One4All said:
Thanks for responding. Right now, I can't afford these services. Once I
can establish there is a market for my images, NancyScans, et.al., will
become viable. BTW, NancyScans is very good.
You might want to investigate stock agencies. If you have enough images,
or a particular large selection similar type images, you might be able to
get the interest of a stock agency. Be aware that market is full of many
images from many photographers.
I guess my basic question is, "Can I produce a file from a negative or
transparency, scanned on an Epson 4870 flatbed scanner, that will meet
most commercial needs, short of highest-quality art standards?
If the printed sizes are smaller than full page, or going onto newsprint,
then the Epson should work okay.
Or,
maybe I scan images to be accessed on a Website that, if there is a
buyer, NancyScans, et.al., will be able to produce whatever quality the
buyer wants, given a file scanned at the highest settings on the 4870.
Definitely, that Epson is more than enough to display images on a website.
The idea behind NancyScans is that they handle the scanning, printing,
delivery, and billing, then send you the check. It would be a good idea to
support something like that through your own website. A good website to
preview your images will only help potential image buyers.
Not sure what this means. I really am into archiving my images (family
& commercial). I need to get everything onto CD-R or DVD-R. Then, and
only then, I'll make prints for family, and prints and files for
commercial purposes. I'm beginning to think, "For commercial purposes,
set the 4870 to scan at 48-bit depth and maximum resolution for 300 dpi
output, regardless of file size, and burn these images to DVD-R's."
Okay, a better example: you scanned at maximum quality, and then someone
wants to use that image on newsprint. Newsprint has a high dot gain, and
cannot handle much saturation. The file would need to be converted to work
with newsprint, to avoid muddy colours, bleed through, etc. The time
required to alter the file for that use, is not much different from just
scanning it with the intention of going to newsprint.
This also brings up the idea that a perfect scan will not need adjustments
in PhotoShop. Working with lower end gear, as many of us have done, means
time correcting and optimizing for printing, or time to match the original
film. SilverFast helps a bit with some low end gear, like that Epson, but
you still will not always know how the image will be printed later, unless
you are scanning specifically for a certain printer.
It might seem I stress that a bit. However, in about 90% of images, you
might be just fine sending off an RGB best guess scan. The printing shop,
or the designer at the company requesting the image file, will often
adjust the image to match the printer, and quite often the results are
what you expected. If that approximately 10% error rate bothers you, then
learn a bit more, and be more careful.
This contradicts my earlier thinking:
page.
True. But, I guess to be on the safe side, I ought to scan at the
maximum settings to cover all my bases. One can always come down in
adjusting a file, but very risky up-sampling.
True, resampling upwards never is the best choice, especially when it is
possible to scan at that higher resolution.
When it comes down to it, send the negative/transparency to a scanning
service.
I still use that option for some of my work. Saving your time can be as
important as getting very high quality.
quality.
Point well taken.
Of course, you mean 300 dpi for output resolution.
Everyone uses dpi and ppi somewhat interchangeably, though the
relationship is 1:1. The terms are different, with ppi often used for file
characteristics, and dpi used for printed output. Rather than correct
anyone, I think the terms are interchangeable enough that people
understand when you use either.
large high quality printing, then
No, I don't have 1000 images that I need to buy an Imacon. I'm not a
professional photographer, but one who thinks he's taken some pretty
damn good images over a lifetime, and your advice has helped me a lot
as to some options that can balance my vanity needs with marketplace
realities.
Well, looking into selling your images is a move towards being a
professional. While probably not a full time choice, you could go
semi-pro. Early choices can be made on spending levels. After you get some
sales, and it seems more like a job, then look into what is available.
Best of luck to you.
Ciao!
Gordon Moat
A G Studio
<
http://www.allgstudio.com>
