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05/13/2008 08:23:35 AM · #1 |
I have some photos that I would like to scan, but no scanner. Went to the local print shop and will try Kinkos sometime this weekend BUT I'm wondering if there's anything I can do as far as photography a photo. I've tried and get a glare or unnatural look. Any help!?
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05/13/2008 08:26:55 AM · #2 |
polarizer would fix the glare. As for the 'unnatural look', what do you mean? Colour cast? Softness? Or something else?
Also, make sure the picture and the sensor plane are totally parallel or else it will look crooked and distorted (which you can fix in PS i suppose), and avoid any bokeh appearing which may not be what you're after.
I'm not sure how sharp you could get the picture of a picture but it's worth a go i guess. Just eliminate as many variables as you can in terms of stray light and camera placement. Oh, and get your WB correct too.
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05/13/2008 09:59:02 AM · #3 |
I did a project last year for the local Historical Society. It involved 'photographing' a large number of old photos and assembling them into one large panorama of North Street as it appeared in the early 1900's.
Method used: used a light tent placed on the floor with the door facing up. Placed photo in bottom of light tent and positioned camera on tripod directly over the door center. Lit tent and adjusted to minimize glare and shot in RAW for maximum adjust room. Came out great and they were able to print the whole assembled image as a 14 foot long/forget how tall single image which is on display somewhere in Pittsfield. |
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05/13/2008 10:27:04 AM · #4 |
A small table, or a stand, like a heavy music stand, and two or three clip on reflector "work" lights is what we used to use when copying. The light tent sounds like an even better way to go.
It may be useful to go to a shop that frames photos and get a piece of anti reflective glass to lay over the original photos to keep them flat if they try to roll up at the corners.
I am going to be copying a batch of older B&W images that way soon, and will use an enlarger stand to hold the camera. It keeps the camera lined up square with the table, and makes it easy to move in and out to frame up the photos.
It also helps to sort the photos by size before you start copying in order to make camera positioning easier.
An enlarger easel works nicely too, for holding the originals if you have access to that item.
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05/13/2008 10:49:02 AM · #5 |
the only thing i'd watch for is barrel distortion or curvature.
Message edited by author 2008-05-13 10:49:09.
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05/13/2008 11:00:05 AM · #6 |
just fyi...you don't mention what type of photos they are...professional or snapshots...even if they are photos YOU yourself took but they look professional most copy shops (such as Kinko's) aren't supposed to let you copy them (including scanning) without a copywrite release.
Our manager at the Kinko's I worked at would ask for a release if they APPEARED to be professional, with a backdrop and nice poses but were on regular kodak paper. It may seem stupid that you have to provide a release for your own images but if it helps get the job done without problems I'd have one. All you really need is a letter with letterhead, saying you have permission to copy/scan etc the images. Even if it's signed by you, my boss would have taken it. May not be a concern but thought I'd pass it on. |
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05/13/2008 11:41:17 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by k4ffy:
the only thing i'd watch for is barrel distortion or curvature. |
He has the Nikon 60mm macro lens, so that won't be a problem for him.
R. |
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05/13/2008 11:54:17 AM · #8 |
The pictures are mostly snap shots...one is a 'pro' job where they dress you up in early samurai and geisha gear and take a photo (Done in 3 minutes). It's not the best photo I've had taken of me, due to the rush in the process, but it's worth getting scanned and messing around with. Kinkos in Japan wouldn't have a problem I don't think.
The weird look I spoke of was that the photo actually seemed grainier than it actually was. If I looked close enough, I would not see the same level of grain on the actual photo than I would on the shot I would take of it. I'll post some examples when I try out a couple different lenses and tips I've gotten.
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05/13/2008 01:28:41 PM · #9 |
My dad used to to this when I was younger. I remember him using a clean piece of glass on top of the picture being photographed. He would sit the picture on the kitchen table, open the windows (light), set up the camera on a tripod directly over the picture and set it to timer. Now days we can use a wireless remote to trigger the camera. Good thing about doing this is now days you can keep shooting at different shutter speeds and see instant results where as at the time he was shooting with film.
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