The basics

Fixing common scanning problems
ADVANCED PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 5.0 FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
Use the guide below to help diagnose and solve scanning problems.
1. Marks on the picture
Problem: The photograph contains marks on the surface after scanning.
Cause: This usually occurs because of dust or scratches on the glass plate on the top of the scan-
ner or on the photograph or negative.
Solution: Clean the glass plate and photograph carefully before placing and scanning your picture.
If you still have marks use a retouching tool to remove them (see the Eliminating blemishes
technique in Chapter 8 for more details).
2. Color picture appears black and white
Problem: After scanning a color picture it appears black and white on screen.
Cause: The ‘original’ or ‘media’ option in the scanner software is set to black and white and not
color.
Solution: Re-scan the picture making sure that the software is set to color original or color
photograph.
3. Picture is too bright
Problem: The picture looks too bright overall. Light areas of the photograph appear to be completely
white with no details.
Cause: The picture has been scanned with the wrong ‘exposure’ or ‘brightness’ setting.
Solution: Re-scan the picture, but this time move the brightness or exposure slider towards the
dark end of the scale before scanning.
4. Picture is too dark
Problem: The picture looks too dark overall. There is no detail in the shadow parts of the photograph.
Cause: The picture has been scanned with the wrong ‘exposure’ or ‘brightness’ setting.
Solution: Re-scan the picture, but this time slide the Brightness or Exposure slider towards the
light end of the scale before scanning.
5. Picture looks washed out
Problem: The picture has no vibrant colors and looks washed out.
Cause: The contrast control in the scanner software is set too low.
Solution: Re-scan the photograph altering the scanner’s contrast setting to a higher value.
6. Writing is back to front
Problem: The message on a billboard in the picture is back to front.
Cause: The negative or slide was placed into the scanner back to front.
Solution: Turn the film or slide over and scan again.
Book resources at: www.adv-elements.com
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SCANNER AND
CAMERA TECHNIQUES