Been working on the ol’ book hoard. I’m having major issues with image/text readability as I attempt to convert books to formats that are readable but remain 20MB or smaller…This is my best yet solution:
I’m just curious what other people think of this reproduction style. I think I’ve stared at it for too long. I’m not crazy about the look of the text, but to me I prefer a less pleasurable text block with a fine illustration. Alas, a full color copy of the scans won’t give me a manageable final filesize either…more experimenting to come I’m sure.
But also just for funspiration–some images from the Woman’s Institute Designing and Draping book, all by Alice Seipp:
I used this method on another really rough copy of a book and it worked out great, giving me images like this:
*swoon*, right? That is from a Weldon’s Modern Bride–it was full of all these grease spots and totally disintegrating, so I’m totally happy with this. It’s on Etsy, actually–here–along with some of my other recent stuff. Shameless plug, yes? It’s been a good channel to funnel my OCD into I guess.
a word is elegy to what it signifies 
Hi. I tried reading the scan with my VIEW option set to 175%. It was still very difficult to read. It was tiring. This is a big challenge and I hope you find a successful resolution. Perhaps do the book in sections? I think people wouldn’t mind doing a few downloads if it means reading it would be easier.
Thanks for the feedback–I think you’re right. I find myself avoiding google digitized stuff for that reason too. Even though I can make out what’s there just fine, the pixillated roughness of the letters isn’t enjoyable. I hate it less than the muddy blackness of badly digitized images, but still…i’d like for both to be nice.
Amanda: As one who appreciates free material that is valuable for my reference library I can tell you I never, ever mind having to do a few downloads when a book is in parts. I thank you for all your efforts to enrich the common pool of knowledge we can all benefit from.