Envy 5010 Scanning Photos - Colour issues

[smokytoby]

I have started to scan my old colour photo prints and save in JPEG format, but am having problems with some pale colour areas of the photos appearing as b&w/grey in the scan. For example, small areas of blue sky in a sky that is predominently cloudy is reproduced as white or grey and not blue. Also very pale brown areas of, say, mountains are reproduced as b&w.

I have also tried using 3rd party scanning software, but that makes no difference. That leaves me to the conclusion it is the hardware i.e. the Envy 5010 itself that is the issue. Is there something I am missing, or is it just that the photo scanning quality of the Envy 5010 is down to its relatively cheap cost?

Many thanks.

[Dragon-Fur]

@smokytoby 

Sure, could be the printer.  Might not be -- and I cannot judge a printer I have not used. 

How well does your printer scan new, bright, "known to be good" images? 

You can perhaps use that as a guide to how well the scanner works.

What else?

If nothing you are doing is working and you cannot correct the issue, it does make sense to try something else.

What?

Copy and Scan use the same mechanics on the printer.

That said, try a straight Copy of one of the photos - do you see same or different result in the color masking?

This is more of a check for baseline than anything meant to change anything...

Set the Copy Defaults first to make sure you are getting a good representation of the image.

Try both a "known to be good" image and one of your old photos...

Open your favorite browser > type / enter Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Copy > Settings > Default Settings / Copy Defaults (wording can vary)

Example

EWS_9025_Copy_Defaults_3

Next...

You did include your Operating System (thanks) but you have not said which software you are using to scan.

If you have not done so, check the results when you edit the color and exposure settings.

Any difference?

Example using available color settings in HP Scan

9025_HP_Scan_menu_JPEG_1

More > Image

9025_HP_Scan_Menu_JPEG_More_Image_1

What else?

Not sure...

HP has scan software besides HP Scan - nothing of which is high-grade editing software, all of which provide about the same level and type of editing capabilities as HP Scan.

Your unknown third party software does not scan differently (or perhaps does not have editing ability to correct old photo colors?).

If you have not done so, take one of your scanned image files and see if you can get it to print more like you want.

Suggest, if you have not tried it and need an idea, Irfanview.

Note:  Irfanview also scans...

Irfanview > Free

 Irfanview provides (free) exceptional software that can be used for a variety of scan and print tasks, including the “Mirror” or horizontal flip function plus several other options not found elsewhere.

• Create a Restore Point (optional, recommended)
• Download the appropriate version (32bit or 64bit) of the program from the Website and install the program
• Additional information at the website, including:  FAQ

NOTES

Both 32bit and 64bit versions are available.

For example,

Irfanview 64bit version – Information and Download

Software and All Plugins for 64bit version:  https://www.fosshub.com/IrfanView.html

Includes Plugin for creating Multiple-page PDF files for images (Poster or large paper printing)

Includes access (where available) to Scan with HP Twain > Adjust settings > Save

How to find Help within the Irfanview software

Once installed, open the software > tab Help

Example help entry:

Vertical/Horizontal Flip

• Click on the Image Menu, then Vertical Flip. The image will turn upside-down. The left/right orientation will stay the same.
• Click on the Image Menu, then Horizontal Flip. The image will turn side-to-side, as in a mirror.

Note: The effect can be used on a smaller portion (rectangle selection) of an image, as well as the entire image.

Example - Simple Print

Irfanview_Print_1A

What else?

Were it me and I did not have confidence in the printer, I'd ask someone with a different printer to scan one of the photos and compare the output.  At least you could see what is different as you decide what to try next.

Printer  Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

HP ENVY 5010 All-in-One Printer 

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[smokytoby]

Hi Dragon-Fur. Wow, that was a comprehensive answer! To answer some of your questions:

*Photos with strong colours and many textures scan fine. I am a keen mountain walker so many of the photos I try to scan have large areas of similar texture - eg sky, clouds and mountainside. These are often weak colours.

* I have done a straight copy and print of a photo and the result is the same.

* I am using the HP Envy Printer Assistant software. I also tried using VueScan 64 software, but the results are the same.

* The problem happens on the scan to memory, before doing any adjustments to exposure. If the blue sky areas between clouds are rendered the same grey or white cloud colour on scanning to memory, adjustments to exposure affect the entire photo - I can't put blue colour back into just the sky area.

* I will try to get a friend to try to scan my photo on his equipment to see if he has the same problem.

Thanks,

Smokytoby

[Dragon-Fur]

@smokytoby 

You are welcome.

I would guess the printer is doing the best it can do.

The "scan" operation is the same mechanics as the copy.

Worth getting a base line, at least.

Would a more expensive printer be "better"?  Maybe, though I'd not rush out and buy a printer based on that very weak endorsement.   If the photos are important, see if you can get a couple of examples (friend's printer and maybe a professional scan check at a local photo shop) before you jump into thinking about upgrading your printer / hardware.

What to do?

I have taken many thousands of photos over the years - some are better than others, of course.  The more recent attempts when using decent equipment (high grade camera and lenses) makes the most difference. 

You cannot just "go back" and get better photos - some journeys are once in a life time.

Try to find a way to create the best scans you can given what tools you have available and then consider additional options.

Thank you for participating in our HP Community.

We are a world community of volunteers dedicated to supporting HP technology

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You for the help.

If the answer helped resolve your issue, Click "Accept as Solution" .