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If you’ve taken a lot of photos with a traditional film camera, you probably
have a truckload of analog photos which are best converted into digital
format.
The reason for this, of course, is that analog photos will wear out with
time, while digital photos can last forever.
To be frank, scanning old photos is a tedious task. I took four months to
scan my old photo collection into the computer.
So, before embarking on this project, make sure you have the time and
resources to do the scanning. This article will show you how to convert your
old analog photos into digital format with as little hassle as possible.
Step 1: Choose a Good Scanner
Before you embark on scanning your photos, it is wise to do some research
and select a quality scanner. There are two types of scanners out there –
flatbed scanners and film scanners. Flatbed scanners are great for general
usage, that is, for scanning printed photos and text documents. Film
scanners are more costly and allow you to scan photo slides and negatives.
Decide which type is more suitable for your scanning needs.
Personally, I like to use the Canon Canoscan 8400F which is sort of a cross
between a flatbed and film scanner. This scanner is great - it can do both
photos as well as slides and negatives.
Step 2: Check Your Photos
Ok, once you’ve purchased your trusty scanner, check the photos you wish to
scan. If you find any dirt or smudges, use a lint-free photowipe to remove
them. Remember not to touch the photos, especially if you have them on
slides. The purpose of doing this, of course, is to ensure that you’re
scanning the best possible photo right at the start. Removing dirt now will
save you from any image editing work later.
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Step 3: Check Your Scanner
Besides checking the photos to be scanned, make sure that the scanner glass
is also clean and free from smudges or fingerprints. Never try to clean the
scanner glass with your fingers. If you need to clean the glass, you should
use some lint-free wipes to do it.
Step 4: Specify the Scan Parameters
The next step is to specify what kind of scanning you wish to do. Most of
the scanners in the market allow you (through the use of some software) to
specify what image resolution you want to capture. I try to choose 300 dpi
as a minimum for my photos, but usually use 600 dpi. Of course, scanning at
a higher resolution means a slower scan speed, but remember – a high quality
scan will help to preserve your photos so that they are as close to the
original as possible.
Step 5: Start Scanning
Next step is to place the photo face-down on the scanner glass and start
scanning. When placing the photo, it’s sometimes quite tough to get the
alignment right. I usually place the photo first, then do a preview of the
scan. If it’s out of alignment, you can then slowly adjust it until it’s ok.
When doing the preview, it’s also helpful to check that no part of the photo
has been cut off and that it is free from specks or dirt.
Step 6: Repair and Restore Your Photos
Right, assume you’ve finished scanning and obtained your picture files. You
can do an optional step – that is, to repair and restore the photo. If a
scanned picture looks bad, I will try to use a photo editor to clean it up.
Most photo editing programs will filters to remove noise, dust and speckles
from images. For example, in Paint Shop Pro, you can use the Despeckle
Filter. Other tasks to be performed include the adjustment of color and
contrast, removal of red eye and image sharpening. You can also check out my
guide on touching up photos.
Conclusion
I hope I’ve given you some idea of how to scan and digitize your old photo
collection. Scanning your old photos is time consuming, but it is very
rewarding. It’s great to have the feeling that your old photos are forever
preserved in digital format and insusceptible to wear and tear. So, the next
time you want to scan photos, do remember the above tips and your job will
be a lot easier.
A
review of the SmugMug photo-sharing service
This article provides a review of SmugMug, a popular photo-sharing service
on the Net. SmugMug offers many built-in styles for displaying your photos
as well as some slick photo-editing abilities.
Picasa 2 software review
This Picasa 2 software review provides an analysis of the powerful photo
organizer from Google.
A review of the Epson PictureMate photo printer
A review of the Epson PictureMate photo printer, a reasonably priced printer
for all your photo printing needs.
A list of important digital photography gear to bring along when traveling
A scoop of the most essential photography gear and accessories you need
while traveling.
Learn all about image file formats and image compression
This article discusses the various image file formats out there. Also learn
about the concepts behind image compression.
For more articles, be sure to visit Basic-Digital-Photography.com.
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Recommended Digital Photography Tools & Services |
Learn
to Take Beautiful Photos
If you want to
improve your digital photography skills, you may want to take a look at Digital Photography Success. This e-book includes
excellent step-by-step instructions on how to take professional photos - just like those in glossy magazines.
Share
Your Pictures at SmugMug
If you've tons of digital photos to share and but are not sure which photo
sharing site to choose, then do take a look at Smugmug .
You can to upload, arrange and share your photos, as well as buy prints or burn
picture CDs.
Convert
Your Photos to VCD or DVD
By converting them to VCD or DVD format, you can view the photos as a slideshow on the TV. A great tool for doing this is Ulead
CD & DVD PictureShow
- it comes complete with themed photo slideshow templates and stunning
video effects.
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