How can I scan a color neg into PhotoShop and convert it to a good positive image? I have a flat bed scanner w/ a transparency unit (Epson Expression 63

-- Weaver Lilley (weaver@libertynet.org), January 31, 2000

Answers

You'll be lucky to get an acceptable image from a 35mm negative on a 600 dpi scanner, let alone a good one. Larger formats may give a usable result.

Anyway, if you want to give it a try here's how:

Scan the neg as if it was a slide, then in Photoshop; Select Image -> Adjust -> Invert; select Image -> adjust -> curves, and from the curves window select the leftmost eyedropper of the 3 and click it over the visually darkest point of the image; select the rightmost eyedropper and click it over the brightest point on the image. (It helps to have the eyedropper options set to 3x3 averaging)

That should get you somewhere close to the correct colour and tonal range. If the image has a neutral grey area (dark cloud or something white in shadow for instance) click the centre eyedropper over it for a better colour match.

Use the curves tool manually to make final adjustments, the "auto" button rarely works satisfactorily on images with a strong colour cast. Altering the overall gamma by "Bending" the middle of the RGB curve up or down, can give a more pleasing result.

Hope this helps,

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), February 02, 2000.

Short of buying a dedicated film scanner, like a Nikon, your best bet is to send your negative off for a photoCD scan. I've had good luck with the folks at www.imagers.com. Forget it with a flatbed scanner, and especially if your scanner software doesn't deal with color negative film. Because the orange masking dye in color negative film is non-linear, you'll never get it exactly, though the previous response was good advice if want to push through.

-- John Lehet (justme@well.com), February 02, 2000.