One of the s1220 features I took a long time to appreciate is its ability to automatically crop images neatly from photos fed in at an angle. I've got into the habit of allowing some "wiggle room" when loading stacks of photos. For small to medium sized originals I've been very pleased with the results of scanning in this way, letting Kodaks software trim the images.
Today I was faced with a massive pile of monochrome images, just under A4 sized. They'd been stored in a large, deep box. They were glossy prints so they'd almost become fused into one lump, no way the hopper was going to be able to handle those. So I was concentrating on splitting the stack and making sure they fed into the scanner. After about an hour I had completed the first batch. Oh dear, very poor result.
I had set the feed guides quite wide and just dropped the photos in as they came to hand, with some "wiggle room". Unfortunately the scanner had done a relatively poor job with the edges of the images, giving a jagged edge rather than a smooth finish. So it was back to square one, this time setting the guides tight. Thankfully the scanner ran through the photos at a great rate, each one with a sharp edge. One happy scanner.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Photo Scanning Today - Update
One reader - I trust not the only reader - has asked me for an update on our scanning process with our Kodak s1220. Earlier I'd said the 1Scan photo scanning method was to scan face down, well no longer, as recommended by Kodak we scan image side up.
The current release of Kodak's software requires you to feed the photos in upside down. I often forget but it does ensure that images with areas of smooth blue sky are scanned properly. Previously we'd noticed some banding in large areas of colour, but no more.
Both of us now use "Laura's Method". We feed photos in the correct way round. Neither of us have anything against using the software rotate feature, we just like the time saved in not having to do so.
When we first had the scanner we experienced issue with tiny streaks on the image, but this too is no longer an issue. First we scan with the image cleaner setting on and I'm sure that helps. We regularly use the Brillianize anti static cleaning wipes along with an anti-static cloth. Experience has taught us the prime culprit in causing streaks is the non-drying adhesive sold here in the UK as Pritt Stick. One added benefit of carefully feeding images in by hand, and rotating them, is getting (literally) a feel for those with the damned bits of adhesive stuck on the back. Worse still, this often causes two images to stick together. So we can take pre-emptive steps to stop nasty bits of gunge getting into the scanner.
What hasn't changed is the very positive feedback from our clients. The speed of operation is one big "Wow" factor. We get people who start scanning using their simple flatbed only to find a deadline fast approaching and the pile seems undiminished. We can get through a couple of thousand images in a day, so we can help them hit their deadlines.
The biggest "Wow" comes from the colour restore function. If you haven't yet used Kodak's s1220 let me explain how easy this is to achieve. You just scan a batch of photos, then hit a single button marked for colour restore - no complex options, settings, parameters - just let Kodak work their magic for a few minutes. The results never fail to impress.
Surely there's something to moan about? Well, no - not really. The scanner is great and does everything we could have hoped for and a fair bit more. The challenges we face in building our photo scanning business are really marketing issues. How can we get more clients, how can we persuade British clients to trust Royal Mail to safely deliver their precious photos?
The current release of Kodak's software requires you to feed the photos in upside down. I often forget but it does ensure that images with areas of smooth blue sky are scanned properly. Previously we'd noticed some banding in large areas of colour, but no more.
Both of us now use "Laura's Method". We feed photos in the correct way round. Neither of us have anything against using the software rotate feature, we just like the time saved in not having to do so.
When we first had the scanner we experienced issue with tiny streaks on the image, but this too is no longer an issue. First we scan with the image cleaner setting on and I'm sure that helps. We regularly use the Brillianize anti static cleaning wipes along with an anti-static cloth. Experience has taught us the prime culprit in causing streaks is the non-drying adhesive sold here in the UK as Pritt Stick. One added benefit of carefully feeding images in by hand, and rotating them, is getting (literally) a feel for those with the damned bits of adhesive stuck on the back. Worse still, this often causes two images to stick together. So we can take pre-emptive steps to stop nasty bits of gunge getting into the scanner.
What hasn't changed is the very positive feedback from our clients. The speed of operation is one big "Wow" factor. We get people who start scanning using their simple flatbed only to find a deadline fast approaching and the pile seems undiminished. We can get through a couple of thousand images in a day, so we can help them hit their deadlines.
The biggest "Wow" comes from the colour restore function. If you haven't yet used Kodak's s1220 let me explain how easy this is to achieve. You just scan a batch of photos, then hit a single button marked for colour restore - no complex options, settings, parameters - just let Kodak work their magic for a few minutes. The results never fail to impress.
