If you are like the average family, you probably have a box of old photographs in your basement or attic that someone passed on to you. If you continue to store the photographs in that old box, they may not still be around when you are ready to pass them on to your own children. Old photos are delicate and require special storage if they are going to stay preserved for several generations.

Box Storage

Storing your photos in a box is not necessarily bad, but you need to do it properly. Purchase a box that is intended for storing old photos. Look for one that is “acid free.” Then, go through the photos and remove any tape, staples, or paperclips from them, as these will damage them over time.

As you remove these damaging items from your photos, take the time to label the pictures if they are not labeled. Write the person’s name and the age they were or the year the picture was taken. You may know exactly who is in the picture, but that does not mean your children will remember when they are adults and are inheriting the box from you. However, do not use a ballpoint pen to do this labeling. Purchase a photo safe pen so that the ink will not bleed through the picture and damage it.

Album Storage

Storing your photos in albums is a slightly better option. It makes it easier to find a photo when it is needed, and it also helps you sort through the pictures. Fancy, artistic scrapbooks are great, but not necessary if you need to get the photos stored quickly.

Again, when choosing an album for your photos, make sure it is acid free. If your pictures are already in an old album, take them out. Old albums are full of glue, paper, and plastic that are damaging to pictures. Purchase a modern, acid and lignin free album to store your pictures in. Only use glues or pens that are photo safe.

Digital Storage

Boxes and albums are great, but they do create a few problems. First, they take up space to store. If you have a lot of old photos, this can become problematic. Also, you can only pass the photos on to one person with this storage option. Finally, even with the most careful preservation methods, photographs will fade with time or get damaged as they are handled.

The best way to archive old photographs is to turn them into a digital file. Photo scanning companies can take those old pictures, scan them on high resolution photo scanners, and then give you a CD full of your family memories. You will also still get the picture back, so you can make albums or display them in frames while still having an archival image to pass on to the next generation.

With digital storage, you also have the opportunity to fix some of the flaws in the picture, such as a tear or worn area, by taking advantage of restoration and enhancement options. Digital storage for old photos is the best solution, because it offers the ability to preserve old photos indefinitely, share them online, and send copies to anyone who wants them, all at an affordable price.

With the digital age fully upon us, most everyone still has boxes and boxes full of photos of our family and childhood memories stored away in a closet somewhere; typically, the entire 20th century! These photos deserve to see the light of day again and be appreciated, but many of us wait until it is too late to take care of these priceless prints. You say you already have a scanner? And how’s that going? Here are ten reasons why you need to scan your photos today. 

10. You can restore your photo once it is digital. Restoration can make your old faded and scratched pictures look brand new again. 

9. You can resize your images. Do you have a big family picture that you wish was a lot smaller so you can carry it in your wallet? Once your photo is scanned, you can shrink down the photo with ease. 

8. Scan photos for the ones you love as a gift. How many times were you stumped during a gift giving holiday to try and figure out what to get that special someone? Scanning their photos is a unique and caring gift to provide your loved ones. Every time they look at a scanned picture, they’ll remember how thoughtful you were. 

7. Organizing photos is easy once you have your photos scanned. You can organize them chronologically, by person, place or event. 

6. Scanapix makes it easy to do. You no longer have to sit in front of a scanner and spend two or three minutes scanning, straightening and cropping each one. Just gather them together and send them over so we can do all the work and you can have all the fun with your “new” digital images. Once your photo is scanned, you can shrink down the photo with ease. 

5. Its fun to revisit your photos. You need to gather them together to get scanned anyway. 

4. Consolidate all your photos. All your scanned photos reside on your computer. 

3. Share your photos with your friends and family. A hard copy photo can only be shared with people that come into physical contact with it. Once you make your photos digital, you can email them, post them on blogs or use them for whatever social networking site you are into. If a special occasion is coming up, you can quickly and easily make a custom slide show for your guests.

2. Save your photos from the effects of time. Since photos are all chemical based, they will fade in color and deteriorate. Plus, they’re always at risk of physical loss due to fire, water damage, bugs and such. 

1. You can be at peace knowing your photo legacy is forever stored away safely. You no longer have to worry about losing photos or some natural disaster. Once they are digitized, you keep them on a hard drive where you have instant access to them for when you need them. Keep multiple DVDs stored in more than one location, insuring your family collection’s safety.

Today there are many wonderful technology products available on the general consumer market and a slide scanner is one of these items.   A scanner of this type allows the user to make copies of their slides and convert them to digital copies of the item.  This is extremely useful for those who have a quantity of slides stored up in their home and wish to convert them to a different format. 

There are many benefits to using a scanner which converts slides into other formats.  The first benefit is that many individuals want their pictures currently on slides to become available in a different format and the slide scanner presents them with the best solution.  Since slides can only be viewed in one way, many individuals who have slides would like to put them in a different format, such as pictures, so that they can place them in photo albums or store them on their computer for a later date. 

