Optimizing scans from Photo CD discs As a result of this dynamic range limitation, Photo CD scanners cannot see shadow detail in transparency images to the same degree that PMT scanners can. A very small percentage of transparency images have shadow details whose density exceeds the Photo CD scanner's ability to record that information. For these occasional transparencies there are several options. The most significant option is to choose correctly exposed transparencies for scanning. Second is to acknowledge that for some images the detail in the shadows will be lost. Third, the Photo CD scanner can be adjusted through its Data Manager to expose more shadow information - at the expense of highlight detail. By scanning one image slightly lighter than normal, and one slightly darker, two images of the transparency can be made, each with its own qualities; these two images can be blended together in Photoshop to make a single image. Fourth, it is important for some images to be scanned with a different scanner, one that affords better detail in the shadow areas. The Photo CD scanner operator can adjust the exposure of a single scan, or group of scans, being produced for Photo CD. Another option for managing the occasional challenging transparency is to scan several frames from the same image, varying the lightness set up in measured increments. Once on the design workstation, the best of these frames can be chosen for reproduction. Just as a photographer will occasionally bracket exposures when shooting a scene, the Photo CD scanner operator can scan a bracketed group of images to the disc. Next Colorite Home Page OPTIMIZING PHOTO CD -- MENU