Using a DSLR and Darktable to digitize old photos - Advice…
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Using a DSLR and Darktable to digitize old photos - Advice please
I have zero experience in this area. I'm trying to digitize a bunch of my parents old photos. Some are loose, but some are mounted in albums, which is why I've chosen to use a DSLR (that and because I have a DSLR, whereas I don't have a scanner). There's maybe only 200-300 photos total, so I'm not too concerned about the extra time this method will take. But I'm having a hard time with the procedure. I've never used Darktable before. I'm also running Linux so I think that limits my options as well.
My dad has built me an adapter to my tripod so I can mount my camera horizontally. I'm using a Canon Rebel 6i with a Canon 50mm f1.5mm STM lens. I'm told you can get better image quality with a prime lens. I've started on my parent's wedding album where the photos are 6x8 inches. Some of the photos are significantly smaller, Polaroid size down to 2x3inches. I'm thinking I'll probably switch to my Tamaron 90mm lens for those.
I've used a Tethering session in Darktable to capture each photo in their wedding album (These photos are nearly 50 years old). Using a live view to get the photos as straight as possible before capturing. Then I've figured out in Darktable how to Orientate and Crop.
Questions:
\- Is this method ok? Any better software?
\- What are the optimal camera settings I should be using, ISO, aperture etc? I'm currently shooting in RAW.
\- Are there any good tutorials for making the photos look better, they seem hazy and pale, but white balance etc is a mystery to me? I've tried some Darktable tutorials on YouTube, but haven't found any good ones yet.
\- I would like to caption the photos. Ideally seeing the caption when viewing the Slideshow. I see in the Darktable manual there is a Metadata field, but I can't locate it within the app.
\- I'm also interested in being able to tag people, places, events etc. Is this possible?
#hobby
source
I have zero experience in this area. I'm trying to digitize a bunch of my parents old photos. Some are loose, but some are mounted in albums, which is why I've chosen to use a DSLR (that and because I have a DSLR, whereas I don't have a scanner). There's maybe only 200-300 photos total, so I'm not too concerned about the extra time this method will take. But I'm having a hard time with the procedure. I've never used Darktable before. I'm also running Linux so I think that limits my options as well.
My dad has built me an adapter to my tripod so I can mount my camera horizontally. I'm using a Canon Rebel 6i with a Canon 50mm f1.5mm STM lens. I'm told you can get better image quality with a prime lens. I've started on my parent's wedding album where the photos are 6x8 inches. Some of the photos are significantly smaller, Polaroid size down to 2x3inches. I'm thinking I'll probably switch to my Tamaron 90mm lens for those.
I've used a Tethering session in Darktable to capture each photo in their wedding album (These photos are nearly 50 years old). Using a live view to get the photos as straight as possible before capturing. Then I've figured out in Darktable how to Orientate and Crop.
Questions:
\- Is this method ok? Any better software?
\- What are the optimal camera settings I should be using, ISO, aperture etc? I'm currently shooting in RAW.
\- Are there any good tutorials for making the photos look better, they seem hazy and pale, but white balance etc is a mystery to me? I've tried some Darktable tutorials on YouTube, but haven't found any good ones yet.
\- I would like to caption the photos. Ideally seeing the caption when viewing the Slideshow. I see in the Darktable manual there is a Metadata field, but I can't locate it within the app.
\- I'm also interested in being able to tag people, places, events etc. Is this possible?
#hobby
source
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