How to scan photography negatives, transparencies and prints

About this course

The course compares methods for digitising photographic materials, including flat-bed scanning, film scanning and DSLR camera techniques. It covers prints and artwork up to A4, 35mm and 120 film, and choosing a resolution that balances image quality with file size. Teaching combines presentations, demonstrations and guided practical work on Apple Mac computers and Epson scanners. Participants can practise scanning different types of photographic material and consider which approach is most suitable for a particular purpose.

What you'll learn

• Digitise prints, negatives and transparencies using a flat-bed scanner, film scanner or DSLR camera
• Choose a suitable digitising method for a particular purpose
• Set scanning resolutions while balancing image quality and file size
• Apply the techniques needed to continue digitising photographic materials at home

Is this course right for you?

The course is labelled Improver and is intended for learners developing beyond fundamental techniques, although the source does not specify a photography or scanning prerequisite. Participants should be reasonably computer literate, able to follow written and verbal instructions, use numbers for simple measurements and calculations, and take part in group discussion.

• Teaching includes demonstrations followed by guided practical work
• Participants are invited to contribute to group discussion

Before you go

• Bring a selection of black-and-white or colour negatives, slides and/or prints to scan.
• A memory stick or portable hard drive is useful for taking scans home. PC-formatted hard drives can be read by Apple Mac computers but cannot be written to.