How do you scan your 11x14 and larger prints to store on your computer?

kerrpanda

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Oct 29, 2007

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35mm

• Mar 26, 2020

• #1

I used to live near a framing shop that would scan my darkroom prints for storage on my computer & give the scans to me on a thumb drive. I now live in a very remote area with none of those amenities. My Epson V600 only accommodates 8x10 and I am loath to print an 8x10 of everything I print just to scan, even if it would come out exactly the same.

 

jim10219

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Oklahoma

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4x5 Format

• Mar 26, 2020

• #2

You can either scan it in parts and stitch it in software, or photograph it with a digital camera. They make large format scanners as well, but that's an investment that may not be worth your money.

 

MattKing

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• Mar 26, 2020

• #3

Scan it in two (~8"x11") parts and then stitch the parts together.
I use Microsoft I.C.E. to do the stitching. Free software from Microsoft!
The files are large.
Some paper surfaces are better for scanning than others. Satin finish RC prints are the best I've found, but I expect that there are fibre surfaces that are similar.

 

neeksgeek

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• Mar 26, 2020

• #4

Scan and stitch. Microsoft ICE is really awesome. I use it for vertical panoramas, something which Photoshop seems to choke on. ICE ought to so well with stitching prints. Here’s the link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/res...tography-applications/image-composite-editor/

Or get a copy stand, that combined with a digital camera would work fine.

 

Pieter12

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• Mar 26, 2020

• #5

Copy stand and digital camera.

 

Ian Grant

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West Midland

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• Mar 26, 2020

• #6

Pieter12 said:

Copy stand and digital camera.

Click to expand...

That's effectively what I used to do, these days I scan the negatives I've almost always made darkroom prints firts and can match the csans to them. The only time I've scanned first was while living in Turkey and making Digital negative off 2 images then Platinum prints, but not surprisingly my darkroom prints off those negs are very close in similarirty. I did make Inkjet prints as well on Harman Warntone paper (freebie on Ilford factory tour but no longer made) and was impressed I could go that route - but don't want to.

Ian

 

OP

OP

kerrpanda

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Joined

Oct 29, 2007

Messages

59

Format

35mm

• Mar 28, 2020

• #7

Thank you all very much. I could kick myself because in the process of moving I let the copy stand go. I will attempt the Microsoft ICE (never heard of it!) and if not I will rig up another copy stand. As far as scanning negs, sometimes my prints are quite changed from the negative so I would have to have an accurate representation of the mage. Really appreciate all the help.
By the way, the remote area I moved to 2 years ago has introduced me to FIVE local film/darkroom photographers, not to mention how many tourists I have seen with film cameras(most of them from Austin, TX)! Go film! Go Austin!