Scanned image is poor

[Bubzeebub]

I have an image that I want to scan. The picture was taken with a regular low-to-mid range Minolta camera. The picture looks fine. However, when I scan it on an all-in-one scanner, it comes out more blurry than the actual picture. What can I do to correct this?

[mivox]

Are you scanning at the highest resolution the scanner offers?

[Bubzeebub]

I believe so but I'm not sure. I just put the picture in the scan feeder and press the 'Scan' button. Might there be a better way?

[mivox]

If you're using photoshop, use the "import" menu (it's under the File menu), and it should open up a dialog that allows you to adjust the image resolution, and activate the scanner.

If your scanner software does not allow you to adjust the resolution of the scanned image, I'd recommend spending $50-100 for a basic flatbed scanner that comes with a proper TWAIN driver (anything by HP or epson, etc., will do fine).

[Bubzeebub]

gotcha...thanks

[limbo]

'Scan' button. Might there be a better way?

Do you have any software with the scanner?

You should be able to choose settings to improve the output scan - set it to a minimum of 300 dpi with "colour photo" as your image type.

[Bubzeebub]

ahh yes. It has software in which I was able to increase the resolution. When I increase the resolution, the size of the picture increased with it. Unfortunately, I need a small picture. I was able to resize it and touch it up with Photoshop.
Thanks.

[too much information]

To get a really good scan always scan a glossy print. The texture in the matte finish will make your scan look pretty lousy.

[Bubzeebub]

A glossy print? I doubt then that the photos taken at a local mom and pop shopt aren't considered glossy prints. What's needed for a glossy print?

[lZakl]

Take the negative (film) in to be developed, and ask for a glossy print, not matte.. Some will offer this and some won't (Wal-Mart doesn't but ShopKo dose for example). Just depends on where you get them developed. I take mine to a professional camera shop, and I get 5X7 glossy doubles with white borders for what youd pay for 4X6 mattes at 1-hour-photo shops. Shop around.

Matted photos, as-far-as scanning goes, are 98% of the time unrepairable...

-- Zak

[The_Hat]

When you say that the size of the picture increased with it, i assume that you mean the printed size, because it you were to increase the resolution it would grow in size on your monitor since your monitor has a fixed resolution compared to your image.

[mivox]

When I increase the resolution, the size of the picture increased with it. Unfortunately, I need a small picture. I was able to resize it and touch it up with Photoshop.

Assuming you're using the photo on the web, that's exactly what you want to do. Scan it in at 200-300ppi to begin with, and then reduce it to 72ppi X your desired dimensions. It's always better to scale down a good/big scan, than to try and get a good small/lo-resolution scan to begin with.

If the scan is for web-only use, I doubt you needt to worry about glossy prints either.

[krieves]

Personally, I want as high a resolution photo as I can get - even for web publication. Manipulate the hi-rez version, contrast, brightness, levels, sharpen, etc. to get the best image possible. Then when you downsize it for the web, you get a good quality image.

My experience is that if you start with a low rez image and try to improve it, it is much more difficult.

For instance, when you sharpen an image, PS will look at areas of different colors and contrasts in order to guess at which pixels to intensify (you can control this to some degree). In a larger image there are more pixels to work with and you can get smoother lines. When the image is downsized, the quality is often higher.