What's the best way to photo/scan flat stuff like plans, posters, catalogs, etc?

[Indianna]

Hi all!

I have come across some stuff that might be useful to Playmodb as well as of interest here.  For example, I have a U.S. Playmobil train catalog from 1991 that has some interesting photos, a summary of sets, and simple layout plans.  From the same set there was a different European catalog (two copies: one in German and one in French.)  I bet lots of people have stuff like this lying around and, like me, don't know the best way to make images to post online or to send electronically.  So . . .  I was hoping that folks who are proficient at this sort of thing might share some of their tips and tricks.   

I have done a bit of experimenting already and these are some of the problems I am trying to solve:

• Scan or photograph?
• If you scan, how do you deal with items that are larger than the scanner bed?
• If you photograph, how do you set up the camera?
• What do you do about wrinkles, folds, staple holes, etc.?
• How do you keep things nice and flat?
• What is the best resolution to use?
• What about color settings?

I have a scanner (not very new) and a pretty decent digital camera and tripod.  I can take minimally competent pictures of 3D items and even "real life" but the flat, sometimes shiny, stuff is stumping me.     Any advice would be most welcome (and possibly rewarded by some new (and hopefully interesting) images to look at!)

Thanks in advance!
- Anne

[Little Jo]

It depends a little bit on your personal quality demand and time you want invest.

• I prefer scanning.
• In case the items a larger than the scanner bed I scan it stepwise (e.g. all for corners with a little bit overlapping) and "rearrange" it afterwards in my photo software (give all the scan pieces the same orrientation and put it together to one large scan by using the overlapping pieces as adjustment to make all parts fit).
• But I use this method only for paperwork. Large boxes that doesn't fit on the scanner bed I photograph. In this case I place the box on a table and choose a neutral background (so it can be removed easily afterwards by photomanipulation). The camera I put on a tripod. I choose a large focal length (and go away according to make the box fit to the pic) so that the distortion at the edges is less. I use no flash but indirect lightning; I move around the light source a little bit so that less reflections at the box are visible. Most times this could be achieved when light source is quite large or in a nearly 90 degree angle (a little bit less) between camera, item, and light source. No reflections also can be produced with a white cube in which you place your item and lightning will shine thru the cube walls, but this is some special equipment that's necessary additionally.
• About wrinkles, folds, staple holes? It depends. If I just want scan the plan, I do nothing. Wrinkles are pressed down a little bit by the scanner lid. If I want a high quality scan, I iron the piece of paper and scan it the best way that's possible. Afterwards digital optimisation is started: wrinkles and folds/staple holes are removed electronically with an image manipulation software. In case of black & white scans it's more easy: scan it with your highest possible resolution in just black and white; most of the wrinkles/folds are removed automatically (and the remaining ones can be removed quite easily); play around a little bit with the threshold settings to get an optimal result
• Nice and flat things: as I said by the scanner lid (sometimes putting a little bit pressure manually on the lid) or by ironing. Another idea I got but never tried: when making a photo put your item under a piece of nonreflecting glas; this should hold all flat.
• Those times when storage got quite expensive most times I used highest resolution possible because you can get better results when optimizing your scan/pic afterwards in an image manipulation software and then scale it down to the desired resolution/size. If quality isn't an issue and I just want to conserve information I most times scan with 200 DPI (e.g. all my receipts, or the Playmobil plans; b.t.w. I scan my PM plans directly into PDF documents so I have one plan in one document and there is no need for heavy folder creations).
• I use no special color settings (apart from the fact that according to the source and the desired result I select black/white, greytone, color mode), furthermore I turn off the automated tonal value adjustment offered by my scanner. If there is a mismatch with the colors I correct it afterwards the the image manipulation software.

Hope this helped.

[Indianna]

Thanks so much, Jochen! 

That's a lot of really good and useful information!  I like the idea of scanning sections and then combining the images - I have Photoshop Elements and I think it will support that sort of operation.  I am mostly dealing with 2 dimensional paper items right now - catalogs, plans, and posters - so that should work fine. 

I have had OK success with set boxes using the digital camera and tripod (and even a home-made light box) but those photos were just for ebay purposes.  For more long-term archival purposes I would like to improve my technique in photographing boxes.  Your photos are always so beautiful, Jo - I hope eventually to come close to that level of quality!

Now I must get busy and see how well I can do.      I am sure I will have more questions!   

- Anne

[Little Jo]

I am sure I will have more questions!   

Just ask. If I have an answer, it will posted here