Has Grandma’s trunk left you with dozens of old photos? Scan and preserve those memories and keep them safe forever!
If you are like me, your pictures have moved around from house to house and room to room. They have been pulled out, borrowed, returned and tucked away…again and again.
So, they have pretty much been handled by everyone and everything. Now, they are probably scratched, torn and not looking too hot.
But, they hold so many wonderful memories and will always be a part of your life that is too hard to let go of.
So, how can you get them from paper to your computer? Scanning them is the obvious and pretty much the only choice. Of course, we would all love to have a large format scanner to get a perfectly scanned picture.
Well, that didn’t work for me. We live a modest life on a tight budget and that just doesn’t fit in.
I tried my little multi-function printer and the color was blah! Plus, it took so long to scan a few pictures and I had dozens!
What’s the Alternative?
No need to invest in a high priced scanner, just pull out your camera phone! There are several free apps that will let you quickly scan pictures right to your phone. I tried all of these and was surprised at how well they turned out!
- Google PhotoScan – Creates enhanced digital glare-free scans. The app will automatically crop, rotate and color correct your photos.
- Pic Scanner – Scans multiple pictures with one touch and saves each individually. Allows you to adjust rotation and perform image enhancements.
- Photomyne – Scans multiple pictures with one touch and saves each individually. Allows image enhancements with different filters.
- Shoebox – Scans using edge detection and perspective correction. Allows you to add details, captions, and dates.
Scanning Tips
Always use caution when handling old photos. Yes, they are fragile and damage can occur in an instant.
Scan your photos just as they are. Don’t try and press out the creases or mash any tears back into place. You take a chance of making the damage worse.
If they are slightly dirty or dusty, use a micro cloth or powder brush to brush it away. Of course, don’t try and clean off photos that are the slightest bit damaged. You don’t want to make it worse.
Depending on what your plans are for the scanned photos, always select the highest resolution available. Your photos will turn out much better. You can lower the resolution for web use later.
Scan your photos outside in the natural light. The sidewalk is ideal; but, make sure to brush away any dirt or debris!
Stand over the top of the photo. This prevents any shadows from mysteriously appearing!
Don’t hesitate to take a DO OVER! A bad scan makes for a bad picture.
Remember, old photos are just that. Don’t overcompensate when editing to try and get it color perfect. Keep the nostalgia alive and let them look aged.
Lastly, keep your photos organized after scanning. You will be thankful when looking for a specific photo. See my post on Organizing Your Photos for the easiest way!
Out of Time? Let Someone Else Do the Work For You!
If you prefer to outsource, here are a couple of online photo scanning sites. For a fee, they will take your old photos and will provide you with digitized copies.
- GoPhoto – Digitizes photos, negatives and slides. Will fix color issues and remove minor dust and scratches. Pricing starts at .44¢ per image.
- Scan My Photos – Allows 150dpi, 300dpi or 600dpi resolution. Offers enhancements and color restoration. Pricing starts at .16¢ per image.
Keep up to date with our latest news, inspirations, tips, tutorials and everything else we have going on! Subscribe to the DigiGirls Chatter newsletter and get the good news delivered directly to your inbox. No spam, no tricks and no gimmicks! It’s just fun and free information we want to share!