Surely there's something to moan about? Well, no - not really. The scanner is great and does everything we could have hoped for and a fair bit more. The challenges we face in building our photo scanning business are really marketing issues. How can we get more clients, how can we persuade British clients to trust Royal Mail to safely deliver their precious photos?
Friday, May 7, 2010
Colour Restoration
Our photo scanning services 1Scan and Free Photo Scanning are powered by Kodak's s1220, and of course we get customer feedback. The most outstanding comment is how impressed clients are with the way fading colours are revived. Just by hitting a single button you can scan through an entire batch of photos allowing each image to be adjusted, with brilliant results. Alternatively you can apply the same function on an image by image basis if only a few need boosting.
I've used alternative photo editing software but nothing matches Kodak's option - typically they only operate on an image by image basis, a lot of manual intervention is required. For a commercial operation it isn't a viable option.
So when I read recently on another blog that Kodak "own" colour restoration I had to agree. Even the ROC feature (restoration of colour) on our Nikons is based on Kodak technology. Reviving faded colours, Kodak territory.
I've used alternative photo editing software but nothing matches Kodak's option - typically they only operate on an image by image basis, a lot of manual intervention is required. For a commercial operation it isn't a viable option.
So when I read recently on another blog that Kodak "own" colour restoration I had to agree. Even the ROC feature (restoration of colour) on our Nikons is based on Kodak technology. Reviving faded colours, Kodak territory.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Scanner Update
We use our s1220 to drive two key elements of our photo scanning services, one is paid for the other is free (freephotoscanning.com). Apart from that what we do with each clients photos is exactly the same. Since its a few weeks after the launch of the latest software we've been reflecting on how things have gone.
We're still really keen on V3. The colours on first pass scans are better, and I'm sure thats not just a subjective opinion. We are doing much less by way of total batch retouching and of course that saves a lot of time. Compared to other versions now all images are fed in "upside down" and inverted as they're scanned. We see virtually none of the old problem of banding in the sky that so many holiday snaps with big blue skys, so a big tick there.
I have to confess to going back to my old habit of standing over the scanner and manually orienting the photos as I feed them in, so the fun of auto rotate has faded a bit. It still impresses me but I remind myself I'm not here to enjoy myself, this is my living.
We like our nice anti static wipes, mentioned in an earlier post. We still clean regularly but the scanner is staying clean, and we haven't had to do any rescans due to those green, red or blue tracer lines that hit us all earlier. We still hate that blue tack stuff though and curse its invention.
Still happy, still love the s1220, just love Kodak. Even beed watching them on YouTube.
We're still really keen on V3. The colours on first pass scans are better, and I'm sure thats not just a subjective opinion. We are doing much less by way of total batch retouching and of course that saves a lot of time. Compared to other versions now all images are fed in "upside down" and inverted as they're scanned. We see virtually none of the old problem of banding in the sky that so many holiday snaps with big blue skys, so a big tick there.
I have to confess to going back to my old habit of standing over the scanner and manually orienting the photos as I feed them in, so the fun of auto rotate has faded a bit. It still impresses me but I remind myself I'm not here to enjoy myself, this is my living.
We like our nice anti static wipes, mentioned in an earlier post. We still clean regularly but the scanner is staying clean, and we haven't had to do any rescans due to those green, red or blue tracer lines that hit us all earlier. We still hate that blue tack stuff though and curse its invention.
Still happy, still love the s1220, just love Kodak. Even beed watching them on YouTube.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
What would you say to Kodak?
Over the last couple of weeks, with the introduction of Version 3 of the s1220 software, I've been saying "Thank you, thank you thank you". But we move on and I hope upwards, and I'd like to think that in a small airless room somewhere a group of coders are working on the next release of V3 or even Version 4.
Assuming that's the case, if you were to be talking to the team what would you ask for?
At the moment, as the song has it, I'm blinded by the light, but I'm sure there are areas the product offering could develop into, or existing features that might be tweaked. Do you have a view?
If you do I'd love to hear it, then we could compare notes. You can post a reply here, or just email me - - - ju <@> 1scan.co.uk
It would be great to hear from you.
Assuming that's the case, if you were to be talking to the team what would you ask for?
At the moment, as the song has it, I'm blinded by the light, but I'm sure there are areas the product offering could develop into, or existing features that might be tweaked. Do you have a view?
