Paintings

if its being washed out in the scanner, you'll have to tweak the color after. most things look better in person. but you'll want a calibrated screen. and tweak the colors until they look true again.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

I often find that the colors seem a bit washed out or faded when I scan, compared to the way the work looks in person. Like Mike said I just adjust them a little until the look as close to the original as possible. Usually just need to adjust the brightness/contrast.

Thanks Mike but what is a calibrated screen

Connie,

You maybe using the scanner on some type of settings, where it's reduces the contrast and saturation. Easiest thing to do, is add some saturation and see if that helps.

A calibrated monitor, is one that has been adjusted by a device that you attach to your monitor screen. You really don't need one yet, just play with the saturation and see if that helps.

Rich

Piccasa is a very easy to use Photo editing program where you can play with your color a bit.

there are devices called calibrators, they control the colors on the screen. the devices are a bit pricey, but its assurance the colors are correct, or at least closer. if you can get away with a gamma adjuster or just tweak the colors in the monitor, you can use that.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Mike thank you for your help! A calibrator where would I go online to just check out what they do? Alsowhat is a gamma adjuster and where could I surcharge this out? Thanks Mike!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=monitor+calibration

you'll have to review which one is best for you.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

My 2 cents

Do the best you can obviously.

In my experience, calibration hardware for your screen is usually calibrated in relation to the specific machinery you are using, the printer and scanner capabilities come into play here. Unless you have a very high quality screen as well it will have mixed results. It may look great on the screen but not print well at all. No printer has near the color gamut that your screen has. Since we have no connection with our printers so it's a bit of a crap shoot in my eyes. Some printers have 4 colors some 6 and so forth. The paper, canvas or whatever media come into play as well all display differently giving you a differing color space. We have little control here for fine tuning a quality printout because we can not calibrate to the printer and media which in reality must be done on a regular basis.

David thank you for the help also! My scanner has six colors. I bought a scanner awhile back called a artisan Epson. I have another as the first one went out after about three years. I was told at that time by Best Buy that they are not worth fixing. Then I bought my knew one that was around 100.00 I was happier with the first one but its cost was 300.00. Do you or anyone have knowledge of one that people have had good luck. This knew one eats ink like it has a food problem!

I would use a photo editor to correct imperfections in the images after they are scanned. You can correct contrast, color and other common problems this way. One problem I have run into with editors is, they often degrade the image making the final jpg file too small for print use.

I use Picasa for simple fixes. It's a free download from Google and pretty simple to use. Just keep an eye on the exported file size and make sure it's within your limits.

https://picasa.google.com/

Yes, I use Piscataway, it's so easy! How would I check the the file size after. What size should it be around? Also what res. Should I put the scanner on? Scanner is on 300

From the FFA FAQ's of resolution:

Don't worry about PPI (pixels per inch) or DPI (dots per inch)... at all. Those parameters are irrelevant. All that matters is that actual size of your image in pixels (e.g. 5,000 pixels x 4,000 pixels).

You want to capture your images with the highest resolution camera that you have access to. A 10 megapixel camera is better than a 5 megapixel camera. A 20 megapixel camera is better than a 10 megapixel camera.

Your camera is going to capture an image, and the image is going to be a certain size (e.g. 5,000 pixels x 4,000 pixels). You want to take that image, clean it up if necessary (e.g. adjusting lighting, cropping, etc.), and then upload it to Fine Art America.

DO NOT ENLARGE YOUR IMAGE IN PHOTOSHOP.

If the image comes out of your camera at 5,000 pixels x 4,000 pixels... then that's it. You can't make it any larger. If you try to enlarge it in Photoshop, your image will instantly become blurry, blocky, and unprintable. If someone places an order for your image and your image has been enlarged in Photoshop, the order will be rejected.

If you want a larger version of the image, then you need to buy a higher-resolution camera. That's the only way to increase the size of your images.

Robert I don't use camera I scan. Not good with cameras but I imagine that gives better colors and clear. Thanks though

As for file size I aim for between 15MB to 25MB(the max limit I believe), Anything below 15MB and I start to worry. But my intent is that my images can be printed in larger formats (36"x48" and up) if a buyer should choose. I believe if your intent is smaller, smaller files might work as well. As images become more and more enlarged they will become pixelated if the source file isn't detailed enough.

Also full disclosure: I am very new to this sight and trying to help. But I am still learning. There are certainly more knowledgeable people here
.

Unless I am mistaken, the source of your digital image file doesn't matter (camera or printer) to the printer. Though admittedly I have no idea how to gain a more detailed/larger file image from a scanner. Sorry

No Robert that's fine, I understand the concepts you are talking about. I have a hard time with cameras also because of a hand tremor. You did remind me though if I have a stubborn painting I could have my husband take with his new phone camera I guess. I'm saving all these hints and through winter will be going over everything. Thanks again!

Connie, set your scanner to 600 dpi instead of 300 to get a clearer, larger file.

Connie,

Yes, as Shana suggests 600 dpi or even more! And then edit that file size and reduce it, if needed for FAA,

Rich

Ok I have not tried this. How do you reduce after editing though. I use Pacisa

Connie,

You just go to "image size" or something called like that and resize it down,

Rich

I'm sorry Rich what file size does FAA want?

Connie,

Less than 25mb. I usually shoot for about 23-24mb, if it's a large file,jpeg only,

Rich

Ok, I just scanned a finished painting and it's looking real good. I edited and the size is 7..70 mb. Dimensions 6120+7920. Ok, I don't know what the dim. Is and how it applies. Since I'm using a scanner. I don't know how to check the 5,000 to whatever it is to see if it's correct. Word FAA check for me one just this one to see if everything is how they need? If so how do I let them know?

Connie,

This may be a bit complicated, but the file that was created, was probably a Tiff file, which is 16 bit and that file needs to be "saved" as a jpeg file, which is 8 bit and much smaller. You need to use some kind of editing software, like Photoshop Elements or GIMP, which is a free program and then save the image as a jpeg and see what size it becomes.

If you use ANY software, look to see where the "save as" choice is and that should let you convert the tiff file to a jpeg file and be about the right size,

Rich

Was a kept file. That I know. Here's a thought I have never had a painting turned down and after I check a few more knew down loads if they are editing true colors I think I'm good.. I will go over all my notes everyone has contributed again ti see if I will improve add. Thank you everyone and if anyone would want to offer more great. Means alot

Oh Rich, what size should the JPEG. Or will it just go to correct size. And again what size does it need to be.? Also do you know how to give all paintings I have the price all at once for our know prods. Like the shower durians etc?

Connie,

As mentioned above, the jpeg should be less than 25 mb, I use 23-24 mb. You need to do some research and see what others are charging and then use those same prices for ALL of your products!

Rich