resolution question

I have a bunch of 120 scans which I'm scanning with and epson v700. I've been scanning at 800 dpi, with a 8 x 8 target resolution, using the epson software. The scans are nice, but they're very big. I'll probably print a few of these at around 8 x 8 but the majority of them will be sent via email to a friend of mine, who will use them in a powerpoint presentation, so keeping file size down, would help a lot. Also, I have to edit them all very quickly so the less time wasted opening the files the better. What do you think the best way to keep file size down, and maintain most of the quality?
btw the negs are b and w at 16 bit
Thanks,
John

First, if the goal is to keep size down you can reduce resolution to 400 spi at the target size as that is all you will need to print. Then, to send the files to your friend you can change them to 8 bit and send as .jpeg.

However, you want to do all of your editing in 16 bit at the full size first.

Sandy King

mexipike said:

I have a bunch of 120 scans which I'm scanning with and epson v700. I've been scanning at 800 dpi, with a 8 x 8 target resolution, using the epson software. The scans are nice, but they're very big. I'll probably print a few of these at around 8 x 8 but the majority of them will be sent via email to a friend of mine, who will use them in a powerpoint presentation, so keeping file size down, would help a lot. Also, I have to edit them all very quickly so the less time wasted opening the files the better. What do you think the best way to keep file size down, and maintain most of the quality?
btw the negs are b and w at 16 bit
Thanks,
John

Click to expand...

Hello mexipike,

Perhaps the V700/V750 blog link too may be of use to you too

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/BB/viewforum.php?f=34

Kind Regards

Hi,

Here's one option to have your cake and eat it too

Make the scans as large as possible (a huge 16-bit raw archival version which you can store on dvd or whatever), then make a duplicate downsized proxy file for editing and keeping on your computer.

On the small file, use adjustment layers for tonal edits, then if needed, drag them onto the large one for a high-resolution file with the same tonal characteristics.

I downsize the proxy files so that at 50% magnification, the entire image fits on my screen. That way, there will be less display interpolation artifacts (less than 33.3% or 66.7% or etc.) when viewing the entire image, but can also zoom in to see more detail.

Also, the proxy files are downgraded to 8-bpc for further space saving

In addition to global tonal edits with adjustment layers, you can make lasso selections for dodging and burning (also with adjustment layers) - but if you want to drag them onto the large raw file, you need to (temporarily) resize the small one to the EXACT pixel dimensions of the raw file, otherwise the masks will not align properly.

Hope this helps. I like the fact that a raw, untouched file is available for re-edit if the mood (or the technology or my technique) changes

p

What I ended up doing is scanning at a slightly lower resolution, and at 300 dpi, as I was in a hurry, all the way around including scanning time. It worked out pretty well. Next time I'll probably try that last suggestion. Thanks for the help.

John

By the way one quick question- How do I save as a proxy, I don't really understand how that works. Thanks
John

Hi,
I guess the word "proxy" sounds like some official Photoshop function... its actually just a duplicated, then downsized copy of the original raw, fresh-off-the-scanner version Just add some suffix to the end of either the raw file or the proxy file, to keep track of em. for my workflow, i've made a droplet which automates it. drag and drop.