| While we will do our best to meet any special technical
requirements, the following information reflects our normal image handling procedures and
standards. We can normally supply film-based originals where required, but we reserve
the right - at our sole discretion - to supply images in digital format only.
Scanning
Almost all of our digital scanning is undertaken in-house, using a high quality
desk-top scanner. All of the film-based originals on this site were scanned to
professional standards, most being scanned from 35mm transparencies. A small number
were however scanned from medium format (6cm x 6cm) transparencies, or black and white or
colour-negative film.
Increasingly we are moving to direct digital image capture and many of our imiges are
now created using digital rather than film cameras. In such cases, the label
DFO (digital file only) simply indicates that no film original is available.
Resolution
Image files are currently available in a range of sizes to meet your particular
requirements, normally up to a maximum size of 18 in by 12 in (slightly larger than A3
size) at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch. Larger image sizes can of course be
obtained by interpolation, usually with some loss of quality. This loss of quality
can be minimised through the use of specialist software. If you require an image
larger than 18 in by 12 in at 300 dpi, please seek our advice.
A3 reproduction from a TIFF file requires a file approximately 56 Mb in size, but
a much smaller compressed JPEG file (usually about 2 Mb in size) also gives very
acceptable results. Smaller-scale printed reproduction, of course, requires
proportionately smaller file sizes and we normally supply a file which is no larger than
required for the stated use. It should be noted that images for use on the Web, or
in New Media applications, require very small file sizes because they are restricted to a
resolution of 72 pixels per inch - the limit of what can normally be displayed on a
computer screen.
Digital Correction
Our original scans are digitally cleaned and corrected in Adobe Photoshop.
Blemishes are removed and, where necessary, small adjustments are made to brighness,
contast and colour. Where digital sharpening is undertaken, it is applied only at the most
basic level, as we consider that anything further is best left to the customer, or their
printer.
File Formats
Files are stored in TIFF format without compression, but are normally converted to
JPEG format for ease of transmission over the Web. This gives greatly reduced file
sizes, allowing much faster downloads with no significant loss of detail.
While it is not practical to transmit substantial TIFF files over the Web, these files
can be supplied on CD-ROM at an additional charge of £5.00 GBP per CD, plus
cost of shipping, subject to normal postal conditions.
Test File Downloads
If you have already registered for our members' area, you can check
out our download procedure, using a test file. To download a (JPEG) test file, click
HERE.
You can register for our members' area by going HERE
.
If you have already registered and forgotten your password, please go HERE.
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