Your opinion wanted!

[modafoto]

Hi

Just a little question for your opinion.

Is it alright to digitally adjusting the contrast and brightness on a scanned slide or neg?

Morten

[Jim Moore]

I think that it is OK to make adjustments so that the scan matches the print.

Often times when I scan a print it does not match, so in my opinion it is OK to make adjustments so that it does match.

Jim

[roteague]

Of course, the act of scanning flattens an image (contrast and brightness wise).

[jd callow]

Contrast and brightness are mutually exclusive. if dealing with colour in the darkroom you have very little control over contrast, density/brightness is completely controllable.

I seldom make prints smaller than 16" sq so I can't scan the print.

IMHO
It is fair to do what can be done digitally as long as it is in faith with the original and any deviation beyond is acknowledged.

[roteague]

IMHO
It is fair to do what can be done digitally as long as it is in faith with the original and any deviation beyond is acknowledged.

My thoughts exactly. Scanning really destroys an image, you need a tool like PS to make it look like it does in the original transparency.

[Sjixxxy]

I've been meaning to write an article on this topic for a while, but here is the jist.

When you scan, most likely the scanning software is going to take a stab at adjusting the contrast, etc.. anyways for you unless you specifically say no. I don't see anything wrong with "scanning flat" and adjusting to taste with a human input vs. letting the computer do it automatically for you. I think many people miss the fact that their images re being "manipulated" automatically when they scan them, even if they don't have a say in it. I think the traditional photographer more then anyone appreciates the importance of having control at as many steps as possible.

[TPPhotog]

I agree scanning doesn't truly reflect the print or negative, so adjusting the scanned image to reflect the true look is acceptable.

[modafoto]

Thanks for your answers. Now I do not feel bad about adjusting before posting.

[clogz]

Mmm..yes...but one nagging doubt remains...how can we be sure your negs were really developed in Rodinal?

[TPPhotog]

Mmm..yes...but one nagging doubt remains...how can we be sure your negs were really developed in Rodinal?

Hans other than coffee is there anything else that negs can be souped in other than Rodinal? Surely not