Negative scanning - See here

FAQ’s

I also suggest you read more about the scanning process with some of the questions and answers I’ve listed below. Having your photos scanned is a lot more than just dumping your stuff in a box, shipping it off and hoping for the best, this information will help you understand and be better able to prepare your order.

Preparation for scanning
There are questions to ask yourself before sending off an order to be scanned. I like to have a conversation with my clients and help answer and offer suggestions about these questions.

• What is it going to look like when I get the scans back?

• Should I scan everything?

• How do I protect these items after they are scanned?

• Can I add some information and dates about some or all of them?

What is it going to look like when I get the scans back?
You can send off a box of prints and other items to be scanned by me or another scanning service, but what you will get back is a lot of unorganized digital files in a lot of unorganized folders.

I suggest that even a little bit of preparation can help you get back a set of organized files ready to import and integrate into your photo library and archive. We can talk about simple and easy ways to prepare your order.

Should I scan everything?
Why spend money on things you don’t need to…
Should you scan and keep everything?
Should you keep everything, and scan just some of the items.
Should you just scan some and just keep some?
There are no right answers, only what is right for you. I’m happy to talk to you about these options and maybe help you find the best answer.

How do I protect these items after they are scanned?
Once you decide what you wish to keep, you will want to make sure they are protected and stored safely. There are a number of archival storage containers for all kind of items: prints, slide, negatives, and documents. We can talk about these options and where to get them. 

Can I add some information and dates about some or all of them?
When you take a photo with a digital device it stamps it with the date and time. When you scan old photos, the date stamp is the date it was scanned. Not helpful if you plan to integrate into your digital library. We can talk about some simple ways to properly identify, and accurately date stamp your scans.

About Prints
People have been ordering prints from their local photo store, 1-hour photo lab, or drug store for generations, and in the 1970s, machine prints made it possible to print large numbers of our film rolls quickly and inexpensively. The prints came on all sizes: in the 50s and 60s, square prints were popular, but 4 x 6 and 5 x 7 inches probably became the most common print sizes in later years.

The archivalness of these prints really depends on the lab, and the process and ink they used, as well as how they have been stored. But they are all subject to fading and oxidation over time. Prints in albums often deteriorate faster than prints kept in boxes as they are exposed to more light as well as many of the toxic adhesives used in photo albums.

My batch scanner can accommodate prints up to 8.5 x 12 inches providing they are in good condition and are not brittle or torn. If they are not in good condition, or are larger than 8.5 x 12 inches, they will have to be scanned using a flatbed or camera scanner. This process is a bit more expensive but is the only option available that will ensure the safety of fragile prints or accommodate the larger sizes.

Restoration and retouching
In my scanning process, I do not color correct, or color restore any scans, aside from some general adjustments, the scan will generally reflect the look of the original. If you wish to have some color restoration or retouching done, we can discuss these options and help you decide what will best suit your purposes.

Negatives and Slides
Slides and negatives are both film: slides are a positive version of the image, and negatives, both color and B&W, portray a negative (obviously) of the image.  Because of this, a scanned negative will require an interpretation of the image to show it as a positive image, this is usually done by the scanning software but in some cases the image may need a manual adjustment as well.

People ask me if they should scan the negatives or if they can just scan the prints. It really depends on what you plan to do with your scans. A scan from a negative will yield a much higher quality scan as well as a larger one, especially if compared to a print that is 4 x6 or close to it.

If you are just planning on viewing and sharing digital versions of a photo, scanning the print will usually be good enough for your needs if the print is in good shape and not too small. However, if you plan to make a larger print, or perhaps print an album, in those cases you would probably want to get the best scan you can and scanning the negative would be the best way to do that.

I am happy to discuss your ideas and plans and give you some suggestions on the best ways to accomplish them.
Use the form at the top of this page to get in touch and ask me questions.