Taro,

So far, I have used daylight. You may get better result using studio light, but you would need some sort of continuous light I suppose, and it can't be aimed directly to the cover as you would actually see the lightsource in the cover.

I always mount the camera on a tripod. Depending on how the light enters your home, you can either put the cover flat on the floor, or you can setup the cover vertical (usually only possible with boxsets).

Make sure the camera isn't directly in front or above the cover, as you will see a reflection of your camera in the cover. Zoom out so you get the full cover in the picture. I'd also suggest to use spot metering mode for light measurement and focusing. This should be explained in your camera's manual. Also select a measuring point which falls somewhere on the cover. Most camera's have 9 measuring points. Each one is selectable in spot metering mode.

For taking the picture, if you have a remote to operate your camera, you can use it. I don't have a remote, so I use the built-in delay of 2 seconds. This gives me just enough time to move out of the way. Otherwise you risk to have your own reflection in the cover.

If you try the vertical method, you should also check that none of the furniture reflects in the cover.

That's about it, you may need to experiment a bit with the location where to put the cover and do a few test shots.

I hope this helps.

I agree, the cover that looks better should be used

Donnie

Someone had a great trick for scanning reflective covers.

There is some kind of clear plastic pouch you can get and put your cover in, then when you scan it you lose all the glare and reflections and get a nice scan. I think it was mreeder50 (he's the last imgae contribution to X-Men 2 024543091974, which is one I recall trying to scan myself then seeing something come up for vote that loooked like what I was trying for).

Somewhere in the forums this trick and the exact name ("laminating pouch" maybe) are mentioned and explained. Probably around 2 years back (the images on the profile are 5/10/08).

Found it, thank you google!
http://dvdprofiler.com/Forums.aspx?task=viewtopic&topicID=360397&messageID=967737

Thanks, BigDaddyHorse. For some covers that works or at least yields better results but for some (especially a combination of embossing and reflection it would seem), I just can't seem to get it right 

Chris, we have indeed a camera that is able to shoot in RAW mode. I hadn't tried that yet but I'll give it a shot. Being able to manually set the whitebalance is indeed something very useful. I use that all the time for scanned covers.

Thanks for all the tips, I'll experiment for a while and see what works best.

IN many ways I think this rule applies here:

Quote:
If a DVD is packaged in a keep case, within a slipcase of some kind, scan the Cover Images from the outer slipcase. If, however, the Slipcase is reflective, and the inner cover art is identical, use the Keep Case art to scan, as it will give a better quality image.

If the existing art work is "identical" (which it appears in this case) then I think the front cover can stay as is.  However, if the reflective slip cover can be scanned to the point where it is close, but maybe not as good, then the scan should be used.  I think the key point is "identical".

Tom

Quoting tkinnen:

Quote:
IN many ways I think this rule applies here:

Quote:
If a DVD is packaged in a keep case, within a slipcase of some kind, scan the Cover Images from the outer slipcase. If, however, the Slipcase is reflective, and the inner cover art is identical, use the Keep Case art to scan, as it will give a better quality image.

If the existing art work is "identical" (which it appears in this case) then I think the front cover can stay as is.  However, if the reflective slip cover can be scanned to the point where it is close, but maybe not as good, then the scan should be used.  I think the key point is "identical".

Tom

That's just the thing that puzzled me. The current scan is neither:
- it's not the inner, as it doesn't have the Blu-ray banner
- it's not a scan of the slipcover either, as the Blu-ray banner is too light

It's a promotional image that was made available when the disc was still in the preorder phase. So I really don't know how to treat that ...

The way I look at it, if people don't want the new image I am submitting, and the existing is an exact match to the cover, I will not force my new scan on them.  It's not my database, and I have what I want, so what's the point.

Quoting Taro:

Quote:
I certainly don't want to force a cover onto other users, far from it. I submit scans of which I think they are an improvement and/or that follow the rules. If the majority is in disagreement, they vote NO and the screeners will reject it. I'm perfectly fine with that and as you said, anyone is free to do locally how they please.

I didn't mean to imply that you were, though on second read it can come off that way, so my apologies for that. 

Quote:
My only concern was that I thought I understood the rules in regard to such covers but judging by the large number of NO votes, I must've misinterpreted it somewhere. Which is why I came here for clarification.

You do understand the rules correctly.  It's just that, when it comes to images, people tend to go with what looks good rather than what's proper...and, yes, it can get a tad confusing.

Quote:
But I really don't have strong feelings either way: promo cover or not. Both are fine to me. I just wanted to know which of the two I should submit for future contributions.

I can understand that.