Scanner Bake-Off 2005 *** The deadline has passed for applying to this year's bake-off. *** Introduction Welcome to our second scanner bake-off. Last year's was an unprecedented success, with close to 18,000 hits on the results page alone. Just about every country came to take a peek, and it hasn't stopped! If you've dropped by this web site not having any idea what a "scanner bake-off" is, I encourage you to read the intro at this link. This year's bake-off will be quite different, and I think much more interesting. Instead of using the USAF lens test chart, we'll be sending out slides of a real-world image that everyone can relate to. Sharpness will be important, but this year we're asking everyone to make the image as outstanding as possible with their imaging software. Therefore sharpening is allowed, as well as other manipulation techniques to make the image look it's best. Why another photo contest??? Well, it's not quite a photo contest... keep in mind everyone's scanning the same composition, and the results will be judged on how good the image looks, not it's aesthetics. One disadvantage to last year's bake-off was the fact that operator skill (or lack thereof) could not be accounted for or measured, adding to the wide variation in results from the same model of scanner. This year, the best of the best will stand out, making their scanners shine like they can! Criteria and Rules Images will be judged on sharpness, highlight/shadow accuracy, and noise, as well as colour accuracy and contrast as compared to the original slide. No manipulation of the image content such as cloning or healing brush. The entire image must be included, i.e. no cropping except for the film's edge. Copy a 100 x 100 clip of the USAF Lens Test Chart in the center of the picture. (Save it to a file if you wish.) Resize the main image to 1000 pixels high. Paste the 100 x 100 clip into the lower right hand corner. This is a real representation of your image's sharpness. Make all your adjustments and modifications as described above. Your last step is to paste a copy of the 100 x 100 clip in the lower left hand corner of the photo. This is for a before and after sharpness comparison. View this image as an example. Save the entire image as a JPEG with lowest compression (12 in Photoshop). Upload the image per included instruction that come with the slide. You see, a computer screen is not quite adequate to judge the sharpness of a 1000-pixel-wide image; that's why the 100 x 100 crop cut and paste. A panel of judges will rate all entries with the above criteria, and a winner declared. What other scanners are participating? Take a look at this link for a list of scanners already in the running... And, this time, there's some deadlines: February 31 for applying, and March 31 for uploading your image. Results will be judged, then published in April. I look forward to hearing from you! My shameless request for you to ...via Paypal. It's easy and secure. Thanks in advance! Typical Disclaimer Stuff There are no alliances or special considerations when it comes to brands, as this scanner bake-off is not an endorsement of any product or manufacturer. Any and all participation is voluntary. All results are impartial and fair, so if anyone takes offence, or even wants to litigate, they can bite me.