Finding a smartphone with a great camera is getting easier, as designers and developers are constantly creating features and apps to push the limits of the digital imaging world. If you walk into a store and take a look at the latest smartphones, you won’t find many with a camera that has less around 8 megapixels. With all of these imaging developments, it is not hard to believe that your phone could be the most convenient and efficient pocket scanner you could ask for. Scanning images and documents to your smartphone doesn’t mean a loss of quality. Follow the simple guidelines for scanning with your smartphone.
Clean is Key
Clear, original documents work best. Try to get originals and avoid photocopied documents, as they may have already lost some quality with the first scan. If you are scanning photos, try to make sure the surface is free of lint, dust and other debris. This will decrease noise and increase the clarity of your scan.
Picture This
- Turn the flash off to prevent your scan from being washed out. Opt instead for a well-lit area. Photos taken in lower light tend to look grainy when adjusted.
- Try to align your scanned item with the center of your camera app’s focus. When overing above your photo or document, if one end looks larger than the other, you are not parallel to the object. You will need to adjust your hands accordingly.
- Try moving the camera in and out above the document to get the largest portion of it within the frame. Do not use the zoom function at this point, as this could result in poor resolution.
- Always tap or allow time for your camera app to focus before shooting. This will avoid glare, blur, shadows, and other problems.
- TIP: Some scanning apps even allow you to photograph multiple items at a time and then crop into individual objects. If you are scanning multiples, this could be a time-saver.
Adjust Accordingly
Some phones and operating systems allow editing of your photos directly from the library. Often, these controls are limited, but a simple crop, contrast, brightness, and color may be all you need to get your scan where it needs to be. If you don’t have editing tools in your photo library, there is a plethora of free photo editing apps available for most platforms. If the details of your scan are undefined, you may try boosting the contrast, but be careful not to overdo it. Too much contrast can make for a fake looking document or image. You may need to crop your image to find and fine-tune the edges of your scan.
Whether you’re scanning in the photos of yesteryear to share with friends, or need some digital copies of essential documents, your phone can help. Scanning with your smartphone doesn’t have to be a scary, unexplored territory. Follow these guidelines and you’ll see how convenient your pocket scanner can be.