End Product for book

Anton Lukoszevieze · Aug 27, 2015

I have to foto someone for a book. My question is do i make a darkroom print, as usual, and scan the print? Or do i
scan the negative and present that to the publisher.? I am completely analogue, I don't own a digital camera (apart from fone) I always print in darkroom. I scan my prints sometimes just for the computer. I hope this is the correct place on the forum to post this question. Thoughts anyone? I can use Photoshop on a basic level....btw

Tom Kershaw · Aug 27, 2015

Hi Anton,

I would scan the print if that is the technique you're more familiar with. PS) Heard you on Radio 3 the other evening.

Tom

Ian Grant · Aug 27, 2015

I've been having work printed from digital files for over 20 years and have used both approaches, if you're printing and scanning then Glossy RC papers scan the best. This may be the easier approach for you.

However I've been scanning my negatives for publication in the past couple of years as I find that gives me the best overall quality and I can match the scans to my B&W prints well.

Ian

bdial · Aug 27, 2015

The publisher will need an image resolution of at least 300dpi for a print scan, and much higher than that if you scan the negative. It would be a good idea to ask them exactly what they need.

I agree with Ian that the negative scan will probably yield a better result, but that assumes you have the equipment and software to do it.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Aug 27, 2015

I have done several author portraits and they usually end up no more than 4" on the back flap. Sometimes they will print them on the back cover but that is becoming rare. Most likely it's the back flap.

The most recent one I've done was shot on film and the neg was scanned. That's what I would suggest as it allows you to do the kind of retouching that most people now expect: fix eye bags, remove any big wrinkles, spots, etc. You could, of course, scan a glossy 8x10 print and do the same thing as well.

If you don't want to do this kind of retouching work, feel free to shoot me a PM and I can either help myself or suggest someone for you.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 27, 2015

Anton Lukoszevieze said:
I have to foto someone for a book. My question is do i make a darkroom print, as usual, and scan the print? Or do i
scan the negative and present that to the publisher.? I am completely analogue, I don't own a digital camera (apart from fone) I always print in darkroom. I scan my prints sometimes just for the computer. I hope this is the correct place on the forum to post this question. Thoughts anyone? I can use Photoshop on a basic level....btw

nothing wrong with making a full-tonal scale darkroom print and scanning it for publication.Talk to your publisher.They should be able to tell you the scanning parameters they require(usuallymonochrome8x10in 300spi).I did that for my first book with a cheapy consumer desktop flat bed scanner and it worked fantastically for a very professional printer in Brugge,Belgium.It's fun to work with people who know what they are doing.

Anton Lukoszevieze · Aug 27, 2015

Thank you for your input everyone. I don't have a decent neg. scanner, my print scanner is ok. I feel loathe to just scan a neg. feels anathema to me I am afraid. I love working in the darkroom,
I just feel in control...I'll try Glossy RC (oh the horror but if it scans well, so be it. Yes Tom, was on BBC Radio 3, still there online.

End Product for book

Anton Lukoszevieze

Tom Kershaw

Ian Grant

bdial

ParkerSmithPhoto

RalphLambrecht

Anton Lukoszevieze

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