Scanning & Printing Basics ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ by John Boretos, MP, NIHCC

Scanning. Scanning your slides or negatives is one way to get your images into your computer so that you can modify, manipulate and be creative with your subjects. First, let’s look at the various types of scanning and then discuss alternatives. There are flat bed scanners and film scanners. Flat beds are best for documents and photographs but some models have the capability to handle slides and negatives as well. Some of the recent models have great scanning capabilities and a wide range of resolution capabilities and sell between $100 - 300. One model boasts having Digital Ice (a dust and imperfections remover) built-in. This feature may not seem like much at first but once you enlarge the image you will find dust spots, hairs, dings and a host of other undesirable defects that must be manually removed through cloning or such. It is certainly a feature that will save you significant amounts of time and frustration. Film scanners, on the other hand, are more expensive and handle negatives and slides much better. They too should have dust removing software built-in. If you are working on a budget and do not want to purchase a scanner, there are scanning services available through your local camera stores. Pricing is per slide or per negative plus the cost of a CD to store them. Also, the degree of enlargement dictates the file size which you will need. Naturally, the greater the file size (and the greater the photo enlargement potential) the more costly it is per image to scan. One approach is to sort your files for images that you feel will fit competition categories for the coming year and decide what size print you will enter in competition. Since there are nine meeting, perhaps you will want to have 12 slides scanned. Usually, the cost is $10 for the CD and $5 per slide for scans capable of producing quality (18 Mb) 11 X 14 prints. Cheaper prices exist if you are planning on making smaller prints sizes. There is still another way to go about getting the image on your computer. If you are lucky enough to own a digital still or motion camera you can copy the image directly. A device exists that makes this method easy and is called a Shotcopy. Essentially, it is a wooden platform that allows you to mount your camera in alignment with a slide, negative or print (up to 4X5) and make a copy. This copy then can be directly transferred into your computer via the cameras fire-wire and you are ready to work. Words of caution though; check your camera and make certain that it can focus sharply to within one inch of the image. The Shotcopy sells for $60 plus S&H through the Internet but if you are particularly handy it can be readily built by you with simple materials. Here again, the larger the resolution capability of your camera the larger the print you will be able to make. Dust will still be a problem. Of course, if you are making images with a digital camera from the start then no scanning is necessary. Regardless of the way you approach the task, you will revel in the ability to restore old and cherished images or generate new and exciting photos. You will enjoy the added benefit of having them in a format that will insure a long and stable life.

Printing. Now comes the second phase of the photography process; i.e., printing. There are a large number of printers that are capable of producing photo quality output. In the 8.5” X 11” size, the printers are quite reasonable with a competent one for under $150. However, this is not where the cost comes in so much as that of buying ink. Ink cartridges run from $20 each and beyond. Larger printers (13 wide or greater) begin at about $700 and go up. Naturally they use more ink so cost more to operate. If you want large format prints and don’t want to invest to this extent in printing, then load your image on a CD and take it to your local camera shop. They will have little trouble giving you the results you are looking for. Just make certain you check with them first as to the size file they can handle and the size print they can produce. The proper selection of photo paper plays a large part in producing the end result and the mood you are seeking. Look for examples of the type finish you will receive from gloss, matte, satin, watercolor paper, linen etc. Some inks work better with some papers and not as well with others.

E-mail me at [email protected] with any questions relating to digital photography and I will find answers and post them in this column. Starting with our first meeting in September, my web site will carry creative image modification procedures. See my web site at www.geocities.com/jboretos