Digital Image Scanners for Photography

Another tool useful in the photography business is the digital scanner. You will want to understand these, since they are your interface to non-digital imagery. There are a number of choices, and styles, though the thing that really matters is the resolution it supports for you. And of course how well it scans at it's resolution. Resolution will be figured in pixels per inch (ppi) or more commonly dots per inch (dpi).

Scanners are useful beyond the darkroom with existing photos. They make it possible to get the pictures or anything else on paper into your computer. From there you can begin enhancing them with your editing software for a nearly any purpose. Then of course you will usually print out the picture afterwards, or use them elsewhere. Image scanners actually use light and it's reflection to scan the photo or other document you put into it.

Something else to consider when looking at scanners is how fast they scan things. A document (say 8.5" x 11") scanning at a very high dpi (say 3200) on some older models may take 20 minutes. On higher end and newer models in general, it should take much less time.

The 2 types of scanners that should concern you are flatbed, and film scanners. Flatbeds integrate a transparent hood to put your document on then a cover over it. Then you have it scan the photo and now you have it on your computer. With the right software they may also be useful with negatives and slides for acquiring working digital images. 3200 dots per inch on a flatbed scanner should be adequate for nearly all your photographic needs that can be done with a flatbed scanner. These can usually be found for less than $100.

Though for those in the photography field, the best scanners are the film scanners, as they are specifically built for your business. They are short of some features found in flatbeds. For one they are sized for photos and film, rather than general purpose documents. It works direct with film only (mostly 35mm). Other films are supported as well.

You might actually consider both as each has its uses, and the combined abilities may give you the best flexibility you can find. Flatbeds can scan 3D photos, for example which the film scanner will not. Yet the film scanner is more productive with film.

Back to the topic of resolution, this will be similar to some of the considerations of resolution of your digital camera. The maximum resolution of the scanner will determine how large your photos can be blown up to and still have quality. For printed photography this will need to be quite high, whereas for the World Wide Web, nearly all images are 72dpi so they look decent in the web browser, yet load fast too. Higher resolution equates to larger image files (JPG, GIF, PNG, etc).

For quality pictures for large pictures, magazines, etc, you will need higher resolution than that needed for the internet. Often 300dpi will do, though more may be needed for some applications. Film scanners scan at about 4000dpi. Editing programs, such as Adobe Photoshop enable you to lower the resolution of images to the size you need, so higher to start doesn't hurt. Another feature found in Photoshop is negative image, which can turn a negative into a correctly colored image.

If you haven't already considered resolutions for your camera, now is a good time. You will need a medium to high resolution camera to have the same benefits that scanners give you. Between these and a few other accessories, you will find that you have everything you need to excel in digital photography.

For further information on resolution, scanners, and camera you will want to search the internet. There are many sites with information, including those from the manufacturers of the cameras, scanners, and accessories. When done, you should be ready to actually spend on this equipment with the wisest choices you can.