Topic: Need Photoshop expert

[Touti]

I have to scan images from a catalog.  I scan them directly into Photoshop but they're very "grainy".  Anyone know how I can fix that ?

[Najemikon]

What software are you using to scan?

I used to find that typical auto settings would produce that sort of result, because the software would assume it was a mix of photos and text (which it is of course!), but try overriding it and setting it to scan photos and it should come out smoother. Personally I've always thought of the "photo" setting as meaning "glossy". 

This is the most basic sort of immediate thing you can try. There'll be all sorts of settings to do with DPI, half-toning, etc, but I find that if you can find some default settings (even if they appear to be wrong) you're better off.

[RossRoy]

Sorry Jon, but in my experience, the Photo setting won't help, because it won't do any descreening.

There are basically 2 approach you can take.

1. If your scanner support any sort of descreening function, try that, it usually works well. Just make sure you scan at the DPI you need.

2. The other way to do it is to scan at twice the DPI you need, apply a gaussian blur to mask the moiré effect, then reduce the image size to the actual DPI you need. Then do any other image manipulation you want, and end by applying an unsharp mask to the image. Usually gives great results.

I've attached your scan, with the 2nd technique applied to give you an idea of the result.

[Touti]

My scanner has an option called "Descreen halftone images",  I'll assume that's what you're talking about.

[RossRoy]

My scanner has an option called "Descreen halftone images",  I'll assume that's what you're talking about.

Yep, that's what I'm talking about. Might give you too soft an image though, you may still have to unsharp it.

[Najemikon]

That's what I get for typing late! Completely forgot about descreening ...   

The main reason I mentioned photos was that my main experience is with HP scanners and a couple of years ago they started using this really rubbish scanner driver that wouldn't easily allow you to change settings. Even something as straight forward as descreening. All you could do was set it to a broad type of image. Very annoying.

[Touti]

My scanner is a HP5500C, it's a few years old and it supports descreening.  I tried the procedure outlined by Ross and it did a nice job.

Thanks.

[Najemikon]

A very decent scanner that.

[Touti]

It was also supposed to be at a vert good price at the time with a 130$ mail in rebate that I forgot to mail

[RossRoy]

It was also supposed to be at a vert good price at the time with a 130$ mail in rebate that I forgot to mail

Story of my life. Either completely forget to mail it, or mail it and never receive it.

[TheMovieman]

It was also supposed to be at a vert good price at the time with a 130$ mail in rebate that I forgot to mail

Story of my life. Either completely forget to mail it, or mail it and never receive it.

Me too, lol. I sent away for a rebate from WB and nothing. It was supposed to $50 worth... Probably didn't read the fine print close enough