Scanning & Editing Technical Research

 

Titling Files: firstname_lastname_title 

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) 

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Everyday use, sharing and storing lots of images in smaller file sizes 

Advantages:  

- Compressed format = small file size 

- Widely compatible = works with all devices and software

- Decent quality for casual use 

Disadvantages: 

- Lossy compression = every time you save, quality reduces

- Can cause blurry edges or blocky artifacts in detailed areas 

- Less flexibility for post-processing = editing can degrade image further 

* Avoid re-saving multiple times- degrades image each time 

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) 

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Archival, professional use, or high-quality editing 

Advantages: 

- Lossless = no compression or quality loss 

- Supports multiple layers = useful for professional editing

- Can store extra metadata = color profiles and layers 

- Best format for printing and high-resolution work 

Disadvantages: 

- Huge file sizes = can be 10x larger than JPEG

- Not all programs/ websites support TIFF

- No transparent background support 

* Archival or editing scanning use TIFF at 600-1200 DPI

* On some scanners can save TIFF as compressed (LZW) which reduces size without losing quality

* Convert TIFF to JPEG later if needed for sharing

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) 

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Images with transparent backgrounds or simple web use 

Advantages: 

- Lossless compression (no quality loss) 

- Supports transparent backgrounds (unlike JPEG)

- Good balance between quality and file size 

Disadvantages: 

- Larger than JPEG (smaller than TIFF)

- Not ideal for high-quality printing = color limitations

- Slower to load 

* PNG for scanning images with text = better clarity 

* Best for digital-only use = web graphics or digital archives 

* If scanning black and white line art or illustrations PNG preserves sharp edges better than JPEG

Additional Tips

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* Scan as TIFF and convert to JPEG/ PNG for sharing 

* Scanning old photos = use 600+ DPI in TIFF for restoration

* Avoid color loss = if using JPEG keep compression at 90%+ 

*Need to reduce size without losing quality = convert TIFF to PNG

Basic Photoshop Workflow - Editing Scanned Photos 

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1. Open Scanned Photo: 

- To launch Photoshop and go to File - OPEN > select scanned image 

Reminders: 

* JPEG opens fast, loses quality over time

*TIFF best for preserving quality but takes up more space

* If photo is huge, go to Image - Image size > reside it to a manageable resolution (3000 x 2000 pixels for web use) 

2. Work Non-Destructively with Layers: 

* layers let you edit without ruining the original photo 

- In the Layers Panel (right side) right click image layer and choose Duplicate Layer

- Hide original by clicking the eye icon next to it 

- Always edit the duplicate layer = this way if you mess up you still have the original 

HOW TO UNDO MISTAKES: 

- Press Ctrl+Z to undo last action 

- If you need to go back further, use Edit > step backward multiple times 

3. Crop and Straighten Your Image 

- Select the Crop Tool (shortcut: C)

- Drag to crop out unwanted edges 

- If your image is tilted, use Straighten Tool (inside the Crop menu) 

4. Adjust Brightness, Contrast and Colors 

Quick Fix: 

- Go to Image - Auto Tone/ Auto Contrast for fast improvement 

More Control: 

- Go to Image - Adjustments - Brightness/ Contrast to tweak manually 

- Adjust Levels (Ctrl+L/ Cmd+L) to balance highlights and shadows 

- Adjust Color Balance (Ctrl+B/ Cmd+B) to correct color issues 

* Faded Photos? = Increase Contrast and Saturation 

* Too yellow? = Reduce yellow in Color Balance

* Too dark? = Increase Brightness or Exposure 

5. Remove Dust, Scratches and Blemishes 

Fixing Flaws: 

- Spot Healing Brush (Shortcut: J) = click on dust, scratches, or small stains to make them disappear 

- Clone Stamp Tool (Shortcut: S) = Copy and paste nearby pixels to fix large damage areas 

* Zoom in (Ctrl+Plus /Cmd+Plus) to see details clearly 

* If you overdo it, press Ctrl+Z to undo or use History Panel (Window- History) to step back 

6. Sharpen Details

- Go to Filter - Sharpen - Unsharp Mask 

- Increase Amount slightly (50-150%) to enhance details 

- Adjust Radius (0.5-1.5 pixels) for a natural look 

7. Save in the Right Format 

- Go to File - Save As and choose the right format

Reminders: 

* JPEG: 1-5MB good for web - 10MB+ for high-quality 

* TIFF: 20MB+ = can be huge only use if necessary 

* PNG: 5-10MB for web with transparency 

Added Tips and Tricks: 

* Colorize a Black and White photo = Brush Tool and paint on a new layer with Blending Mode set to color 

* Remove Background = Select - Modify - Expand and refine edges with the Eraser Tool 

Adding Borders- Canvas VS Image Size Method - Add 2-inch border around a 16 x 20 inch image at 300 DPI (4x5 Film) 

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1. Check current image size 

- Go to Image - Image size - Ensure it is 16x20 inches at 300 DPI - TURN OFF RESAMPLE = keeps resolution - select OK

2. Select Entire Image 

- Press Command+A - Command+C/ Ctrl+C

3. Create a new file 

- Go to File - New- Set width: 24 inches height: 20 inches - Resolution: 300 DPI- Background color = border color - select OK

4. Paste Original Image 

- Press Command+V /Ctrl+V to paste - Move Tool (V) to center it

Final Checklist Before Saving: 

- Work on duplicate layer to protect original 

- Undo any mistakes using Ctrl+Z or History Panel

- Save the right format for your needs 

- Brightness, contrast, and sharpness balanced?