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Community Newsletter: Q&A: What is the fastest and best method to scan photos into a computer?
- 9/29/08 10:23 AM
use a camera
by Quilljar - 9/20/08 2:23 AM In reply to: What is the fastest and best method to scan photos into a computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Don't bother scanning photos if you need speed, use the top quality on a digital camera and photograph the pictures. I have found this to be easy and quick for most cases. Sunlight or flash is best. If you get too much reflection, then photograph from a slight angle and then adjust the result using Adobe Photoshop. It might sound a bit complicated if you have not done it before, but practice will soon make it simple.
The camera is actually the best scanner for some pictures
by middlebass - 9/21/08 2:45 PM In reply to: use a camera by QuilljarI've scanned thousands of mostly historical images using 4 different HP scanners with mostly good to great results, in spite of the awful HP Director software that may or may not work on any day. But that's a different story.
I have also used my camera to copy a few old diaries that were to fragile to press down on the scanner, with excellent results. With my 12MP Canon EOS 5D, the results are every bit as good as with a scanner when the pictures or pages are flat, and very good even when the pages are not. And this approach is MUCH faster than using a flatbed.
However, I recently discovered that for some images, the camera is actually much better than the scanner. I wanted a good picture of an old and very faded 1920s book cover. I tried three or four different scans plus some heavy Photoshop work, and was not happy with the results. Then I took a RAW image with my camera. The ability to adjust color is so much better with a RAW image than with a JPG that I got great results this way, with no loss of resolution at all.
So if you have an old faded color or B&W image to scan, a RAW image taken with a camera may give you significantly better results than any scan with a scanner. I'm amazed that I have never read this anywhere as a tip.
Scan photos with your digital camera
by edweyhing - 9/20/08 5:11 AM In reply to: What is the fastest and best method to scan photos into a computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Get a nice well-lighted area to work.
Flat space for photos that does not reflect light.
Set your digital camera on "macro."
Disable flash. Experiment with one shot at a time until you get the light and distance right.
Click away from close range.
Quality - Not as good as a flatbed scanner.
Is there a "stand" for camera to hold it steady? (Would help)
Ed W.
I use my camera
by robroyzz - 9/20/08 6:28 AM In reply to: What is the fastest and best method to scan photos into a computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
For years I have been scanning my wife's watercolor (WC) paintings and it was always a bit of trouble stitching the scans together to make a whole image. My scanner can only take 8.5" X 11" and all of the WCs are larger. Some took two scans while others took 4 scans. Recently I have been taking pictures of new paintings with my camera. It's a modest digital (Olympus C-740) camera with 3.2 MP and a 10X optical zoom. I use a tripod, find a place outdoors or in my garage with uniform lighting (usually a shady spot) and locate the camera about 10' from the painting and zoom in to have the painting completely fill the LCD display. Using the tripod to adjust the height and zoom minimizes distortions. It's cheap and simple to use. I have been wanting a 2 bulb goose neck light fixture for indoor work but maybe in the winter when it's too cold outdoors.
I Discovered a Great Scanner
by bdaleday - 9/20/08 6:54 AM In reply to: What is the fastest and best method to scan photos into a computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I'm an avid genealogist, having traced over 3000 of my ancestors. I'm now adding hundreds of pictures (especially old ones) to my files. Since I too need a fast and easy scanner, I tried the Canon Li90 flat-bed, and am totally delighted. For my purpose, a resolution of 300 ppi is plenty for color (400 for B&W), so that's where I set it. At that setting, the Li90 scans the 8" by 11" bed in only 5 seconds. (You can set the resolution much higher if you want, which of course slows the scan.) But the great part is that you can load a bunch of pictures on the window, and the Li90 software AUTOMATICALLY SEPARATES THEM INTO INDIVIDUAL FILES, correctly aligned even if they were crooked on the window! You save LOTS of time by NOT having to scan and edit each one individually. And it's light and portable, so I take it to my relatives' homes with my laptop, and scan ALL their old photos as fast as I can lay them on the window. For my money (under $100) it doesn't get any better than that!
Canon Li90 flat-bed scanner
by plmahlik - 9/27/08 8:22 AM In reply to: I Discovered a Great Scanner by bdaledayWhere can I buy the Canon Li90 flat-bed scanner. I haven't been able to find it anywhere?
