Scanning & Copying
I use a Nikon Coolscan 9000ED to scan 35mm, 6x6cm and 6x9 cm originals at a resolution of 4000ppi.
Colour slides and negatives or black & white chromagenic film can often benefit from Digital Ice dust removal technology. This uses infra-red to detect dust and other surface defects on the film. These have specific characteristics when viewed under IR illumination, which enables the software to identify and replace them with adjacent unaffected. I use it at the minimum setting, which usually provides immaculate scans.
Cost: 35mm £5.00 6x6 £7.00 6x9 £9.00
Note: Unfortunately this technology is not compatible with traditional, silver based, black & white film.
Note: If your original is in the APS (advanced photo system) format, I will be unable to scan it. I would suggest using Jessops, ask for a hi-res scan, it will take a week and cost about £5.00. I have found the result to be excellent.
I use an A4 flat-bed scanner at 1200dpi. This is adequate for the work I normally do.
Cost: £5.00 each
Note: Occasionally some types of photos from the 1970's & 80's have a stippled finish which does not scan well, if your print is of this type I will advise you before proceeding.
For larger originals and art-work such as oil paintings or water colours, I use a 10mp digital camera & studio flash.
With oil -paintings reflections are often a problem. Polarized lighting techniques can overcome this, but tend to produce flat and rather lifeless looking results. If the image is reproduced digitally on canvas, and subsequently varnished, the effect is mitigated somewhat as the texture of the weave re-introduces subtle texture and hi-lights of it's own. If the image is reproduced on paper this will not be the case. A compromise between allowing and suppressing reflections may be needed.
I use an industry standard GretagMacbeth ColorChecker SG chart to aid in accurate colour reproduction, this also enables me to produce a file with an ICC colour profile, enabling other ICC aware facilities to reproduce the image consistently but not necessarily accurate to the original.
Accurate colour reproduction is not a simple process, many of the hues available to a traditional artist are not reproducible using todays printers, intense saturated colours will not reproduce well, saturated greens are particularly problematic. I will advise you on any likely problems when I see your original.
Oils and acrylics will be more likely to suffer from this problem than water colours.
Largest original A2
Cost: £25.00 each