Scanning a Framed Document

I’m guessing I can’t have it both ways…but if anyone has the answer, it’s the members of Ido!

My Dad received the bronze star medal and the document portion of the award is in a framed case about 1/2 inch deep.

I want to scan it into my computer, but because it rest in the frame, I can’t scan it into a readable PDF file. It needs to come out of the frame. The frame is sort of sealed. I really don’t want to take off the back to scan it if there’s anyway to get around this.

I’m thinking I’m up the creek.

Any thoughts out there on a better way to get this document into my computer?

How about just taking a picture of it using the maximum quality macro setting?

Hey BK. I’ve had a few thing that were tough to scan. I was able to take a picture and use that instead of scanning. Glare may be an issue, but if you try adjusting the angle of the camera it may help. GL, hope you get it done.

A Picture!

Everything has a work around!

Thanks guys!

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A Picture!

Everything has a work around!

Thanks guys!

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Why do you always make things seem so hard to do?

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A Picture!

Everything has a work around!

Thanks guys!

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Why do you always make things seem so hard to do?

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Now you know why MS Trumar catches fish with me and you go home with zip.

If you have a smart phone, you could try using the camscanner app. You can get a “free for a while” version (limited number of docs) from the android market. It takes a picture, allows you to crop it if it doesn’t get it right on its own, enhances the picture, and then saves it as a PDF. I use it for all my receipts and other stuff I need a record of for work. Quality is usually pretty good. Its worth a shot.

Thanks John.

I work for a copier company. You might be able to use a normal copier just close the document feeder to seal out any light.
Tony

I tried that TG. Thanks though.

It worked good for most of the document, but the typed name ect was unreadable.

I’ll have to give the camera and the cell phone a shot tonight.

Get a true macro lens and USE FILM.. that way.. you have UNLIMITED PIXALS.. once the film is developed.

My Wife’s Grandmother wanted a photo of HER Grandmother.. and her sister had the only copy.. we took our macro lens there , and using a tripod , shot the photo on the slowest speed possible.. meaning the most closed shutter speed, that you can get.. THIS ALLOWS FOR THE MOST DETAIL. most depth of field.

and the photo was photo enlargement quality. meaning that we easily got an 8 x 12 ( woodmans LaCrosse) for framing..

you want to use slow speed film as well.. 100 speed ,or 64 speed slide film..

once you have it once.. and put it on a disk, you are in great shape..

do not use a fast film like 800 or 400.. because when you enlarge it , it will become grainy..

just remember that taking photos is like filling a bucket.. fill it fast and you get a photo or a fast stop action photo..

fill it slow and you get a high detailed photo.

sorry. I am a photography minor from UW- LaCrosse.

I would also bracket my shutter speed.. meaning take your light reading shoot a couple of shots, and then change either your speed or your apeture one step up and then one step down.. do a couple of shots both ways.

I wish you well in your quest here.. its like building something or baking .. if you have the right tools , its so much easier..

Thanks Rat!

Could you give me step by step instructions for my One Shot?

Ya….

Thought so.

But I have to say, if I knew what the ‘ell you were talking about, I would never asked the question!!

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Thought so.

But I have to say, if I knew what the ‘ell you were talking about, I would never asked the question!!

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Sounds like OR is the man for the job!

now I looked up a ONE SHOT.. and can’t find what you are talking about.. is it one of those pocket digitals.. Well it may be fine..

it really depends upon the quality that YOU WANT.. if you want suburb quality .. any film 35 ml with a CHANGEABLE MACRO LENS will do..

don’t ask me about digital.. I shoot film.. I am old school. but film will DO THE FINEST JOB.

I thought for something like this,something this unique and special, you wanted a Rolls Royce type of photo. and film is the way to get it.

that’s all I can tell you.

I am sure that there are a million guys who know the digital cameras.. I just don’t know the quality that you will get in the long run..

I really thought that you wanted the best. sorry.. and if I stepped on someone toes.. I apologise..

the rat..

No toes were stepped on big guy!

The cost of a good camera to do that would be prohibitive I’m thinking.

I would like to get the best image I can, but then again, I don’t want to have to pay for it either.

I’ll see how the digital works tonight and go from there.

Had I known you were going to google the “one shot” I would have used “instamatic 110”. It would have been more entertaining for you.

It sounds like you tried to do an OCR to get a printable file.

Did you try using a scanner to do a conventional “scan” to get an image of the medal and text? Be sure to have the frame as level as possible and to use the scanner’s highest resolution settings. I’ve used a scanner this way to make images of odd shaped things like lures, etc. and get photo quality images. Also be sure to use the highest resolution setting to save your image if you edit it.

Good luck BK!

Dan

yeah the instamatic with the square bulb.. yeah that one I know.. my grandmother had a special lean when she shot her photos.. the photos came out straight but grandma was leaning to the right..

I am sorry.. I am trying desperately to set up a dopey VHS/ DVD player on a tv with only a cable input.. and I don’t know the secret handshake.. I started at 9 am this morning and have had to walk away twice.. because its just not working..

One word…VODKA.

Brian, my scanner scans my hand, depth and everything. Have you tried to scan the document in the frame, it might work, try it if you haven’t.

You guys are the best!

Thanks for your help…and it would have been Dad’s birthday yesterday.

BK, it’s vets like your dad who all of us owe alot to.

Thanks to father BK.

Very cool Brian. Something for the family to be proud of!

I would think you also could request a official copy from Washington.

Again, very nice job.