What equipment do I need to photograph artwork, adjust color, and send files for printing?
Asked 1/4/2013
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I want to reproduce drawings made on white paper, correct the color, and then send the final image to a printing company. Is there a camera that can handle the color adjustment and transmission itself, or would I need other equipment? If a camera is suitable, what setup is typically recommended for accurate artwork reproduction?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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Several people have commented that you probably should use a scanner rather than a camera. The reason for that is that scanners and cameras work differently and create different kinds of images. The lens of a camera tends to distort images a bit, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's not usually what you want when you're trying to reproduce art or documents. (Aside: Take a look at the work of Katinka Matson to see how a scanner can create something like, but not quite the same as, a photograph.) So, consider using a scanner.
On the other hand, if you do want to use a camera, here's what you'll need:
- a camera
- a computer
- an internet connection
Most cameras, even point and shoot models, give you some control over such things as white balance and color tone. You usually use the white balance to compensate for the color of the light in the room. By adjusting the camera's white balance you should be able to make your white paper look white in the photo.
Next you'll upload the images to the computer and use some sort of software to manage the images. Photo management software ranges in price and complexity from free and simple (your camera will likely include some sort of software that'll work) to cheap and more capable (like iPhoto) to sophisticated and not quite so cheap (Adobe's Lightroom and Apple's Aperture). Start with whatever comes with your camera or computer and move up as necessary.
If you want your images printed as photos, on photographic paper, you may be able to do that right from your photo management program. For example, iPhoto makes it easy to select images, have them printed in the size of your choice, and get them mailed back to you. There are also a number of online services that let you upload the images through their web sites. If you want them printed as documents rather than photos (i.e. on other types of paper using some sort of xerography process), there are services (e.g. FedEx Office) for that too.
Originally by user4262. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4262
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For copying drawings on white paper, a scanner is usually the better choice than a camera. Scanners are designed for flat artwork and documents, while cameras can introduce lens distortion and other reproduction issues that are often unwanted for art copies.
If you do use a camera, you would typically need more than just the camera itself: a camera, a computer, and an internet connection. Many cameras, including simple point-and-shoot models, offer basic controls such as white balance and color tone, but sending files directly to a printer company is generally not the camera’s main role. In practice, color correction, file preparation, and transmission are usually handled on a computer.
So the most suitable setup is usually either:
- a scanner + computer + internet connection, or
- a camera + computer + internet connection.
If accurate color and faithful reproduction are the priority, start by considering a scanner first.
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