Digital Processing Services

After scanning each image will require some form of digital processing, we have a range of services to suit your budget and requirements.

We offer 5 different levels of image processing :

Standard - Our most popular service, provides a good quality image with lots of options included. Colours, contrast and brightness automatically fixed, defects detected and automatically removed with infrared (where possible), images cropped to remove any borders and rotated correctly.

 

Touch-up - Includes all the Standard features, plus a quick manual check of the colours and contrast levels in Adobe Photoshop. We also remove any small defects not detected or removed by the infrared system.

 

Professional - Similar to the Touch-up service, but provides a more thorough checking service and performing some minor repairs. We also remove any red-eye from camera flashes.

 

Basic - Infrared is used to clear the defects, but little processing is performed and as a result the images may look "wrong" until they are processed using a suitable photo editing software package. All images are returned as JPG files and the cost per image is reduced.

 

Raw - A new option designed for the professional users. Similar to the Basic service, but the images are returned as either 48bit RGB or 64bit DNG (Digital Negative) format, this allows the files to be read by Adobe Camera Raw or another program that can read DNG files. You can also request a different colour space if you wish.

 

Infrared dust detection and removal

Even though each item is cleaned before scanning, some stubborn dust or marks will likely remain on the surface. To remove the majority of the defects we use an infrared detection system to detect them and remove them from the scanned image. Infrared detection is included free of charge with all of our processing services.

Please note: Infrared detection and removal is only available on colour slides, colour film negatives and transparencies, it is not available on photographs or black and white film negatives or transparencies.

 

Automatic frame cropping

The scanning software automatically detects the edges of the film or slide frame and removes the borders. Some rounded corners or uneven edges may remain but we remove these manually.

 

Portrait Rotation

All 35mm slides and film negatives are scanned in "landscape" orientation due to the optics within the scanners. Photographs are scanned in the orientation we receive them in. Any "portrait" images have to be rotated correctly after scanning.

 

 

Automatic colour and contrast fixes

The colours are automatically adjusted during the scanning process to correct any colour changes or fading in the images. It is common for some older colour images to take on a red or blue hue, this is generally corrected by the software.

Original image	Auto fix applied

 

Automatic faded colour boosting

The colour saturation levels are automatically boosted when required to give a more pleasing image.

 

 

 

Manual colour adjustments

Corrects any colour problems, specifically in older or troublesome images where the automated software cannot determine the correct colour balance. This typically happens with older colour cast images or images containing snow or ice.

 

Manual contrast adjustments

Boosts the contrast and brightness where possible to ensure the image settings are optimized.

 

Black and white filtering

A Photoshop filter is applied to black and white images restoring them back to their original monochromatic tones.

Basic Photoshop clean up

Minor spots or scratches missed by the automated dust removal process are manually removed in Photoshop to give a cleaner image. Some minor damage is also repaired, if we believe the repair can be completed within the set timescales.

The "Basic" clean up service removes any stubborn marks that can be seen on the image and also repairs any minor damage that can be quickly repaired.

 

 

 

 

Extended Photoshop clean up

The "Extended" clean up service, which is part of our Professional service, takes a more in-depth look at the image and repairs any faint scratches or marks that remain (on colour film stock only, see the limitations below). This results in a much clearer image upon closer inspection.

The time taken to process each image is longer and is reflected in the surcharge per image price.

Red eye removal

Red eye caused by camera flash is unsightly and can only be effectively removed by hand from each image.

 

Processing limitations

There are limits to what our inspection services can achieve. Results vary depending on the quality of the original film or photo being transferred and the following should be taken into consideration.

• High ISO/ASA film and very dark images will naturally lead to very grainy and noisy images. The de-noise filter may reduce the effect of the grain but not remove it altogether
• Low quality film, such as 110, or images taken with low quality camera equipment will likely lead to poorer image transfers
• Scans of prints made on low quality printers will lead to poor image transfers
• Any major damage such as water, mold, major scratches or missing areas of film or photos, will be visible on the transferred image. Only our separate dedicated photo restoration service will attempt to repair such images
• Poor focusing or camera shake which has resulted in blurred images cannot be fixed
• Very dark images are likely to be dark transfers. We can boost the overall contrast levels a little, though we cannot generally account for the wrong exposure settings when the original image was taken, or where the film has darkened over time
• The Professional service will not remove all scratches and small marks from monochromatic film stock, we only remove the larger obvious scratches. Badly scratched film would take many hours of processing to remove the damage by hand and is therefore not covered by this service.