Dust

[Robert Peirce]

Epson 2450 scanner.

While it is fresh in my mind, what do you do about dust? I was scanning
and printing some photos with a lot of really dark colors. When I
opened them in Elements 2.0, there were little white specks over
everything. I had to spend a huge amount of time "spotting" them.

 

[-]

About all you can do is to use a good dust free cloth to really clean the
glass bed before scanning and then use compressed air to blow the dust off
of the print. (I must admit that I have used a soft cloth to dust the print
sometimes when it has been really gunked up - just watch out for
scratching.) After that, it is then "clone tool time" in Photoshop (or
buy a newer scanner with ICE for prints).

Doug

 

[Mendel Leisk]

Epson 2450 scanner.

While it is fresh in my mind, what do you do about dust? I was scanning
and printing some photos with a lot of really dark colors. When I
opened them in Elements 2.0, there were little white specks over
everything. I had to spend a huge amount of time "spotting" them.

This photoshop tutorial has helped me a lot in dealing with isolated,
small diameter dust:

http://www.computer-darkroom.com/tutorials/tutorial_5_1.htm

 

[Robert Peirce]

This photoshop tutorial has helped me a lot in dealing with isolated,
small diameter dust:

http://www.computer-darkroom.com/tutorials/tutorial_5_1.htm

I can "spot" dust fine. I am trying to keep from scanning it in the
first place! It can be very frustrating, especially when you have a
very dark background, like tuxedos.

 

[CSM1]

I can "spot" dust fine. I am trying to keep from scanning it in the
first place! It can be very frustrating, especially when you have a
very dark background, like tuxedos.

Cleaning dust on prints can be easy or hard, depending of how the prints
were handled.

If the prints have been kept in a cool dry place, meaning low humidity, then
first try brushing gently with a NEW paint brush (Camel hair if you can find
one).

If still dusty, wipe gently with a lens cloth (get at your optical shop).

If may be easier to just use clone stamp tool in Photoshop.

If the print has 'gunk' stuck to it, then maybe washing the print in cool
running water for 2-3 minutes and then a bath of Wetting Agent . Wetting
Agent is used in darkrooms to help prevent water spots. Squeegee, hang up to
dry (clothes pins on a line work great), or use a hair dryer.

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?page=searchresults&searchinfo=Wetting Agent

I used Kodak Photo-Flo 200 Photographic Wetting Agent for years.

 

[ggull]

I can "spot" dust fine. I am trying to keep from scanning it in the
first place! It can be very frustrating, especially when you have a
very dark background, like tuxedos.

In addition to suggestions for cleaning the surface of the glass and the
print, check to see if there is dust on the INSIDE (underside) of the glass.
This is a common problem with the 2450.

Officially, you have to send it back to Epson to have it cleaned, but
instructions have been posted here and I think are on the web. I haven't
tried it (yet. Try googling comp.periphs.scanners and the web, and if
you don't have any luck I'll try to dig out the info.

<pipe dream>
I'm wondering if it might be possible to scan the same print twice, moving
it on the glass between scans. Then align the two images as layers and use
the good parts of one scan to 'spot' the other.
<\pipe dream>

 

[Mendel Leisk]

I can "spot" dust fine. I am trying to keep from scanning it in the
first place! It can be very frustrating, especially when you have a
very dark background, like tuxedos.

Good for you! Still, check out the tutorial. I found it nigh
impossible to eliminate dust, and the method explained in the tutorial
should get you through the spotting chore more efficiently.

Cheers, Mendel