AboutEric C. M. Basir Expertise I can assist you with information and suggestions for scanning, color correcting and manipulating images for print and electronic press.
Experience An exhaustive client list and other information available online at www.PhotoGrafix.pro
Question Hi Eric, I have a number of photographs I would like to reproduce-however the negatives, I no longer have. This only leaves me the option of scanning and printing the prints. I have noticed however that when doing this in the past-the scanned image always seems to be somewhat darker or lighter when printed off. Have you any tips for producing the best reproduction of any image-perhaps using Photoshop 7, which I have? The scanner I use is the Canoscan Lide 60 and there are also additional settings-fading correction and backlight correction. When it comes to the resolution-I always select 300dpi-should I go higher? I also notice that when it comes to printing-there is a choice of using printer half-tones-should I choose this just before printing? I use an Epson Stylus Photo R360 together with the best quality Epson Photographic Paper. I would be most grateful for any help in this matter. Thanks, Davey
Answer Davey, you are experiencing a common problem which can cause you alot of frustration. I think the the software and hardware you are using is fine. 300 dpi is good. Also make sure your file format is TIF. Not JPG.
The most important thing is that you make good scans and save them properly. How they print is dependent on the printer. Epson is the best. As you are doing, use the Epson paper with Epson ink.
When I used to do my own printing, I would make test strips. Then I would check the print in daylight. From there I would compensate with color correction. However, do not re-save the original scan after you color correct it. Save the corrected version as a different file. That will allow you to print again in the future after you have become more proficient at color correcting and/or sending pix to a lab.
