Darkroom Scanning

by PC Smart

sandbox serendipity (my art blog)


Darkroom scanning - sounds ominous, doesn't it? Like a mad scientist's experiment gone tech....

In reality it is a simple way to scan without worrying about backgrounds. I started doing it a back in 2002 and published a series of articles in craft magazines with instructions and examples. It all started because I needed to scan items and have a perfectly black background. Since my scanner lid is white, I would put a sheet of black foam/felt behind the items. That only works if the items you are scanning are also flat. When you are trying to scan a dimensional item, there are always problems with the background. If you try to place the lid down, light escapes and creates unwanted shadows on your scans. You can use a dark fabric over the item, leaving the lid up, but sometimes you can see the texture or folds of the fabric. To solve this problem, I lay the item on the scanner with the lid up (or totally off, detached from the hinges) and turn off all the lights in the room. (you will have to close blinds if doing this during the daytime) Then scan the item as usual....The resulting images will have a dark background with an increased detail/contrast. I love to use this technique with bright colored objects for the stark contrast and sharp edges. My favorite darkroom scans have been fresh flowers, jewelry and shells. Glass and Crystal beads are great for this technique because the light reflects up through the beads. Look at the leaves with the fern - see how the parts of the items that are closer to the scanner glass are clearer than those that are further away? That is the beauty of the depth of field scan...the same is true on the shells. The funny thing is... I got so caught up in this type of scanning that when we were building our house, the only rule for the location of my office was that it have NO windows.... not only does it help with scanning, I have no monitor glare. So while my studio is " the sandbox", my office is called "the bat cave".

Here are a few examples of darkroom scanning....it is hard to appreciate the blackness of the background against the black of this page though... i have not done any digital manipulation, these are the true scans....
A word of caution - if you are scanning any items that may scratch or stain your scanner glass, place a new piece of acetate on the bed to protect it. (it won't show in the scan) You also might want to clean your glass before beginning this type of scanning, every speck of dust will show....if need be you can touch up those areas with a black "paintbrush" in your graphic program.