The way I splice LP covers is scan directly into Photoshop and then color correct each half so white 
is white (using the level controls) and then tweak the color balance from there. Use the crop tool 
to straighten if necessary (but it was much faster to just learn how to scan it straight from the 
get-go -- takes some practice at first). Then make the canvas size for the left half 14x14 and move 
the image over to the left center. Then copy the right half scan and paste into the left half canvas 
and move into position. Then merge visible layers, crop to 12x12 and save. Sounds longer than it 
takes once you have some practice. Have never messed with 4 pieces spliced together. As I said, the 
vast majority of my record albums do not take the content all the way out to the edges and I'm not 
picky enough to mind if the top of a photo is slightly cut off as long as it's not cutting off 
someone's eyes or something.

-- Tom Fine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Francesco Martinelli" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 12:04 PM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Camera and camera stand to capture LP covers?


> Same with me, Joel, plus here in Italy the "legal" size is more expensive than in the USA because 
> is less common. So we did purchase an A3+ scanner which I find very useful also for quicker 
> scanning of magazine pages two by two, small posters, tabloid journals, and the like. We do quite 
> a lot of that and the machine (Epson 10000 XL) works very well but it's very expensive too. I 
> noticed that's even made in Japan, must be the only piece of computer electronics we have not made 
> in China. Trials with cameras were always unsuccessful for the reasons already expressed, even if 
> I do use this technique for "visual notes" about content of Lps. But all this doesn't solve the 
> problem of portable equipment I am afraid.
> Francesco
>
> Francesco Martinelli
> c/o Centro Studi Arrigo Polillo
> Associazione Siena jazz
> Fortezza Medicea, 10
> 53100 Siena - Italy
> www.sienajazz.it
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Joel Bresler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 5:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Camera and camera stand to capture LP covers?
>
>
>> Hi, folks, many thanks for the various answers on this thread.
>>
>> I've never been able to "splice" a cover using two scans from a legal scanner and get it to look 
>> decent -- the shading is always off. If others have succeeded, please spill the secret!
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Joel
>>
>> At 10:01 AM 2/7/2006, you wrote:
>>>Francesco Martinelli wrote:
>>>>Not the ones that will scan a whole Lp cover...
>>>>FM
>>>>
>>>>>No, but scanners are dirt cheap.
>>>
>>>True if you mean a bed for 12x12. However, one of moderate price designed to handle legal 
>>>documents produces scans with a single splice. That is quick and straightforward with your choice 
>>>of graphic editor.
>>>
>>>True, the really inexpensive (U.S.) scanners handle only 8.5x11 and that implies four scans, but 
>>>the two-scan (not two-state <G>) solution may be practical.
>>>
>>>Mike
>>>--
>>>[log in to unmask]
>>>http://www.mrichter.com/
>>
>>
>>
>> Joel Bresler
>> 250 E. Emerson Rd.
>> Lexington, MA 02420
>> USA
>>
>> 781-862-4104 (Telephone & FAX)
>> [log in to unmask]
>> back-up email: joelbresler-at-gmail.com