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scanning photo prints

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
better to scan using the pints or the negatives? (I have a decent bed scanner and a negative scanner).

Just trying to digitize a bunch of family photos that were pre-digital era.
Any tips suggestions anyone has would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
been doing some from the prints (where I don't have the negatives)
Man these look like shit.
Are the negs going to look better?
 

GrJohnso

Senior member
Jun 18, 2004
253
0
0
They'll only look as good as your scanner can do... What model scanner, dpi, software, etc? Most of the cheapo scans that the 1hr photo places do look like $#!T these days too, it's a shame... Costs $ to get decent quality.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
Originally posted by: GrJohnso
They'll only look as good as your scanner can do... What model scanner, dpi, software, etc? Most of the cheapo scans that the 1hr photo places do look like $#!T these days too, it's a shame... Costs $ to get decent quality.

this is true, neg scans pretty much come out better then print ones, however both even at super high quality scans are going to most likely need some photoshopping to get rid of dust/scratches and to do some adjustments in contrast and light/darkness
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
Originally posted by: GrJohnso
They'll only look as good as your scanner can do... What model scanner, dpi, software, etc? Most of the cheapo scans that the 1hr photo places do look like $#!T these days too, it's a shame... Costs $ to get decent quality.

just some "cheap" of the shelf Canon unit.
I'm not looking for top quality scans... but the colors on these scans is pretty freaking pale.
I just wanted to archive as much as I could.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
240
106
Negatives and 35mm positive slides produce cleaner scans. Prints have much more "grain" in the paper and that can look like "noise" in the scan.