Step by Step through Our Editing Process
Here at Slide Scanning Pros, we edit each image individually and "by hand". Every image goes through an unique editing process, but we have decided to display an example process for you to look at below.
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This image is similar to many images we receive on a daily basis. This particular photo is about 30 years old and has begun to fade and lose critical coloring detail.
We scanned this image at 4000 dpi and with 16-bit (48-bit Color) settings as we do with every one of our customers slides and negatives. Once the image is scanned, we import it into the editing program we use, Aperture. Here we will make a few adjustments to help bring back the original colors and feel of this image. As every image is different, we edit each one individually according to its specific needs. We edit each image "by hand" and check them against the original images in a consistent manner. |
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The first thing we did with this particular image is use the "curve" tool to take out most of the underlying magenta fading that has been caused by age.
Though our curve helped to restore some of the original colors back into the image, there are still a few things we can do to make it better. The curve also made other parts of the image darker which hides some of the critical detail of the image. These issues will be addressed in the next two steps. |
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After we made the curve adjustments to this image, we worked with the white balance to remove more of the magenta. This is especially noticeable in the sky and on the building behind the giraffe.
The image is better, but there is still work that needs to be done. |
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The third step we did was to bring back some of the hidden detail that was lost in our first step. To do this, we used our shadows and highlights tools.
While this brightened the picture and brought back some of the detail, some of the "contrasting" effect was lost and the image now looks a little "flat". We will correct that in the next step. |
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Using definition and contrast tools, we bought back the original feel of the image.
Once there is nothing more we can improve upon in the image, we move on to the next one and start a similar process all over again. Some images take more steps than this one, and some less. |
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Though you may not see dramatic changes from step to step in the process above, you can definitely see it in the before and after images below.
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Before
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After
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Here are some additional examples of our step by step processing:
