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Negative Scanning Guide

Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections, 2024 — Version 1.0

Epson Scan Settings

  • Resolution: 4800 DPI
  • Bit Depth: 48-bit Color
  • Adjustments: Uncheck options like “Unsharp Mask”
  • Document Type: Film (with Film Holder)

Digitization Workflow

  1. Clean negative scanner to remove any dust or fingerprints.
  2. Place film in film holder. Face side up, writing upside down. Flip left for vertical photos. (See diagram.)
  3. Open Epson Scan and select “Epson Perfection V800/V850.”

  4. Adjust Epson Scan settings:

  5. Resolution: 4800 DPI

  6. Bit Depth: 48‑bit Color

  7. Film Type: Positive, Color Negative, or B&W Negative (choose appropriately)

  8. Set file names using the Start Number counter to uniquely number each item. Example prefix: …

  9. Set the save location and browse to the correct directory.
  10. Scan images as TIF files.
  11. Embed metadata into TIF files using Adobe Bridge: a. Append default Archives metadata: Tools → Append Metadata → Archives Default. If missing: Create Metadata Template → menu (three bars) → Load… and select: V:\librarydata\archives_store\projects\vertical-files_photographs\Vertical File Scanning Base Metadata.xmp b. Add custom metadata fields: i. Title ii. Description iii. Date iv. Keywords v. Location (Country, State, City, Sublocation) vi. Source
  12. Convert TIF files to JPG files using XnConvert.
  13. Resize JPG images in Photoshop to approximately 8×12 inches at 300 dpi (longest side should be 12 inches). Edit/crop/adjust (contrast, color, levels) to make images clear.
  14. Add watermark to JPG photos in Photoshop. Place at bottom right or left (B key for Brush). Use black or white (X to toggle). Set opacity ~60–70%. a. If you need the watermark brush: Brushes panel → gear icon → Import Brushes… and load: V:\librarydata\archives_store\projects\vertical-files_photographs\vsu-logo_brush.abr
  15. Save edited JPG files. Reduce quality until the file is ~1 MB.
  16. Create a directory named masters and move the TIF files into this folder.

File Types

Positive Film (Slide Film): Positive film (1930s–2000s) produces direct positive images with true‑to‑life colors and brightness, typically used with projectors or lightboxes and often in mounts. Identify by vibrant, natural colors and high contrast in a mounted slide.

Color Negative: Color negative film features inverted colors and an orange mask, commonly used for general photography and archiving. Identify by the orange base and reversed color palette.

B&W Negative: Black‑and‑white negative film contains inverted monochrome tones with no color mask. Identify by grayscale appearance and absence of color base.

Film Holder Orientation of 35mm Slides

Insert the orientation diagram from the original PDF here.