Another benefit to using a scanner for transforming slides to something else is that it is a cost effective way of changing your current slide picture.  Since other methods of doing so may cost a fortune when all is said and done, by purchasing a scanner for slides you can convert these items for a fraction of the cost.  If you shop around for a while prior to settling on a specific scanner you are sure to get a great deal on this type of electronic product. 

An additional benefit to taking advantage of this scanner variety is that it allows you to have a backup version of the slide.  Since slides can get lost from time to time, if you have a scanner you can make reproductions of the item and then store it away elsewhere for safekeeping.  Many photos are precious to the picture taker and having this concept on their side is a wise choice as it provides a safeguard in the event of loss of the photo slide. It is always a great way to conserve storage space and an easy way to make copies of your pictures to share with relatives without having to release your originals.

Once you have reviewed the benefits and determined that purchasing this type of scanner is in your best interest, there are quite a few different places where you can locate a slide reproduction scanner.  You can shop for one at electronics stores, websites via the World Wide Web or even purchase them used from a friend or other type of seller.  You may get a great deal as well if you purchase the scanner in conjunction with other electronics items as many electronics dealers offer package deals which include picture scanners.  In addition, try to find the slide scanner on sale or use coupons and manufacturers rebates in order to get the best deal possible on a scanner of this type.

Scanners are great tools for converting images from prints, negatives, and slides into a digital form for the purposes of storage, editing, and sharing via the internet or to produce actual prints. The quality of the images from a scanner depends in large part upon resolution. Some scanners offer significantly higher resolution than others but most allow the user to adjust the resolution used for any given scan.

Because higher resolution means more detailed and higher quality images why would a user ever select to lower resolution? There are actually a couple of reasons why someone might decide to adjust the resolution downward when scanning.

One reason that the choice to use lower resolution would be considered is that higher resolution images contain more information. The downside of more information is that file sizes are much larger, requiring much more storage space. When storage space is limited, higher resolution images can be a drawback. Users must experiment to determine what level of quality they are willing to accept in order to preserve memory.

In addition to the increased storage needs, the larger file size of high resolution images creates a second drawback. Such images are slower to scan, manipulate, and download. A user may not wish to spend exorbitant amounts of time dealing with larger file sizes and those receiving or waiting for a web page to open that contains such files may become impatient with the process as well. Again, the user has to determine how much image quality they are willing to sacrifice to get smaller files that save time.

Determining what resolution to use when scanning can depend on a number of things: the type of material being scanned, the quality of the image, and how the resulting file will be used.

Slides and negatives require a higher resolution than a print. Because they start off quite small, they will likely be enlarged for viewing purposes. When any image is enlarged, greater resolution is needed to maintain acceptable image quality. The number of pixels or bits of image information needed for the enlarged image to be of reasonable quality may need to be 2,000 or more.

If an image being scanned is a text document less information will be needed to create a clear image and, indeed, a resolution of only 100 should be sufficient. If the image scanned is a picture that will be shared only via computer, then a resolution of 100 or so may still be quite acceptable as the resolution at which a computer screen is able to display is generally limited. However, if that same image will be printed, resolution will need to be greater; perhaps 300 to obtain an acceptable image. Just as explained when scanning slides however, if a user chooses to enlarge that same image, greater resolution will be required to maintain quality. For instance, if a 4×6 print will be scanned and enlarged to a 10×15 print, then a resolution of at least 600 would be wise.

Clearly, scanning images at the highest resolution can create optimum image quality but when speed of scanning and downloading are important or storage space is limited, users are wise to consider adjusting resolution downward in situations where acceptable image quality is possible with lower settings. Some experimentation will be required to find the level of image quality that is acceptable to an individual user.

Here is a common concern

 “My pictures are fading away! I wanted to show to my grandchildren the pictures when I was pregnant with their mother but now is too late; the pictures have almost completely faded away”.

Here is part of the problem

Chemicals on the pictures keep reacting over time. Some color images show marked deterioration in only 10 years turning blue, yellow or red in most cases. The color dyes used in photo prints, slides and negatives will irreversibly decay overtime.

Changes in temperature and humidity produce one kind of fading. Changes in lighting conditions are responsible for other kind of fading.

The oil in our hands and dust in the environment are also responsible for deterioration that will become more evident overtime.

Here is what we can do to protect our valuable pictures

The decaying process is progressive and irreversible but it can be slowed down by careful storage and handling of the pictures.

Color photos will last longer if stored in the dark and cool dry location. The worst place to store old photographs is in the basement (too damp) or attic (too hot).

Do not stack photos on top of each other, pictures are easily scratched and should be stored in archival plastic or paper sleeves.