If you do I'd love to hear it, then we could compare notes. You can post a reply here, or just email me - - - ju <@> 1scan.co.uk
It would be great to hear from you.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
New s1220 Software - After More Use
Over the last four days we've been getting more familiar with the latest version of Kodak's new software. We're very impressed and noticed some major changes in the way the scanner / software combination operates.
As photos are fed through the image is automatically rotated. This means if you put in a photo the "right" way round it will instantly appear in the thumbnails looking upside down. It's only a small matter to turn the batch the best way round and I've only forgotten to do this a couple of times. In practice this goes a long way to overcome the partial banding we'd been experiencing in areas of blue sky. Kodak's suggestion was that these shots should be fed in inverted, and it worked. Now all photos are fed in inverted and the software rotates it instantly. Certainly we haven't noticed sky banding this week.
The auto rotate function was one we really felt excited about. So we've been playing with it and it works pretty well. Today we had a great photo of what looked like a French chateau, with its reflection gently shimmering in a lake. It was (almost literally) a mirror image. I was greatly impressed that the new software got it right even though I fed the photo in all ways round. That's a big tick to Kodak.
Just to end, a subjective thought. We continue to use the batch re-touching function and I think it produces a better result than before. It would be difficult to prove, but I have been pleased with the results we've been getting this week.
As photos are fed through the image is automatically rotated. This means if you put in a photo the "right" way round it will instantly appear in the thumbnails looking upside down. It's only a small matter to turn the batch the best way round and I've only forgotten to do this a couple of times. In practice this goes a long way to overcome the partial banding we'd been experiencing in areas of blue sky. Kodak's suggestion was that these shots should be fed in inverted, and it worked. Now all photos are fed in inverted and the software rotates it instantly. Certainly we haven't noticed sky banding this week.
The auto rotate function was one we really felt excited about. So we've been playing with it and it works pretty well. Today we had a great photo of what looked like a French chateau, with its reflection gently shimmering in a lake. It was (almost literally) a mirror image. I was greatly impressed that the new software got it right even though I fed the photo in all ways round. That's a big tick to Kodak.
Just to end, a subjective thought. We continue to use the batch re-touching function and I think it produces a better result than before. It would be difficult to prove, but I have been pleased with the results we've been getting this week.
Monday, February 22, 2010
New Software - In Use
We installed the new software earlier today and gave it a run with a batch of photos that came in this morning. They were monochromes so not the best test.
Opening the new version you'll notice immediately that the clients name gets entered before the date / time stamp which makes it easier to find clients files, like that. Then you'll get into a new set of control settings, which includes the scan to CD, DVD or other storage device. That corrects a major gap in the functionality of the s1220.
Gee does that DVD burner work well, I love it, it's going to be my favourite Kodak feature for ages I'm sure.
Other features - scan as monochrome, adjust dpi settings in flight, add auto sharpening (with different levels) plus all you'll remember from your previous version of Scan the World. And auto rotate.
I haven't quite puzzled out how this operates. It seems to be trying to orientate each image as its scanned then you have the option to auto rotate at the end. I scanned just over 200 ancient (back to 1920, nothing later than 1958) monochromes and fed each one the wrong way round. Batch auto rotate did a fair job at getting the orientation right; but for some reason almost identical images resulted in one right answer and one wrong. I'll be interested to see how this does on more recent colour images.
And on an entirely subjective basis I'd see the colour restore function works better.
We I'd have loved to play more but we also got our new photobooks function online so I had to dedicate time to that. But thanks Kodak, this is a big step forward.
Opening the new version you'll notice immediately that the clients name gets entered before the date / time stamp which makes it easier to find clients files, like that. Then you'll get into a new set of control settings, which includes the scan to CD, DVD or other storage device. That corrects a major gap in the functionality of the s1220.
Gee does that DVD burner work well, I love it, it's going to be my favourite Kodak feature for ages I'm sure.
Other features - scan as monochrome, adjust dpi settings in flight, add auto sharpening (with different levels) plus all you'll remember from your previous version of Scan the World. And auto rotate.
I haven't quite puzzled out how this operates. It seems to be trying to orientate each image as its scanned then you have the option to auto rotate at the end. I scanned just over 200 ancient (back to 1920, nothing later than 1958) monochromes and fed each one the wrong way round. Batch auto rotate did a fair job at getting the orientation right; but for some reason almost identical images resulted in one right answer and one wrong. I'll be interested to see how this does on more recent colour images.
