This process takes a digital scan of negative or positive film (usually negatives or slides) and produces a digital image that can be enhanced and/or printed, or supplied in its digital form.

I can scan most traditional film sizes, including 35mm (slide or film), medium and large format.

This service is not suitable for badly torn, scratched or damaged films, which should be booked in for a restoration service, so the scanning and repair can be tailored to the specific damage.

Within the simple scanning service there are three levels of scans and a choice of resolutions.  As film images are usually small, scanning these should normally be done at higher resolution to allow for enlarging them.  You can also pick a suitable resolution.  To simply this I offer Web, Low, Medium and High Resolution.  I can scan at very high resolutions (12800 dpi) and that can be discussed if required.

Standard Scan

For all scanning levels, the media is cleaned with pressurised air (non-contact to avoid scratching) before being mounted in the scanner.  The result is automatically colour and back-light corrected and subjected to an automated digital dust removal process to eliminate to most prevalent dust particulate.  This is suitable for small prints or as digital files where the client wishes to perform their own balancing.

Examples are from positive slide film scans at medium resolution (2400 dpi).

Super-enlarging a section of the image exposes the artefacts present;

Scan and Correct

In addition to the processes of the Standard Scan, the images are then manually hand-corrected for a much wider array of processes that include correcting its dynamic range (of low-lights, shadows, mid-range to highlights), hand-colour and white balancing, contrast, exposure, hue, vibrancy and sharpness adjustments as well as any other fine tuning.  Any further obvious artefacts (missed by the first process) are hand-removed.

Super-enlarging a section of the image exposes the artefacts present;

Scan and Repair

This process is applied after Scan and Correct and only if it required and only to the amount it is required.  The price is a maximum price for the full process, but may in fact be less than the specified price if less of the 'Repair' stage is required.  This is only suitable for repairing the damage accrued over time for a properly cared for film media and is not appropriate for extensive damage beyond minor scratches and artefacts, which should be referred for assessment under the Restoration Service.

The Scan and Repair service is hand done per image and should remove the bulk or normally acquired damage and scratches (as in the example given).

Resolutions

All resolutions stated are for guide purposes only and may be varied.  The resolution is correct at the time of scanning but the image may be cropped to remove edges and straighten which will yield a slightly lower resolution on the finished image.

For the most part, Medium resolution is suitable for most scans.  The resolutions here are much higher for film media as they are generally enlarged and have to be able to accommodate this.

Web Resolution: 150 dpi, suitable for display on web pages after mild enlargement

Low Resolution: 360 dpi, suitable for printing at around the same size as the media, such as contact sheets.

Medium Resolution: 2400 dpi, suitable for moderate enlargement (around 8 times its original size)

High Resolution: 4800 dpi, suitable for enlarging considerably (around 16 times the original) but only suitable where the original is of high enough quality.