hello to everyone...I have a question when scanning photographs taken from a regular 35mm camera, what format should they be saved in...jpeg or bitmap. When I tried to save them in the jpeg format, I noticed that some of the quality had decreased, and when I saved it in the bitmap format, the quality was still there but the file was so large. I am using a Visioneer scanner and using the
Photosuite lll program that comes with it. I am just curious about the file format to save scanned photographs in. Any help will be appreciated
Thanks

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Me I would just stick with Bitmap and reduce the size once you scan it in. Usally 300x300 pixels is good. Hope this helps.

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This is simply the difference with the two file type.

jpeg image are compressed, they take two color value and figure out the color value of what is inbetween with algorithm.

bitmap on the other hand spell out all the color value for every bit, even when its black all across. There for the file size are larger since there is more data but it is as clear as the camera see it, every info taken down.

since you are scanning to your hdd, i would scan in bitmap and deal with the large file, and then say I would put it on the web, I convert it to jpg or gif with my graphic proggy like photoshop. This way, you have 1 copy of bitmap for backup purposes and you can work with it a lot. I won't necessary scan in bitmap but in smaller size, kind of defeat the purpose when you want to blow it up.

keep in mind, if you scan in jpg, you lose the details and can't get it back from that jpg. if you scan in bitmap and in large size, you retain all the detail and are flexible in what you want to do with it, keep it or lose the detail for smaller file size.

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...what Mikop says.

Basically, I would scan using BMP format. The files sizes are BIG but the quality is there. Keep these BMP files (store them on CD if you have aCD writer). Then when you actually want to do something with them, convert 'copies' to JPEG. If you only store JPG then you can't enlarge them later without significant quality loss. Also, get a decent PhotoEditor like Photoshop. When you save to JPG you can set the quality/file size on a scale 1-12 depending on what you want. Scale 8 I find converts a 350K BMP to about 90K (600x400) with no real quality loss for screen usage. Remember to keep your quality high if you are printing to a photo quality printer.

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thanks everyone for the advice. What I am doing, I am scanning the photos, and using them like in a "book" I am making by printing them out on "regular" ink jet paper. When I did this earlier, I notice the quality was not good at all, the print was blurred, and I figured. It's gotta be a better way. thanks

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Scan the pictures with at least 300 dpi and save them as TIFF files.

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What exactly is TIFF files

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quote:

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Originally posted by lillian40
I am making by printing them out on "regular" ink jet paper. When I did this earlier, I notice the quality was not good at all, the print was blurred, and I figured. It's gotta be a better way.

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quote:

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Originally posted by lillian40
What exactly is TIFF files

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You really need to get a decent photoeditor, I use MMedia Fireworks. Most people will tell you it's not popular, because not many of the design houses work with it (TRUE). You can get a cheap one, (Corel) for about 500 for the suite. This one works well 'cause all the plug-ins come with. Photoshop is about 600, plus any plugins. Since you're just starting, I would stick with cost savers.
Then Save the files in the native format of the program... I save as .png because it's the native MM FW format. With this I can manipulate how I want and export to jpg, tif, bmp, gif, etc.
CD Writer is not an option if you're going to be doing this... www.pricewatch.com cheap!
The only thing that you should be saving to your hard drive is a work in progress. Remember to defrag A LOT!
PS the learning curve on photo editors may seem to be almost a 90 degree angle, but play with it for about a month, consistantly, and go through tutorials and visit online boards etc. to get some help and lots of hands on!

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

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