Scanning pt/pd prints

PVia · Mar 3, 2009

Hi all...

I was wondering how I can get better looking scans of my pt/pd prints on Fabriano paper. It seems the scanner picks up all the pores of the paper and can make the smooth tonal areas of skies and other backgrounds seem more coarse than they do when I'm holding the print.

I notice that Kerik and others have very smooth-looking scans...

Any tips on how to make this look better?

Joe Lipka · Mar 3, 2009

Alternative 1. Scan the negative. Finish in photoshop and tone it to match your pt/pd color.

Alternative 2. Don't scan at a high resolution. High resolution scans will pick up the paper texture (as you have discovered).

Alternative 3. Wait for Kerik to post on how he does it. Read that. Do what he does.

Kerik · Mar 3, 2009

Either do Joe's Alternative 1, OR I suggest that you do scan at a much higher resolution than you need and then downsample to a size appropriate for the web or whatever. I've found that this method minimizes some of the paper texture artifacts. You could also try using a NR program like Neat Image on the high res scan, then downsample. Finish it off with some mild sharpening.

PVia · Mar 3, 2009

Thanks guys...actually the high-res scan and downsizing seems to help quite a bit.

Jordan · Mar 4, 2009

PVia said:
Thanks guys...actually the high-res scan and downsizing seems to help quite a bit.

I was once advised to actually re-photograph alt-process prints (using a good digital camera and presumably a nice lighting setup, etc.) rather than trying to scan them. I never tried that route, though.

Jarvman · Mar 5, 2009

I tried that method for lith prints Jordan and the colour match was awful. They completely bleached out. Scanning was a much better reproduction and even that wasn't that good! Bleedin colour casts. maybe it's better with alt process because they don't have a reflective emulsion.

lenny · Mar 5, 2009

Joe Lipka said:
Alternative 1. Scan the negative. Finish in photoshop and tone it to match your pt/pd color.

I'm with Joe on this one. Scan the neg....

Lenny
EigerStudios

Scanning pt/pd prints

PVia

Joe Lipka

Kerik

PVia

Jordan

Jarvman

lenny

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