getting around matte speckles

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false_dmitrii

I had to scan a matte print the other day, and it finally clicked that
all the speckles weren't dust. :) I'm curious as to whether there's
anything that can be done to the physical print to cut down on the
reflection problem--some sort of makeshift filter, placing it at a
particular angle or elevation, etc. I don't think the flatbed's
lighting method can be altered. :) Although...is there any merit to
underexposing and then correcting in software? Thought about taking a
photograph of the print instead, but I don't have the knowledge, the
skills, or the basic lighting equipment that would require.

false_dmitrii
 
You could try Polaroid's free dust/scratch application...it actually
works, probably better scanning prints than negs...you need to browse
Polaroid's site for it.
 
I had to scan a matte print the other day, and it finally clicked that
all the speckles weren't dust. :) I'm curious as to whether there's
anything that can be done to the physical print to cut down on the
reflection problem--some sort of makeshift filter, placing it at a
particular angle or elevation, etc. I don't think the flatbed's
lighting method can be altered. :) Although...is there any merit to
underexposing and then correcting in software? Thought about taking a
photograph of the print instead, but I don't have the knowledge, the
skills, or the basic lighting equipment that would require.

false_dmitrii
Click to expand...

You can try "unsharp" at a minimal setting on
whatever photo processing program you have. Plain
matte doesn't seem to be too much of a problem for
me but a silk paper, which consists of definite
surface bumps, is a real problem. Nonetheless, a
very moderate unsharp seems to work. Helps to
scan at a 600 or higher.

Certainly you can use a digital camera to take a
photo of the print. Set the lights at 45 degrees,
one one each side and you should get rid of the
speckles but at the expense of resolution.
 
I had to scan a matte print the other day, and it finally clicked
that
all the speckles weren't dust. :) I'm curious as to whether there's
anything that can be done to the physical print to cut down on the
reflection problem
Click to expand...

Depending on the uniqueness of the image, soak in distilled water with
a little wetting agent. Run off excess water and carefully place on
the glass platen. Dry the image in a low dust environment after
scanning. If you have a lot of this type of originals, you may also
attempt to use "Kami" mounting fluid:
e.g. <http://www.kami-produkte.de/english/sc.html>.
Wipe the platen clean after use.

Alternatively, for a less invasive method, you might want to scan the
image twice, rotating it 180 degrees between scans. Then in Photoshop,
align the two layers and blend with "Darker" blending mode. Alignment
may be more accurate if you scan at a higher than otherwise needed
resolution (up to native scanner resolution), and reduce to final
pixel dimensions when you're done.

Bart
 
Also, in Photoshop and perhaps Elements and Paintshop there is a filter
called "despeckle." Might work.
 
Also, in Photoshop and perhaps Elements and Paintshop there is a filter
called "despeckle." Might work.
Click to expand...
My very first flatbed - a 300 dpi HP SCSI thing - was great for
scanning such photos. The newer ones I've tried are terrible.
(I haven't tried it on the latest.)

The difference relates to how the original is illuminated. IMO
 
Bart said:
Depending on the uniqueness of the image, soak in distilled water with
a little wetting agent. Run off excess water and carefully place on
the glass platen. Dry the image in a low dust environment after
scanning. If you have a lot of this type of originals, you may also
attempt to use "Kami" mounting fluid:
e.g. <http://www.kami-produkte.de/english/sc.html>.
Wipe the platen clean after use.

Alternatively, for a less invasive method, you might want to scan the
image twice, rotating it 180 degrees between scans. Then in Photoshop,
align the two layers and blend with "Darker" blending mode. Alignment
may be more accurate if you scan at a higher than otherwise needed
resolution (up to native scanner resolution), and reduce to final
pixel dimensions when you're done.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll keep it in mind next time the problem arises.
 
George E. Cawthon wrote:

Certainly you can use a digital camera to take a
photo of the print. Set the lights at 45 degrees,
one one each side and you should get rid of the
speckles but at the expense of resolution.
Click to expand...

Sure, if I had the lights and the lens and was confident in my
on-camera settings. :) Maybe eventually, but I'll leave this to the
pros for now. Thanks for your other advice.

false_dmitrii
 
Djon said:
Also, in Photoshop and perhaps Elements and Paintshop there is a filter
called "despeckle." Might work.
Click to expand...

I've never liked this for noise removal; it seems better suited for
descreening. I tried it here and, as expected, it doesn't do much for
the larger-than-one-pixel flare spots. However, it does do a
reasonable job of suppressing the grid pattern of the matte as it
manifests in the scan. Softens the image only slightly. So a viable
option in a pinch.

false_dmitrii
 
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