Scans are very dark-Why?

sofasurfer · **Joined:** Nov 04, 2010 **Posts:** 67

I scanned some negs. Large format and small format. The preview scan comes out so dark you can not even select the area you want to scan. Its just too dark.

I am using a Epson 4990 scanner with its included software which is Image Scan and photoshop elements. I know this is not a photoshop forum but you people are so smart and so fast to answer I am hopeing you see a generic situation that you can ID.

My setting are professional mode, film type=film, film=B&W neg,image type=8 bit gray scale, resolution 300 dpi.

The photos show the results of my preview scan.

I think the problem is obvious in the histogram. Why are the pointers so out of place and how do I correct this?

Mike · **Joined:** Aug 27, 2010 **Posts:** 491

I'm thinking the image type should not be 8 bit grayscale.

sofasurfer · **Joined:** Nov 04, 2010 **Posts:** 67

I used 24 bit color and had the exact same thing.

PhotoComix · **Joined:** Apr 12, 2010 **Posts:** 5870

yes but maybe at 24 bit may be corrected when editing

PS in your screenshot is not visible the most relevant part "Adjustments" there the point

You chosed on top "professional " setting,[b] never use professional if you don't want fiddle with all controls
better "automatic" or "basic" only there you may hope in some automatism or smart default helping you[/b]

sofasurfer · **Joined:** Nov 04, 2010 **Posts:** 67

It ok now. Not sure what I did but...
I started in full auto mode and clicked the "help" button. Did some reading and things improved. Then I went to home mode. Did the same. Finally I went to pro mode and I am getting good scans.
Wish I was sure what I did right but I am not. I'll try to learn more later and retrace my steps.

PhotoMaster · **Posted:** Tue Jan 04, 2011 9:29 pm **(#6)**

My guess is that somehow you're "image adjustments" got dropped low. By selecting full auto, the software probably set it back to a normal level. The Image Adjustments button is the 4th one from the left about halfway down. (I use an Epson 4490)

PhotoComix · **Joined:** Apr 12, 2010 **Posts:** 5870

i think the same

and if you don't like freaking on manual and getting nut to discover for what each control is for just use Automatic or Basic

Only if the result is bad is the case to use "professional" aka manual settings that with practice and patient manual reading maybe give better results, but without that usually produce crap