I started scanning seeds a while back. The nice thing about scanning seeds is that you can jump up the dpi to ridiculous numbers because seeds are so small. The most dramatic scan is of a Confederate Rose seed. I'm sure most of you know how small those are. I had to resize this picture from 18 mb for Daves.
This message was edited Apr 2, 2007 11:59 AM
Here is a scan of Keniak Ken Ya JMG. I set the dpi at 1200. I have found when scanning seeds you want to have a textured back ground that will absorb light. Blue works the best. What I used is blue construction paper. The contrast and color have been enhanced for detail. Once again, this is resized for daves.
This message was edited Apr 2, 2007 12:03 PM
This next picture is of Blue Picotee seeds. DPI 2400
These pictures would be very nice for the plant files. I like them.
Thanks! I think I have already sent some of my scans to plant files. I'll have to check and see.
X
I sure thought that first one was a funny looking MG seed. Guess I should read the caption, huh!
Lol .. I put that one up there just to show how high you can push the dpi. I was astonished. The original picture was 55 megs!!!
X
Wow! That works better than my camera. The scanner says it goes up to 9600 dpi.
This is only 2400.
This message was edited Apr 2, 2007 12:39 PM
Lol .. everyone is going to be dusting off their scanners now! My scanner goes a bit beyond 9600. I won't even attempt that. I doubt my computer could handle 9600 even with a gig of ram. The average size pic for scanning seeds at 2400 dpi is running about 60 - 80 megs.
I'm thinking we'd get better detailed scans with damp seeds too. Even flattened out by software for detail, the dry seeds, like in my 3rd shot, look a bit hazy.
X
Here is I. wrightii with its little cotton tails. See what you started!!!!
This message was edited Apr 2, 2007 1:03 PM
What's the background you used? That really absorbed the reflective light giving good detail.
X
It's a fabric called "fleece" that they sell at the fabric stores.
Oh! I have some of that, but not in blue .. but wait! i think one of my winter coats has blue fleece on the inside. Where are my scissors!
X
LOL!
Ok .. didn't cut up my coat, but used a blue t-shirt. Works good too! This is Mt. Fuji seeds, 2400 dpi scaled at 300%. Original picture was 80 megs. Looks like 1 is a dud.
X
Looks good! That center one is so much larger than the rest, too.
Yeah .. After my weekend episode, I don't trust seed labels anymore except from a select few. I suppose scanning your laundry will tell you if your detergent is working too! LOL
X
This message was edited Apr 2, 2007 4:27 PM
Too bad about your Sunrise Serenade...but I have REAL seeds if you change your mind about cutting back.
Thanks .. maybe later in the season. I just feel guilty about all the seeds I have languishing away.
X
Do you think you can take such images with the Sony digital camera you (and I) have, X? I wonder if there is a way to put a measure of scale in the image, such as what you would do with an stage or ocular micrometer (say that 5 times real fast, you just can't do it) in a microscope?
Joseph
This message was edited Apr 3, 2007 7:47 AM
The camera can't get that close so far, believe me I've tried. But since I'm still learning how to use it, it may be able. I just haven't found it yet. As to scale, you can certainly put something next to the seeds or under like Frank does with his graph paper, when scanning, but remember, the higher the dpi the bigger the picture, so you want to keep the scan area as small as possible and whatever you put under them doesn't want to be very reflective since you will lose detail. Thanks to Beth, who showed us that cloth is better for absorbing light than a textured paper.
X
I tried scanning a cotyledon (one of mine Ron .. not yours) to see what kind of detail I would get. This is a cotyledon of my Blue Picotee x Mini-Bar. 2400 dpi at 200%. Contrast enhanced for detail.
X
I am experimenting. This is I. batatas "sweet caroline" seed. I think the darker blue worked better.
The detail is remarkable(!)...
Here's a few links to seed photos for comparison
the flat background is easier on the eyes...the color of the background could be changed after the actual scan to a color that provides better after scan contrast...yes(?)...
http://www.frsa.org/SCSTprofwheat.html
http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=1149032
http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/images/ipm1023bigrootmorningglory.jpg
Click onto each image for enlargements
http://plants.usda.gov/java/imageGallery?category=sciname&txtparm=Ipomoea&familycategory=all&growthhabit=all&duration=all&origin=all&wetland=all&imagetype=all&artist=all©right=all&location=all&stateSelect=all&cite=all&viewsort=25&sort=sciname
It looks like you guys'll be in the lead soon enough...(!)...
TTY,...
Ron
Ron, I've tried various colors and backgrounds and blue seems to work the best. I think the fleece is probably too hairy. The best seems to be a tight knit or weave. Here is the picture of the Mt.Fuji seeds with the background replaced to show you what doing that would look like. It just doesn't look right to me because when you get to the edges of the seeds or shadows you ultimately get into tolerance problems and can't get a good clean edge.
X
I do see what you are saying about the edges,but from an end user point of view I can see the main body characteristics and determine the color of the seed better with the gray background...the matter at the 12:30 position is a piece of rock,not a seed ...I can see that clearer with the gray background than with the blue,but I realize that it may be easier to photograph using the blue...
Ron
I do think fleece is too hairy, but I don't like knits or woven because of the directional pattern they impart to the background. My next try is going to be a medium blue felt.
I think that will prove to be hairy too.
X
Yes, but not as hairy as fleece. It's worth a try.
Always worth a try.
X
I've tried some different backgrounds. The picture here is on what is called granite paper. 2400 dpi at 200% 48 bit color. It's labled Tree MG. Contrast enhanced for detail. The seed on the right has been de-haired.
This one, I Hederifolia var. Lutea is on parchment paper. 2400 dpi, 300% , 48 bit color. Contrast enhanced for detail.
I was able to isolate one seed from the parchment scan, but again, the edges are not quite right as some of the shadow in the upper right hand corner carried with the mask.
I tried two different things: blue velum and blue foam pages that kids use to cut shapes out of. The blue foam seemed to work best. Here is I. leptophylla
group
I. transvallensis on blue vellum
Now back to blue foam for a varigated Cameo Elegance leaf.
Close up of the leaf so you can see the hairs.
Wow .. that foam board is it!!!!! I'll see if i can find some in grey. Those are really stunning Beth!!!! Well done!
X
