Photographing large photographs

[Deertick]

I have an Epson V37 scanner and use the accompanying Scan-n-Stitch software. Super easy and I have been very happy with the results.

[thecatspajamas]

Scott,
If it's any consolation, I have had the same problem with very large pieces (posters, prints, etc). I took care of the glare problem by using a table where they can lay out flat with lighting coming at an angle via typical photography lighting umbrellas rather than overhead lights, and actually mounting a camera overhead (from the rafter in my garage) so that it captured the entire area of the table top. Even so, I still have the problem of distortion/curving at the edges of the frame that you mentioned. I use a Canon Powershot SD1100 IS Digital Elph (which looks really funny when mounted on a tripod b/c it's so tiny).

I wound up buying a scanner with a bed large enough to handle 11"x14" prints and photos, and if I have anything larger, either doing it in sections as others have suggested, or it's still just sitting on the back burner indefinitely if it's anything important.

My completely lay, non-photographer-based assessment is that it has something to do with the curvature of the lens, and there are probably specialized (or larger?) lenses that account / correct for this, but I'm completely talking out of my rear here because I really have no idea. So I'm interested to hear what ideas others have as well.

Perhaps Graig has some idea from the photographer he uses to get those nice digital images of his paintings?

[Runscott]

Lance, it has a LOT to do with the curvature of the lens - you want to be focusing on as flat of a lens area as possible, and our elph lenses are just plain small. I have a great natural light area, and will be opening the shades and placing a white sheet over the windows to diffuse the light. That, the tripod and the new camera, should do the trick.

I'll post results in a few days when I test out the new set-up.

To those who responded - thanks for all the advice.

[Lordstan]

With really long rectangular items, taking pictures without the distortion at the ends usually requires long distances between camera and object, special types of lenses, and/or software manipulation to correct it.
I would take photographs in sections and stitch the sections back together. This is likely the best way to get high quality images of the items in question. It is labor intensive unfortunately, but you can speed it up by having a fixed camera/lighting set up. If everything is set up, all you have to do is move the item through the field and snap the number of pictures needed to allow for overlap and trimming

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Deertick

I have an Epson V37 scanner and use the accompanying Scan-n-Stitch software. Super easy and I have been very happy with the results.

I'll check and see if I have scan-n-stitch software. If the new camera doesn't do the trick, I'll probably just bring all the large items to the Shoreline,WA show this summer and hope to sell most of them at that time.

[GKreindler]

I wish I could help. My photographers could definitely do the job. The only problem is, they're pretty darn expensive. A normal sized piece would run about $175 after taxes. But I do guarantee that no one could do a better a job. But yeah, that amount to photograph a piece ends up being a lot of money.

If you'd like, I can try to find out exactly what their setup is, though I'm pretty sure it's a pretty high tech operation.

Graig

[SAllen2556]

This is all you need! Makes nifty 4 x 5 negatives too. This was what my dad used at the Free Press in the 90's. Took it with him when he retired - long gone now. Sorry, I know this doesn't help, but it's such a cool set up.

[Runscott]

Scott, that is awesome!

Is there a gizmo in there somewhere that allows printing of large-format glass negatives, that still works?

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by SAllen2556

This is all you need! Makes nifty 4 x 5 negatives too. This was what my dad used at the Free Press in the 90's. Took it with him when he retired - long gone now. Sorry, I know this doesn't help, but it's such a cool set up.

Does it also make cappuccino?