flatbed scanning

[abstracts]

Hi All

Can anyone tell me the procedure for scanning small non flat materials on a flatbed scanner. What should you do for example when the lid won't go down, etc.

Cheers

[ALwin]

What kind of materials? Books or other objects?

[abstracts]

I'm thinking this time of year, Autumn leaves, conkers, windfalls, etc. Things which are normally to bulky to use, but at the same time creating a photographic image.

[ALwin]

I'm thinking this time of year, Autumn leaves, conkers, windfalls, etc. Things which are normally to bulky to use, but at the same time creating a photographic image.

Well, for example you want to scan an image of a dried leaf without crushing it with the scanner lid, you'd have to somehow hold up the lid or provide a white background to the lid. But, now my question is: why not just take a photo of the objects? Get a portable softbox or use some large sheets of white or color paper.

[abstracts]

That would be my usual approach I agree, but I've recently seen an artical in one of the mags about this particular method and it adds a certain naivety to the finished result which I really like. Unfortunately the article didn't go into to much depth regarding the technique, hence my question.

[Rosie]

I love pictures of scanned objects they have a different quality to photos. I would get a black cloth to drape over the scanner lid to help eliminate shadows . It will seal in the light from all the open edges of your scanner. Looking forward to seeing your results!

[abstracts]

Rosie

Have you had experience of flatbed scanning unusual objects? If so could you give me a bit of advice on the procedure.

[Rosie]

We used to do a fair bit when I worked on Photoshop Creative magazine. The best advice I can give you is just start experimenting with different objects as some surfaces work better than others. I've seen some really nice examples of prawns randomly!!
Just be very careful not to scratch the surface of your scanner and keep a lens cloth handy to keep the plate clear of dust and particles .
You could try using tissue paper over your object if you want a coloured background.
Here are some nice examples....
http://www.photopoly.net/30-wonderful-e ... anography/

[abstracts]

Can all flatbed scanners be used to scan objects? Mine is a Canoscan8800F and I've just tried scanning a medium sized flower. Although the resulting image is fine I can't get the machine to produce anything other than a strip measuring about 2 inches wide which cuts off the edges of the flower and leaves no background. I've tried various different settings to no avail.