More advanced scanner software enables you to correct the preview image for
brightness, contrast, and color balance. There could be several ways to make these
adjustments:
■ Slider bars for basic adjustments to brightness, contrast, and color.
■ Histogram controls for precise adjustments to brightness, contrast, and color.
■ Curve controls for complex adjustments to brightness, contrast, and color.Most scanner software will show changes in the Preview window immediately.Determining the Samples per Inch of a Scan
Unless you have a powerful computer, unlimited RAM, and unlimited disk storage
for your files, you’ll need to limit the size of your scans. The scans shouldn’t have
more resolution (number of pixels) than you need for the task at hand. The follow-
ing steps show you how to produce scans that have just enough resolution.- Determine the size (in inches) of the largest print you intend to make from
the image. For example, perhaps you intend to make a print measuring
10 ×15 inches. - Determine the cropped size (in inches) of the film or print to be scanned. For
example, if you are scanning a 35mm negative with no cropping, the size of
the scanned image is 1×1.5 inches. Some scanner software shows the dimen-
sions of the scan. With other scanners, you’ll need to measure the original
print or film.
Table 6.1 shows some typical magnifications from uncropped 35mm film.Table 6.1 Typical Magnifications from Uncropped 35mm Film
Final Output Approximate Magnification
for Scanned Negative Dimensions Required
An image in a print 12 inches + 8 inches 8 ×
An image on a monitor 6 inches + 4 inches 4 ×
A poster size image 48 inches + 32 inches 32 ×- Calculate the magnification (enlargement) by dividing the size of the final
print by the size of the scanned artwork. In this example, the 10×15 print
matches the shape of a 1×1.5-inch 35mm color slide. Fifteen inches divided
by 1.5 inches equals a magnification of 10.
76 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TODIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY