Photos from the 70s

[corinnacs]

I'm on a project of scanning all of our childhood photos. The problem I'm having is that the paper the photos are printed on actually have a bumpy texture--not smooth like today's prints. So when I scan these (at 300 or 600 dpi) the resulting scan actually looks like there are little dots all over the picture (at high zoom). I can lessen it by a blur filter, but don't want to overdo that. Is there something I'm not doing right, or can I do something to fix this? It's not a big deal if I print these out as the original 3x4, but there's no way I can enlarge them even to 6x4...

[shazzt]

Now I saw something on how to correct that somewhere - but it escapes me for the moment. I will try to find it (hopefully someone else will give you the answer before then!)

[webfrau]

I would love the answer to that one too - they're awful those mat photos when scanned. Hope you can find where you saw it Shazz - or someone else can.

[Janet]

This was how I worked around that when I was using PSP:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55507&ppuser=69

[GailS]

I have that same problem - but mine aren't in a pattern, more like tiny white dots or specks that aren't on the original - I think they are reflections of the light off those tiny bumps. I hate it! I go in and touch them up using the blemish remover/makeover tool, it works wonders, but takes a bit of time.

[Janet]

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! THAT would be dust. Icky, nasty, PITA dust. It can be on the photo, on your glass, or worse, UNDER your glass.

I clean my scanner bed glass with a dry microfiber cloth nearly every time I scan - even if I'm doing a ton, I drag it over with each swap of photos. If that doesn't get things clean, I get part of it slightly damp and go over it again. I also will use a dry (only dry) cloth on the actual photo. On negatives it's even worse - those tiny specs end up looking like boulders, and I use compressed air to blow off negatives after they're in the holders and before they go on (or in - depending on which scanner I'm using) the scanner.

[webfrau]

Oooh good idea about the compressed air and negs. I keep a microfibre cloth by my scanner too.

[GailS]

The microfiber cloth sounds like a good idea, I'll try that next time! Thanks!!

[dougmac]

In the lab you will consistently get the best results from a negative as opposed to a print. A good scanner will still show the texture of a print, but negatives in good condition can create a new print better than the original print.

Cheers,

Doug
ScrapbookPictures.com

[omio]

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! THAT would be dust. Icky, nasty, PITA dust. It can be on the photo, on your glass, or worse, UNDER your glass.

I clean my scanner bed glass with a dry microfiber cloth nearly every time I scan - even if I'm doing a ton, I drag it over with each swap of photos. If that doesn't get things clean, I get part of it slightly damp and go over it again. I also will use a dry (only dry) cloth on the actual photo. On negatives it's even worse - those tiny specs end up looking like boulders, and I use compressed air to blow off negatives after they're in the holders and before they go on (or in - depending on which scanner I'm using) the scanner.

I was just getting ready to start a new thread with this question -- glad I found this first. :tup:

I'm having that stupid dust problem and I have lots of pics with dark backgrounds. My scanner is an Epson Perfection 4990 and I love it. But the dust is on the underside of the glass. I called Epson for help and was assured that no dust could possibly be inside the scanner -- I can SEE it for crying out loud! :annoyed:

I routinely do all of the things you suggest, Janet, and I keep the scanner covered when it's not in use. I'm convinced the only solution is to clean the underside of the glass -- is there a way?

[Janet]

In the lab you will consistently get the best results from a negative as opposed to a print. A good scanner will still show the texture of a print, but negatives in good condition can create a new print better than the original print.

Cheers,

Doug
ScrapbookPictures.com

Doug is right for about 90% of the negatives I've scanned with my business (when I was offering scanning). Basically, scanning a print is like making a copy of a copy. However, I did run into some that were NOT stored well, and deteriorated to give a worse scan than the print. So, take a look at the negatives and prints and try out a few of the same image and see what works best for you. :)

And sometimes, the photos are lost, and other times the negatives disappeared - so work with what you can. Digitizing any of your collection is well worth it!

(BTW, Doug, I ADORE the prints you make!)

[Janet]

I was just getting ready to start a new thread with this question -- glad I found this first. :tup:

I'm having that stupid dust problem and I have lots of pics with dark backgrounds. My scanner is an Epson Perfection 4990 and I love it. But the dust is on the underside of the glass. I called Epson for help and was assured that no dust could possibly be inside the scanner -- I can SEE it for crying out loud! :annoyed:

I routinely do all of the things you suggest, Janet, and I keep the scanner covered when it's not in use. I'm convinced the only solution is to clean the underside of the glass -- is there a way?

I live in the country on dirt roads - dust is AWFUL here - I, too, have a 4990 and just in the past few months I've started to see it on the underside of the glass. But I still have the majority that looks clean. I know Epson doesn't have a solution. I probably will end up just replacing it - there are some REALLY good ones out there, and the price has come down - when I am ready to replace it, before I do, I think I'll have DH dismantle it to see if it can be cleaned.

[omio]

Thanks, anyway. This is frustrating -- I want it to be like overhead projectors where I could remove the glass and clean it on both sides. :(

[omio]

Just did a quick Google search and this is apparently a relatively common problem with 4990. I found a site that gives instructions for dismantling it at http://members.cox.net/machines/epson_perfection_4990_photo_scanner_dismantling/index.html

This guy is surely a hobbyist -- and I'm not sure why he would do this outside -- but I figure it's worth a try before spending $$$ to replace a good scanner just because of dust! Anyway, I printed the 21 pages of picture instructions as a PDF (with his website showing). Send a pm with your email addy if you would like to have it.

[LadynRed]

Here's a method for getting rid of that photo matte paper pattern:

http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=140

It works pretty well, I've used it a few times.

[webfrau]

Oooh that looks good Diane, thanks!

[lbjiowa]

You are ALL lifesavers! I'm just about to start a very big scanning project ... a stash of old family photos my DM sent home with me after last summer's visit. Of course I've put them off to the side until now ... a week before I next visit her! Of course, she'll be wanting to see what I've DONE with those photos ... YIKES:eek:!

THANKS for all the tips in this thread!:love1::love3: