How can I get rid of reflection during scan?

[stilllearning]

I haven't been using Silverfast very long, and am just starting to scan
some very old photos (very slightly warped).

When I scan them (48 bit color, 300 or 600 dpi) with no adjustments to
settings other than selecting the end points of the histogram for
light/dark, what I see is an effect in part of the scans that looks
like I look a photo with a camera with the flash on and there is the
reflection of the flash bouncing back.

The photos are extremely fragile, and I'm not sure if I can compensate
for this with the settings, or if the only fix is putting additional
weight on the photo to completely flatten it when in the scanner. You
can see the warping of the photo in the scan (due to age, which I
actually kind of like and would like to keep if possible).

Any advice would be a great help. I'm using Silverfast Ai software with
my Epson scanner.
Thank you-

 

[CSM1]

I haven't been using Silverfast very long, and am just starting to scan
some very old photos (very slightly warped).

When I scan them (48 bit color, 300 or 600 dpi) with no adjustments to
settings other than selecting the end points of the histogram for
light/dark, what I see is an effect in part of the scans that looks
like I look a photo with a camera with the flash on and there is the
reflection of the flash bouncing back.

The photos are extremely fragile, and I'm not sure if I can compensate
for this with the settings, or if the only fix is putting additional
weight on the photo to completely flatten it when in the scanner. You
can see the warping of the photo in the scan (due to age, which I
actually kind of like and would like to keep if possible).

Any advice would be a great help. I'm using Silverfast Ai software with
my Epson scanner.
Thank you-

Would placing a glass or weight on top of the old photographs, crack them?
Are they that fragile?

Warping can be compensated for in Photoshop, but it is a very labor
intensive job. And has a very steep learning curve.

The reflection from the scanning light can not be removed without flattening
the photo on the glass. You can't change the angle of the light. You can
change the angle of the photo, making the wedge shape worse.

The other method is to photograph them with proper lighting and a Digital
camera.
http://www.carlmcmillan.com/lightingforcopying.htm

and
http://www.carlmcmillan.com/how_to_copy_with_digital_camera.htm

 

[tomm42]

I haven't been using Silverfast very long, and am just starting to scan
some very old photos (very slightly warped).

When I scan them (48 bit color, 300 or 600 dpi) with no adjustments to
settings other than selecting the end points of the histogram for
light/dark, what I see is an effect in part of the scans that looks
like I look a photo with a camera with the flash on and there is the
reflection of the flash bouncing back.

The photos are extremely fragile, and I'm not sure if I can compensate
for this with the settings, or if the only fix is putting additional
weight on the photo to completely flatten it when in the scanner. You
can see the warping of the photo in the scan (due to age, which I
actually kind of like and would like to keep if possible).

Any advice would be a great help. I'm using Silverfast Ai software with
my Epson scanner.
Thank you-

Try to flatten the photo, may need you to gently put your hand on the
cover to add a little weight. Not too much as you don't want to crack
or deform the glass, but alittle weight generally solves the problem. I
always have the top cover closed to distribute the weight. If the print
is mounted on heavy mount board you may want to try to flatten the
print before scanning.

Tom

 

[stilllearning]

Thanks all -
will try flattening as much as possible. I don't *think* they will
crack...!

 

[tomm42]

Thanks all -
will try flattening as much as possible. I don't *think* they will
crack...!

I do this all the time, it takes a lot to break the glass on a good
scanner. But I have run into mount boards that are so old and stiff I
didn't feel comfortable with the pressure I was using. Then I would
stick the photos under a few big books over night and that helped.
Again spreading the weight also helps, stick a large magazine or book
over the print before you scan. If the problem is damaged photos that
just won't flatten because of multiple folds, photograph the image
using two lights equal distance on either side of the image, make sure
the light more than cover the image. Traditionally you set the lights
at 45 degrees, but with a damaged photo you may want to vary the angle.

Tom