And on an entirely subjective basis I'd see the colour restore function works better.
We I'd have loved to play more but we also got our new photobooks function online so I had to dedicate time to that. But thanks Kodak, this is a big step forward.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
New Software
Kodak have today put out a couple of press releases highlighting a couple of areas that will be important to s1220 operators. The one that has caught my attention is the announcement of new software - version 3.6.2 - promising some major new features. If these work well it will save us hours.
First, content based auto rotation. If this delivers it means we'll be able to feed in photos any way round and the s1220 software will take care of correcting orientation. On Friday afternoon we scanned 750 photos and it took ages to flip through putting each the right way round. Leaving this to Kodak would be a delight.
The second area that will help us is described as scanning to CD / DVD. I was amazed when we first ran our s1220 to find the software didn't include a facility to burn a disc with the images. So we've been using Nero for this. It works but its fiddly and time consuming. I'll be pleased if we can burn a disc straight from Scan the World.
All in all this release could be the biggest step forward in s1220 scanning. I'm looking forward to Monday and loading the new software.
First, content based auto rotation. If this delivers it means we'll be able to feed in photos any way round and the s1220 software will take care of correcting orientation. On Friday afternoon we scanned 750 photos and it took ages to flip through putting each the right way round. Leaving this to Kodak would be a delight.
The second area that will help us is described as scanning to CD / DVD. I was amazed when we first ran our s1220 to find the software didn't include a facility to burn a disc with the images. So we've been using Nero for this. It works but its fiddly and time consuming. I'll be pleased if we can burn a disc straight from Scan the World.
All in all this release could be the biggest step forward in s1220 scanning. I'm looking forward to Monday and loading the new software.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Video - Kodak s1220 in Action
We use Kodaks s1220 scanner for both our paid-for photo scanning service and our free photo scanning service.
We've just put up a video of our Kodak scanner in operation - here you can see our scanner working its way through a stack of photos. We've called it Scanning - the movie.
We've just put up a video of our Kodak scanner in operation - here you can see our scanner working its way through a stack of photos. We've called it Scanning - the movie.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Gentle Handling
Someone on the Google image scanning news group asked for recommendations for high volume photo scanning. When you have thousands of images to scan, believe me, nothing comes close. As you'd expect various other suggestions were made, mainly by people who I'm sure had never faced the task of scanning thousands of photos per day.
One post I found particularly disappointing as it came from someone who professed to have been a Kodak s1220 owner. One aspect of the complaint about his experience with the s1220 was the suggestion that the combination of gravity and rollers in the scanner causes track marks on prints. I was surprised, I had never examined the prints we scanned that closely but felt sure I would have noticed.
Since that post I've looked very, very closely at the front and the back of the prints we've scanned for 1Scan and our free photo scanning service. Nothing, no marks or any sign that the photos have been anywhere other than in their warm padded envelopes.
One post I found particularly disappointing as it came from someone who professed to have been a Kodak s1220 owner. One aspect of the complaint about his experience with the s1220 was the suggestion that the combination of gravity and rollers in the scanner causes track marks on prints. I was surprised, I had never examined the prints we scanned that closely but felt sure I would have noticed.
Since that post I've looked very, very closely at the front and the back of the prints we've scanned for 1Scan and our free photo scanning service. Nothing, no marks or any sign that the photos have been anywhere other than in their warm padded envelopes.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Feature or Flaw?
I love old photos, I love being sent old photos, I don't even mind when our clients describe their photos as being ancient and they turn out to be the same age as me. But recently we had some less than positive feedback from a young lady who asked us to scan some of her family heirlooms.
Some of the photos had been printed on paper with machine cut crinkled edges, some were not quite square and many had a white border. Faced with these originals our Kodak s1220 does its best, but our client didn't like the output. In some cases a small black border appears around the scan, with many the scanner trims to the paper size and leaves a white border.
Personally I can't think of how else a volume scanner can handle the inconsistencies of irregular images but we do need to educate our clients.
Some of the photos had been printed on paper with machine cut crinkled edges, some were not quite square and many had a white border. Faced with these originals our Kodak s1220 does its best, but our client didn't like the output. In some cases a small black border appears around the scan, with many the scanner trims to the paper size and leaves a white border.
Personally I can't think of how else a volume scanner can handle the inconsistencies of irregular images but we do need to educate our clients.
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