[filmscanners] RE: Scanner image adjustments vs. Photoshop

["michael shaffer" <michael@shaffer.net>]

Bob writes ...

> What are the pro's and con's of making image adjustments in Vuescan or
> Silverfast versus making them later in Photoshop, using a raw scan?

  The pro's are the adjustments are made with higher bit-depth precision
(e.g., highbits, 10bit, 12, 14, 16) before converting to 8bit.  If however,
you scan directly to highbit and work with PS's highbit tools, then there
are no pro's.  That is, most people prefer the tools' interfaces provided by
PS over the scanning software ... the only exception being Silverfast.

> I have the impression that using a brightness adjustment on a preview
> scan results in a physically different exposure for the final scan,
> obviously something that can't be done later in the workflow.  But for
> all the other image characteristics, can one make adjustments just as
> well in Photoshop?

  The Vuescan 'brightness' adjustment does not adjust 'exposure'.  Note, you
can lock the exposure and still adjust brightness.  All adjustments are made
just as well in PS ... although PS doesn't have a tool for getting the
'white balance' correct (i.e., not unless you have something "absolutely
white" or "absolutely neutral" in the image.

> I am using an SS4000, sometimes with Vuescan, sometimes with Polacolor
> insight 5.5, but always followed by tinkering in Photoshop before
> printing.

  If you always tinker with PS, then don't spend too much time getting it
right with the scanner software ... use them for getting the color balance
in the ballpark only.

my C$0.02 & cheerios ... shAf  :o)
Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland
www.micro-investigations.com (in progress)

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