Most inexpensive photo albums could damage the pictures. Particularly, avoid albums with sticky adhesive pages.

Be careful when removing fragile photo prints, slides and negatives from boxes, sleeves and photo albums. Avoid touching of surface areas and do not force the pictures off from the photo album or from each other.

Another more permanent solution would be to professionally transfer them to CD or DVD.

If professionally scanned with specialized scanners, pictures, slides or negatives can then be digitally enhanced with specialized software to help restore the faded dyes to a point somewhere near to original appearance depending on the extend of the damage. Some minor scratches could also be repaired by qualified technicians. This solution has many benefits; not only the pictures will last a lifetime on a CD or DVD but can also be easily copied and share with family and friends all around the world.

Where scan your precious memories?, Looking for Scanning Services?

 

There are many 35mm slides tucked away in closets, attics, basements, and drawers. Their owners may have inherited the slides from relatives or friends. Or they may have gone to the trouble thirty or forty years ago to have their vacations and family events preserved on slides. Very few people watch “old-fashioned” slide shows today. Slide projectors have become outdated, many are broken, and most people don’t have the time to set up a slide projector and view their old slides.

The solution to this dilemma is to convert slides to a digital formal. Old 35mm slides can be converted to TIFF or JPEG format and stored on CD’s or DVD’s. This allows for convenient viewing on a computer monitor or television. When you convert slides to digital format, the CD’s and DVD’s take up little storage space. You can organize your photographs according to date or subject and find the exact photograph you want at any time. You will also be able to email or print your slide photographs once they are stored on a CD or DVD.

You can convert slides to digital images yourself. One of the least expensive ways to do this is to take a picture of the slide with a digital camera. To hold the camera steady, use a tripod, with the extension bar pointed towards the floor. Attach the camera to the extension bar, place the slide light box underneath the camera, place a slide in the light box, and take the picture. This method has several drawbacks, including the amount of time required to convert slides and the poor quality of some of the digital pictures.

You can also use a slide scanner to convert slides. Scanners come in a variety of styles and prices. A high quality scanner can cost thousands of dollars. There are some less expensive models, but you may not be pleased with the digital images produced by these scanners. You will not be able to print your digital images with the lower-end scanners. If you want to convert slides without worrying about the dust that inevitably finds its way to slides, you will need a higher priced model that has the capability of covering the dust for a blemish-free image.

Although there are several alternatives you can use to convert slides, the most trouble-free way is to use a professional photography service that converts slides. You will not need to purchase special equipment or learn to use new software. These services have equipment that can enhance your slide photographs. The resolution of your digital images will be higher than what you will be able to achieve by taking pictures of your slides or using a scanner at home. Dust, scratches, and other marks will be removed from the images. Photograph colors will be adjusted to create true-to-life images. This is especially important if your slides have faded over time. Professional services that convert slides typically guarantee their work. The most reputable services accept payment only after you have received the digital images and have had time to review them.

About thirty-five to forty years ago, 35mm slides were quite popular. Families documented their vacations and special occasions with series of slides, businesses used slide shows for important presentations, and students learned about faraway places and science from slide shows. Each slide was placed, in order and in the correct orientation, into the slide carousel, and the show began.

Image technology has come a long way since the 60’s and 70’s. PowerPoint presentations, digital cameras, and photographs on CD’s and DVD’s are used for displaying pictures and presentations. Many people have boxes and cases full of old 35mm slides that sit gathering dust because viewing the slides is too cumbersome or the slide projector is broken. Fortunately, slides can now be converted to a digital format onto CD’s and DVD’s for easy storage and viewing with slide scanning.

You can use a flatbed scanner or a film scanner to scan your slides. Film scanners can range in price from $300 to over $1,000, but they produce a higher quality reproduction. Some of the scanner features you need to consider before making a purchase are resolution, DPI, PPI, dynamic range, and bit depth.

The resolution of a scanned image is the measurement of how sharp, or clear, the scanned image is. The DPI, or dots per inch, is the measurement of the number of image dots a printer is capable of printing into 2.54cm (one linear inch) of space. A higher DPI typically results in a higher resolution. Pixel, a combination of the words “picture” and “element,” is a term that refers to the smallest unit of an image. This is typically a color dot. The number of pixels a scanner supports (megapixels) and the size of the image produced determine the PPI, or pixels per inch. As the size of an image increases, the PPI decreases. Scanners with higher megapixels produce images with higher resolution. Dynamic range refers to the capability of distinguishing levels of brightness in an image. A low dynamic range results in a blurry, undefined image, and a high dynamic range produces a sharp, crisp image. Bit depth, or color depth, is the measurement of how many bits, or single units of information, are used to create each pixel in a digital image. Higher bit depths result in brighter and deeper image colors.

