Scanner SV vs Photoshop

TK
Posted By
Tomaz_Klinc
May 7, 2004
Views
312
Replies
1
Status
Closed
Each scanner software (e.g., NikonScan, VueScan) offers a variety of image editing tools similar to those of Photoshop, and in case of SilverFast the set of tools is very extensive. Since duplicate use of the ‘same’ tool is to be avoided, I wonder which part of the work should be done while scanning, and which is best left to Photoshop.

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RK
Rob_Keijzer
May 7, 2004
Tomaz,

I use PS 7 with a Mikrotek 35 mm scanner and Silverfast. Normally I scan in 16 bit/channel space offering ample room for the actual 12 bit/ch I get from the scanner.

The main thing I do in the scanning software is determining the white and black points of the film. This ensures that the entire dynamic range is captured, and that it’s spread-out onto the whole space.

I would never do things that would be irreversible, like Unsharp Mask. That is better done in PS, where you can do it non-destructively on a layer.

In general it is more comfortable to "do it all" in PS because then you’re able to use things like History states etc.

I usually scan reversal film (Provia 100F) And when I have exposed correctly (not always the case) I just do white/black point and crop.
(If you use auto-adjust, crop off the black frame first, or it will be considered as the black point).

Never scan with the output in mind (for instance a small web image), always scan at 2400 ppi minimum. And always in 16 bit/ch. it gives you room to edit. Reduce at the end. sharpen after that.

hope this helps,
Rob

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