Scanning Strop

[Wardio]

I made a complete hash of posting a photo on the Photograph R & D area. I scanned to pc the photo on my Epson SX445W (combined printer/scanner) but instead of giving me just the photo, it scanned the empty area of screen as well, so my posting showed a photo with a huge amount of empty space below. Grateful for any ideas how to avoid this in future!

[Ray T]

After you've done a preview scan, which usually scans the whole of the scanner bed, there should be some means of selecting which bits of the preview you want to scan in detail. It sounds like you've either selected "scan" before "preview" or missed out the selection stage after previewing.

I don't know that particular scanner or which software it comes with but the ancient Epson software which came with mine allows you to either select what has been scanned automatically or you can click and drag what you want to scan of the preview. In both cases, you can adjust what is selected afterwards.

If you're now stuck with what you've already scanned, you can always use the "crop" feature in any photo editing programme to chop off the unwanted bits.

[Hackstaple]

I made a complete hash of posting a photo on the Photograph R & D area. I scanned to pc the photo on my Epson SX445W (combined printer/scanner) but instead of giving me just the photo, it scanned the empty area of screen as well, so my posting showed a photo with a huge amount of empty space below. Grateful for any ideas how to avoid this in future!

Perhaps you did not do a Preview which would have allowed you to use the simple cropping tool so as to be left with just the image you wanted. I have done thousands of scans on my old A3 Mustek and I still sometimes forget.

[Wardio]

Thanks Ray and Hack. Doesn't seem that I've got a Preview function on this machine. Going to have to wade thru the instructions again.

[Hackstaple]

Thanks Ray and Hack. Doesn't seem that I've got a Preview function on this machine. Going to have to wade thru the instructions again.

It seems that you have the scanner controls set as Full Auto which is the setting suitable for straight scanning of A4 documents but does not cater for cropping to smaller sizes.  The Epson scanner controls are actually pretty good and simple. Look to reset to Home or Professional mode.
"    Full Auto Mode is sufficient for most scanning jobs especially for a quick scan, however other modes are available that offer more options and user control over the settings and final scanned result.

    The Home Mode or Professional Mode is recommended for scanning magazines, newspapers and, for scanners with a Transparency Unit (Film Adapter), for scanning film. These modes can also be used for photos and documents, where editing or more options are required. For products with an ADF, Epson Scan also offers the Office Mode".

[1pds]

When you scan, there should be dotted lines displayed that you can click onto and drag to identify the area that you wish to scan...

[Wardio]

Thanks again Hack and to 1pds. I've just found the users guide and it shows "scanning in professional mode" etc.. It was on my Desktop staring me in the face....spot of senile dementia here I think! Thanks for sticking with me. Ward