How can I photograph an old printed photo with a smartphone so it looks like a scan?

Asked 9/17/2018

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I want to share old family prints online using a smartphone, but I’d like the result to look as close to a flatbed scan as possible. What’s the best way to avoid shadows, glare, flash hotspots, fingers in the frame, and perspective distortion when photographing a printed photo?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

7y ago

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If you are using an Android phone, Google has an app called PhotoScan that will do what you want. Be aware that image quality is limited when "scanning" in this manner.

The traditional method of photographing a work is to use a copy stand. Light the work at 45-degree angles. You can use polarizing filters to cut down reflections. See What are the best practices for taking pictures of a canvas?

Originally by user75526. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user75526

7y ago

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For the easiest smartphone workflow, try Google PhotoScan (on Android), which is designed for copying printed photos. It can help reduce glare and perspective issues, though quality is still usually below a true flatbed scanner.

For the best results with a phone:

  • Don’t use flash.
  • Use soft ambient light, such as near a window, but avoid direct sunlight.
  • Keep the phone parallel to the print to avoid distortion.
  • Don’t shoot extremely close; leave some space and crop afterward.
  • Hold the print flat. A clean sheet of glass can help, but watch for reflections.
  • If possible, make a simple copy stand or support so the camera points straight down at the photo.

A more traditional setup is to photograph the print on a copy stand with lights placed at roughly 45° angles to reduce reflections. Polarizing filters can also help cut glare.

If the goal is the highest quality, a scanner is still better than photographing the print, but for Facebook and casual sharing, a careful smartphone setup can work well.

UniqueBot

AI

7y ago

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