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SCANNING DIFFERENT MEDIA
The process and applications of a scanner are
relatively simplistic. It acts and functions much like a copier.
It has the same little scanning bar that blinds you if you look
into it, and instead of feeding paper (though a rare few do) it
transmits the scanned object into your computer and allows you to
alter it digitally. In that respect, a scanner can far surpass
the average office copier.
Color Scanning
Scanning color pictures can be fun, but it's also very
challenging. You may expect to get the same quality and detail as
the original, but that's not always the case.
A critical part of any scan is determining the
proper resolution, or dpi (dot per inch) setting. Most scanning
software allows you to select from a range of settings, usually
between 75-6000 dpi. Of course, individual settings depend on the
quality of the scanner you're using, and technological
possibilities are expanding all the time.
Generally speaking, the greater the dpi (or
higher the resolution), means a better quality scan. It also
means that you've created a larger file. A typical 400 dpi color
scan can be as large as two megabytes, whereas a 100 dpi black
and white scan is somewhere between 50-100 kilobytes. There is
also a major difference in the smoothness of color shading. The
edges of the scanned pictures become more jagged and irregular
when using a lower resolution setting.
The advantage to scanning in pictures at a lower
resolution is that the files are not as large, and can be easily
attached to an e-mail or saved to a floppy disk. A 400 dpi file
takes a long time to transfer on a slower machine, and is too
large to fit on only a single disk. The disadvantage, however, is
that lower resolution creates a lower quality picure. Photo
images found on the Web are usually scanned at 72 dpi. While they
look great on your screen, these photos will not print on a color
printer very clearly.
Black & White Scanning
In scanning black and white text or photocopies, the concern over
resolution is as great. Whether it's photos or text, contrast is
just as important as resolution. Sometimes you'll need to darken
the black or grays to add contrast against a white background.
Adjusting the contrast can cause otherwise unnoticeable scratches
to particles to appear. Using PhotoShop, you can easily increase
or decrease contrast once a scan is completed.
Another thing to be aware of is the quality of
the original you are scanning. The scanned picture can never be
better than it's original, and you must keep in mind that there
are always minor deficiencies, scratches, or other imperfections
that will be enhanced by the scan. Keeping the glass on your
scanner clean, and double-checking for wrinkles, smears and other
debris on the original will usually lead to a high-quality scan.
In scanning different kinds of media, the best
thing to do is experiment. Once you have some of the basic
principles down, you'll start to see more and more ways to apply
them, and even begin to think of new things you might want to
try. Play around with scanning objects other than pictures or
documents. Most mid-range scanners can capture almost anything
that will fit on the glass. Just keep trying different things and
don't get discouraged if success is slow to come. Proper scanning
techniques can take years to refine.
If you have any questions or need help preparing
your digital files, please contact us.
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