Whew... I am just finishing up scanning two photo albums from 30 years ago. Getting a solid scan for each photo at 800dpi---an ordinal fraction of the capacity of my scanner, and big enough for high-quality 8x10s later---and adjusting histograms on each and every one in order to get the most info out of each pic as possible. 5-10 minutes per scan, 25-meg TIFFs (scanned at 48 bits and saved at 24) means about 8 *gigabytes* of information. I have been at it for about two weeks on and off, with a 5-hour stretch today to try to finish up.
And to think, I haven't retouched *any* of these yet. Luckily most will only need contrast fixing, but sharpening will be tough since the grain is showing in most of them. Next step is to use PSP's batch-processing mode and save them all as PNG, which will use only about 60% of the disk space, and then drain them all onto CD for retouching later. Probably 8 CDs worth.
I only wish I had as much knowledge about the process three years ago when I started scanning ancient family photos, that I now want to go back and redo with more skills and better equipment. Actually, what I really wish is that I had at hand the kind of skills and equipment that I will probably have at the END of this project...
So consider this a message from a tired scanner to keep practicing before starting on big projects!
(Also consider it a BIG endorsement for the Epson Perfection 2450 as well as Silverfast and Paint Shop Pro)
Kaulike
And to think, I haven't retouched *any* of these yet. Luckily most will only need contrast fixing, but sharpening will be tough since the grain is showing in most of them. Next step is to use PSP's batch-processing mode and save them all as PNG, which will use only about 60% of the disk space, and then drain them all onto CD for retouching later. Probably 8 CDs worth.
I only wish I had as much knowledge about the process three years ago when I started scanning ancient family photos, that I now want to go back and redo with more skills and better equipment. Actually, what I really wish is that I had at hand the kind of skills and equipment that I will probably have at the END of this project...
So consider this a message from a tired scanner to keep practicing before starting on big projects!
(Also consider it a BIG endorsement for the Epson Perfection 2450 as well as Silverfast and Paint Shop Pro)
Kaulike
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