Digitizing old newspapers
Dec 10, 2016 20:50:03 #
My daughter, in charge of the local history room at our public library, has been given two old scrapbooks of 70+/- year old newspaper clippings. These are very fragile and discolored. She wants to have them digitized for long-term reference. I understand that scanning them is not wise because of the intense light used. I tried to photograph them hand-held (!) and, shall we say, "disaster?" Not only did the lights I used not illuminate evenly, camera shake and shallow depth of field came into play, and the color (yellow-brown) of the paper was intensified. I know that I have to play with the white balance and get some kind of copy stand. I'd like to know what our highly intelligent, experienced, and knowledgeable members of UHH have to say. Thanks up front.
Dec 10, 2016 21:12:55 #
revhen wrote:
My daughter, in charge of the local history room a... (show quote)
Either a camera or a scanner is going to require "intense light". Using a camera that does well with a higher ISO, and using flash as opposed to continuous light, will reduce the exposure. Also it is likely that using a camera will reduce the amount of handling, as the clippings can probably remain in the scrapbook.
You do need a copy stand. You need a good macro lens that has a flat field of view.
What is your budget? What brand of camera are you leaning towards? Do you have a macro lens? Do you have at least two flash units? And how large is the biggest item to be recorded?
Warning: Practice first, but on something else!
Dec 10, 2016 21:23:27 #
Apaflo wrote:
Either a camera or a scanner is going to require &... (show quote)
Thanks for your immediate and perceptive response.
1. I have discovered that the light of scanners is far more intense and closer than incandescent light held at a distance from the subject of the picture.
2. I use a Canon 70D and I can set the ISO higher
3. I do have a macro lens.
4. Most copy stands have attached lights.
5. One of the problems which you ask about is the size. The pages of the scrapbooks are 11x14 which eliminates most scanners to start with.
6. Good advice re practice -- which I have already violated! In future I'll do so.
Thanks again.
Dec 10, 2016 21:30:51 #
Apaflo wrote:
Either a camera or a scanner is going to require &... (show quote)
I don't understand why intense light would be required for a camera. Utilizing a steady tripod will allow you to take a picture in incredibly dim light.
Dec 10, 2016 21:38:00 #
set up a classic vertical copy stand with a couple color balanced lamps with diffusers.
Use your 70D, macro lens and filters.
Batch process and convert to B/W where appropriate.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Your problem is going to be getting the exposure correct.
Use a monitor tied to your camera with an HDMI cable so you have a large image to review
on every shot and can make corrections on your original shots.
It will save a bunch of PP time later.
Focus manually using the monitor.
Use your 70D, macro lens and filters.
Batch process and convert to B/W where appropriate.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Your problem is going to be getting the exposure correct.
Use a monitor tied to your camera with an HDMI cable so you have a large image to review
on every shot and can make corrections on your original shots.
It will save a bunch of PP time later.
Focus manually using the monitor.
Dec 10, 2016 21:38:36 #
revhen wrote:
My daughter, in charge of the local history room a... (show quote)
I assume you want a monochrome effect. You're obviously going to have to use a filter (or combination thereof) to increase the contrast. You can do this in PP. a violet or UV should remove the yellowing, but it will take an orange filter to remove the brown, which defeats the purpose of the violet filter. Maybe there is a way to combine or stack individual copies, but this is beyond my expertise. Are you shooting raw or JPEG (I assume the former)? For practice, you can print out an ordinary document and artificially age it. There are several techniques that work rapidly. Google "artificially aging paper" (without quotes) and you will find many techniques, including some YouTube instructions. Good luck.
Dec 10, 2016 21:42:34 #
Do you have a tripod that you can invert the main stem?
Set it up to shoot straight down between the tripod legs, have a light on both sides at about 45 degrees.
I did that for a bunch of prints years ago. It worked well.
Set it up to shoot straight down between the tripod legs, have a light on both sides at about 45 degrees.
I did that for a bunch of prints years ago. It worked well.
Dec 10, 2016 21:46:31 #
oldtigger wrote:
set up a classic vertical copy stand with a couple color balanced lamps with diffusers.
Use your 70D, macro lens and filters.
Batch process and convert to B/W where appropriate.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Use your 70D, macro lens and filters.
Batch process and convert to B/W where appropriate.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Loved your reply. Interesting thought about filters. In my initial attempt I did convert to B&W. Your final advice reminds me of Fats Waller's wisdom: “One never knows, do one?” -- Fats Waller “So easy, when you know how.” -- Fats Waller “If you don't know what it is, don't mess with it.” -- Fats Waller
Dec 10, 2016 21:47:45 #
Mogul wrote:
I assume you want a monochrome effect. You're obv... (show quote)
Some great ideas. Thanks.
Dec 10, 2016 21:49:01 #
Longshadow wrote:
Do you have a tripod that you can invert the main stem?
Set it up to shoot straight down between the tripod legs, have a light on both sides at about 45 degrees.
I did that for a bunch of prints years ago. It worked well.
Set it up to shoot straight down between the tripod legs, have a light on both sides at about 45 degrees.
I did that for a bunch of prints years ago. It worked well.
Now there's something I didn't think of. I have a tripod. I'll have to see if I can invert the main stem. Thanks.
Dec 10, 2016 21:51:29 #
A comment: My faith in fellow UHHers has not been incorrect. Some great ideas in just a few minutes.
Dec 10, 2016 22:07:15 #
revhen wrote:
My daughter, in charge of the local history room a... (show quote)
Many years ago, I used my camera (film) to copy photos from my family. I had a Durst 301 enlarger that I used for a copy stand. I had to have a two or three inch long sleeve to most the camera far enough away from the post to copy many of the photos. I had a friend make an extension with a 3/8 diameter femail thread on one end and a 1/4-20 male thread on the other end. If I remember correctly the total length was about 3 inches. It worked great. It held my camera rock steady and moved it far enough away from the enlarger post to copy an 11 X 14 print.
I used a couple of flood lights to light the print. It worked great. I suggest that you look for an old enlarger, should be readily availble, and use it as a copy stand. Of course you could use a good tripod but that could also complicate the set up.
Dec 10, 2016 22:13:24 #
revhen wrote:
A comment: My faith in fellow UHHers has not been incorrect. Some great ideas in just a few minutes.
Yeah, we're the best.
Dec 10, 2016 22:14:42 #
Dec 11, 2016 05:47:46 #
Look into EquaLight software.
You shoot a plain white surface (paper) using your copy setup, ant the program creates an algorythm to correct for all color and brightness variations introduced by lighting, camera, and lens.
The correction can then be batch applied to all photos shoe under the same conditions.
I suggest you use regular old fashion light bulbs, their warm color will help "whiten" the aged newsprint.
Polarizing filters on camera and lights, if the scrapbooks have plastic page coverings.
Use mirror lockup, f/8, lowest ISO, RAW.
You shoot a plain white surface (paper) using your copy setup, ant the program creates an algorythm to correct for all color and brightness variations introduced by lighting, camera, and lens.
The correction can then be batch applied to all photos shoe under the same conditions.
I suggest you use regular old fashion light bulbs, their warm color will help "whiten" the aged newsprint.
Polarizing filters on camera and lights, if the scrapbooks have plastic page coverings.
Use mirror lockup, f/8, lowest ISO, RAW.
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