TMG-L Archives

Archiver > TMG > 2001-01 > 0978441378


From: "Bob Bass" <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Digital Cameras & Genealogy
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 07:16:18 -0600
References: <c7.52703e2.278207a9@cs.com>


I answered several queries about my method off-line. I
guess it is popular enough to discuss here.

First I have found if you have a reasonable good quality
printer designed to handle photo's a reasonably good photo
enhancing software and camera for 1.3 mpix and up will
produce reasonable pictures up to about 8 x10. Of course
the more pixels the better.

I take all my pictures at the highest resolution (my camera
Olympus 2500L is 2.5 mpixel). I then load the picture into
PhotoShop and use its facility to adjust the size to the
desired size and resolution to 300 dpi (or more). This
gives an image very close to that of a flat bed scanner. If
the image is used for OCR I also remove all color
information and increase the contrast before saving the file
as a non-compressed jpeg.

This process sounds complicated but it is only about 10
mouse clicks.

I also know Photoshop is expensive but it is what I have as
it is used in a class I teach. I am sure other Photo
programs offer the same features. I know GIMP for Linux is
free and works very well. I have not tried GIMP for windows
but I feel it would be very good and it is also free.

Bob BASS
Monroe NC

----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2001 10:17 AM
Subject: Re: [TMG] Digital Cameras & Genealogy


> In a message dated 12/30/00 4:58:20 PM Central Standard
Time,
> writes:
>
> << One additional use is to copy pages of books. I then
use a
> character recognition program to convert it to text.
> Copying photographs requires a little more care to not
loose
> the perspective. When copying microfilm I usually use a
>>
>
> I am following this thread very close, since I plan on
making a camera
> purchase before spring cemetery visits, and I am curious
about one thing.
> How is the reception in library and archives to you
photographing microfilm
> and books? Have you met up with any opposition to you
doing this?
>
> I basically wanted one to do cemetery work. My new year's
resolution is to
> photograph as many tombstones for my database as possible
this year. But the
> prospect of being able to "Photograph" a few of those rare
books I need for
> my research, makes the purchase more exciting. Please
don't take this
> discussion off line, as I find it very interesting, and
prevelant to using
> TMG to it's fullest.
> Teresa
>

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