There are some drawbacks to do-it-yourself slide scanning. As mentioned previously, the cost of a quality scanner may be prohibitive. You may also end up with a scanner that is difficult to operate or does not perform as you expected. Common problems of scanning slides at home or at your business are damage from fingerprints, choosing the appropriate settings on the scanner, and difficulty producing pictures without scratches and other unsightly marks. Slide scanning can also be a very time-consuming.

For an easier approach to scanning slides, try a professional photography business that offers this service. Professional slide scanning services use top of the line scanners, and the scanned images are clear and blemish-free. You won’t need to bother with purchasing special equipment to scan your slides, and reputable scanning services guarantee their work. Your slide scanning project will be completed in no time!

Scanning negatives and slides can seem a bit tricky, but it can be done with the right equipment and know how. First of all, negatives and slides can be scanned with a scanner, but you cannot just put a negative on the glass and push the button to scan.

The scanner you use has to be one with built in negative scanning ability. Usually, a scanner designed for paper documents wont have this feature, but some do. A good scanner that is suitable for scanning negatives will produce excellent quality scans quickly, and there are different models to choose from that can allow you to scan numerous negatives and slides at once.

Scanning Negatives: DPI and Resolution

To begin, since the image on a negative is so small, you will want to keep a high resolution so that you can enlarge the picture and still maintain good picture quality. A good rule of thumb is that for every doubling in size for the picture, maintain that same increase for your resolution. For example, to get a 4X6in print from a 4X6in scan, the recommended dpi setting is 300. To get an 8X11 from that same scan, double the dpi to 600, and so on.

Scanning Negatives: Files and Output Type

There are several different file formats for images that computers use. These are TIFF, JPEG, and BMP files, just to name a few. The best files for scanning negatives are TIFF files. TIFFs can be edited and saved easily, and without compression loss. However, TIFFs can be large files that take up much memory. Besides choosing a file format, Output Type is another variable to consider when scanning. The default output type is usually Millions of Colors which is the best for photos with lots of color. Grayscale is for black and white pictures. It is recommended, though, that you maintain the default setting for color output, because this maintains the highest picture quality, and photo enhancement software can easily take the color photo and put it in black and white for you.

A word of caution about storage space: Many people have found that file sizes can mount quickly with scanning, saving, and editing photos. Pay special attention to file sizes and how much space is available on a CD or disk that you are saving the pictures to. Try to see about how much space a picture file uses, multiply that by the number of files you are saving, and make sure you dont run out of space in the middle of creating your masterpieces!

Keeping these tips and other important points in mind will help you decipher the puzzle of scanning negatives. These tips will get you started on your way to turning your tiny negatives into meaningful photographs that you will treasure for years to come.

About forty years ago, 35mm slides were a favored way to chronicle vacations and special family events. Businesses used slide presentations for instructional and sales purposes. Today, 35mm slide shows have become almost obsolete. Not many people take the time to bring a slide projector out of its storage area, set up their 35mm slides in the projector’s carousel, and then show the slides on a screen. If you’re one of the many people with boxes and cartons of old slides that have accumulated in closets and drawers, you might want to try scanning your 35mm slides. This will free up storage space and give you a quick and easy way to present your old pictures. Scanning 35mm slides will give you high quality pictures and even allows you to make additional prints.

One of the first things you need to do before you begin your project of scanning 35mm slides is to select the slides that you really want to keep. Most people have a very difficult time getting rid of photographs, and this is true of slides, too. Since you’ll be spending both time and money to scan your slides, you’ll need to decide if you really need to keep all of them. Choose the best slides and the ones that have the most sentimental value for you, and you’ll end up with a great collection of pictures to view and share with family and friends.

Scanning 35mm slides is something you can do at home. There are many different models of 35mm slide scanners, ranging in prices from under $100 to well over $1,000. If you’re short on time, consider using a professional photography service for scanning 35mm slides. You can probably find a local photography business or you can use an online photography service. Compare costs of the various businesses, but also consider the reputation and services offered.

If you decide to try your hand at scanning 35mm slides at home, look for a scanner that fits your budget and provides features that you need. Some scanners only allow you to view the scanned prints from the scanner, and other models have software that lets you scan your 35mm slides to your computer and then transfer them to a CD or DVD. You can then view your slides at any time with a computer or DVD player and television. This means you will need much less storage space for your slides, and you can easily carry your slides and show them anywhere. Make sure the scanner software is easy to learn and use.

One of the great things about scanning 35mm slides is that your pictures can be enhanced. You or the photography service professionals can crop the pictures to include only what you want to see, and the colors and brightness of the pictures can be adjusted. Debris that can’t be cleared from the slides and scratches are not a problem. Scanner software fills in the blemished areas with color for a professional-grade picture. No one will suspect that the slide’s image was ever less than perfect!