Tips and techniques to help you scan like a pro !

Whether you want to restore vintage family photographs or create a digital archive of your favorite snapshots, scanning is the first step in preserving your photos for years to come? Here are some tips and techniques to help you scan like a pro.


Picture selection
Choose your photo to scan? You can enhance faded color and sharpen some fuzziness with image-editing software, but it's best to start with clear, vibrant images whenever possible. The better your photo is, the better your scan will be.

The right resolution
Scanner resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi). More dots translate into a sharper image. A good rule of thumb is to scan a master copy of your image at 300 dpi. This gives you flexibility if you want to use the same image in different ways. Perhaps you want to feature your photo in a scrapbook layout and e-mail it. You can make copies of your master and then resize them. Of course, if you have a specific use in mind, you can scan at a lower resolution.


Resolution to use:
72 dpi - Scanning photos for e-mail or the Web
150 dpi - Scanning photos for inkjet printing
300 - Scanning photos for archiving (storing a high-resolution master copy of your photo on your hard drive or on a disc)
Above 300 dpi - Scanning slides or negatives for prints larger than 5" x 7"

I always save my pictures at 300 dpi or sometimes 600 dpi.

Photo file formats
After you scan an image, you can save it in several different file formats. Choosing the right format depends on how you'll use your image.

JPEG: If you're sure that you'll only view your image onscreen (e-mailing or posting it online), save it as a JPEG, which compresses the file size to speed download times. This format loses some image quality during compression, but the loss isn't too noticeable onscreen.

TIFF: If you're printing your image or if you're uncertain how you'll use it in the future, save it as a TIFF. This format preserves detail and color information, which will give you maximum flexibility. You can always save a copy of a TIFF file as a JPEG, but you can't create a high-quality TIFF image from a JPEG. You'll thank yourself later.

Scan your photo in the orientation in which it will be used, either vertically or horizontally. Use your scanning software to remove dust, scratches, and red-eye; restore faded color; and automatically enhance color in dark areas. Then archive your files to disc or share with family and friends. Once you've scanned your old photos, slides, and negatives, it's easy to use them in projects or make gifts and keepsakes.

Since I have been putting my books together it has been fun scanning old family pictures and sharing them with family all over the world. I have the HP Officejet 5610 All-in-One Printer, Copier, Scanner, Fax and it is not very expensive and does a fabulous job of scanning. Also it gives you the option of scanning it directly into an email. I love it.

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