Scanning 101: P3 How to Scan
Digitizing your photo collection not only protects it from physical degradation but also ensures that these cherished memories can be easily shared and enjoyed for years to come. In this blog, I'll walk you through the process of scanning your photos, from ensuring clean scans to organizing and storing digital files securely. The process should be the same whether you are scanning the photos yourself or you have hired someone to do it for you.
1. Clean Photos
Before scanning your photos, it's crucial to ensure they're clean to achieve the best results. Use a soft brush or compressed air to remove dust and debris from the surface of the photos. For stubborn dirt or smudges, gently wipe the photos with a microfiber cloth dampened with distilled water. Allow the photos to dry completely before scanning to prevent any moisture damage. Additionally, handle the photos with cotton gloves so you are not introducing additional dirt and oils onto the photos.
2. Organize:
Organizing your photo collection before scanning can save you time, money, and effort in the long run. Sort your photos into categories or themes, such as family events, vacations, or special occasions. You can also organize them chronologically or by the people featured in the photos. Having a clear organizational system will make it easier to manage and locate specific photos once they're digitized. If you would like a solution that will easily lead you through the print photo organization process, check out DIG YOUR PHOTOS!
3. Naming Counts Decide on a naming convention once you have organized your photos. This will make it easier to find your memories once they are digitized. The naming conventions for both the folders and the files should reflect how you organized them in the last step. For example if you organized the photos chronologically, then a photo from April 8, 1990 would be named 1990-04-08_WhoWhatWhen. If you sorted by family event, then a photo from a Gordon summer family reunion in 1987 would be named: 1987-GordonFamilyReuinionSummer. I like to put the year first followed by the date if it is known. Additionally, think about your folders, they should be named by the year or by the category. The important point is, once you decide on your naming convention, be consistent with it.
4. Resolution Counts
To scan and preserve cherished memories or digitize old family albums, resolution is paramount. A higher resolution scan captures more detail, ensuring that every nuance of the original print is faithfully reproduced in digital form. This becomes especially crucial when considering factors like enlarging images or printing them in larger formats, where low-resolution scans can result in pixelation and loss of clarity. Moreover, higher resolution scans offer greater flexibility for editing and restoration, allowing you to enhance or repair images without sacrificing quality. Ultimately, investing in high-resolution scanning ensures that precious moments captured on print photos remain vibrant and timeless for generations to come. My recommendation for scanning with a scanner (feed or flatbed) is to scan at a minimum of 600 DPI.
In conclusion, digitizing print pictures is essential for preserving precious memories and ensuring their longevity in the digital age. Whether you choose to scan photos yourself with an at-home scanner, utilize big box company services, or opt for a personalized approach with a photo manager, it is important to follow the above recommendations to ensure you and future generations will be able to treasure your photos for years to come.