Thanks, Larry
How to find scanner
by grs07 - 9/27/08 3:09 PM In reply to: Canon Li90 flat-bed scanner by plmahlikLook for "Canon LiDE90" and you should get a hit. However, the reviews I saw did not rate as favorably.
Canon Li90
by aprebil - 9/27/08 5:53 PM In reply to: Canon Li90 flat-bed scanner by plmahlikThe actual model # is LiDE90 & Newegg.com has stock
Scanning multiple photos
by norfolkymt - 9/20/08 7:40 AM In reply to: What is the fastest and best method to scan photos into a computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Get a copy of Photoshop CS3. It allows you to scan as many photos as you can fit on a scanner and then - it cuts them, staightens them and sorts them. I can do 6 - 8 at a time.
Adrian
The price of adobe Photocshop cs3 is outrageous....
by LKLJ0920000 - 9/28/08 7:44 AM In reply to: Scanning multiple photos by norfolkymtBetter off bying a good scanner.
The fastest way to scan picture to PC
by aakdbhmlaeam - 9/20/08 7:47 AM In reply to: What is the fastest and best method to scan photos into a computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I like the Fujitsu ScanSnap 500 series. It is an incredible machine. You can 10+ pics in and it scans them through in no time!
Fastest and cheapest way to scan photos to PC
by andchan - 9/20/08 8:04 AM In reply to: What is the fastest and best method to scan photos into a computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If resolution is not a main issue to you, use a digital camera to take the photo of those photos or documents you want to scan to PC and upload those photos to PC by using a card reader.
pic-to-pic
by compwarfare - 9/20/08 8:07 AM In reply to: What is the fastest and best method to scan photos into a computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I'm assuming you don't want to avail yourself of the services of a photo processing store. Well, then....
Old technology in forensic fingerprint processing often called for the photographing of a raised fingerprint using a 1:1 camera. For the best and most consistent exposure, the camera was placed in a jig that allowed the user to vary the distance of subject to lens until the print filled the required space within the exposure area. This method, while now rather antiquated, will serve quite well for your proposed use. While you won't actually need to construct a fully functional jig, your main concern will be maintaining the correct angle for exposure, and several methods can be used. Once you've determined your method, simply take a digital picture of the photo. Pay attention to lighting, and fill as much of the actual usuable area of the digital photo as possible. Then simply upload the memory card into your computer.
My favorite method is to affix the camera to the end of a 2X4 that is held in place on the sides by two others, allowing the one to which the camera is affixed to slide back and forth. Of course, all the wood used should be absolutely straight and sanded smooth. You can also use steel bar stock instead of wood. Center a large piece of graph paper to a wall opposite the end of your "jig" and mark on the paper where the center of the lens focuses, then mark outwards on the paper from that point for the sizes of photos you are preserving: 4X6, 8X10, and any other sizes you have. Then just affix the photo to the proper position on the graph paper using photo tape, and click away. Pay attention to the angle at which you have mounted your camera. There should be 0 degrees deflection from the axis of lens to subject. It takes about an hour of set-up, but then you're good for 100's of takes.
Of course, most good full service camera stores will be happy to scan your photos to a disc, too. It's not that expensive, and the results are usually quite good. I only recommend doing it yourself if your original photos are extremely old, and you are worried that the bright light used during scanning may affect the photo paper.
Shutterfly.com now affiliated to a scan company
by wshedd - 9/26/08 7:30 PM In reply to: pic-to-pic by compwarfareCheck out Shutterfly.com and on line photo lab....they are affiliated with a company that does scanning of slides, negatives, all at reasonable prices....especially if you have lot and lots of old slides you want digititzed.
I have not yet used that service but soon will be giving them a try.
William
Best Method To Scan Photos
by Callywacker1 - 9/20/08 8:24 AM In reply to: What is the fastest and best method to scan photos into a computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
In the future, try taking your pictures with a digital camera that you can download them directly into your computer. For the ones you need to scan, the fastest way you can do it is to take them to a Wal-mart or K-mart, or other photo shop, and let them scan them to a disc for you. Then you can take the disk home and upload it to your computer. Otherwise you can scan multiple pictures at once into a file (.jpg) and then if you need one specific picture you can always copy the file into Photoshope and edit it out for use.
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