyj413, your input is very much appreciated! The idea of having to shoot it with the camera sounds a bit less daunting now. And I'm in full agreement, General, that a clean scanner would be easier all around - but I don't think this one comes apart for cleaning.
I tried scanning a second photo in the middle of the scan-bed, away from the dirty edges. If it looks better, I'll try to go that route. Otherwise, I'll be trying to assemble a homemade copy stand.
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12/21/2007 08:56:53 PM · #6 |
onOne Fractals is a PS plugin that will enlarge pix. It may be worth getting. I have it and really love it.
Here's the link.
Message edited by author 2007-12-21 20:59:56.
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12/21/2007 09:25:59 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Reproduction Photography <<-- I had a completely different interpretation of this topic. Imagine my disappointment. ;-) |
I thought the same thing.
I have done this for sending FAXes or documents, but never for photo copy. I would suggest using a tripod and natural light. If you have to use a flash, make sure you bounce it off something. You want to use a tripod just to make sure you're square/parallel to the picture.
I hope this helps. |
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