Preserving Time Project--preservingtime.org
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Heritage Lost:  Scanning Old Photos and Documents
 
KEY: Set up all destination folders first.
  • Sort photos into logical batches.
  • Work with one batch at a time. Scan only one item per scan.
  • Sort photos horizontally and vertically and then largest to smallest.
  • There are many formats you can scan in.  Jpeg is the most common, but is not the best choice for archiving photos.  Jpeg scans are lossy files.  TIFF files are un-compressed loss-less files.  They are best for archiving, but are also very large files.  Another alternative is PNG.  My choice for documents is PDFA.
  • I recommend scanning almost everything in color.  There is a lot of color in old “black and white” photos and they will look very flat if scanned in grayscale or true black and white.  You lose the character of old documents if you can’t see the aged color in the paper.  If a document has no visual appeal, and is for information only, then don’t worry about scanning in color.
  • Resolution is also important.  The higher the better quality, but the file size increases exponentially.  Scanning at higher resolution than the original item will not change its native resolution and give better images.  300-600 dpi is commonly used for scanning photos.  Slides and negatives need to be scanned at much higher resolution—1200 dpi at a minimum.
  • I recommend using the software that comes with your scanner.  Use the “Professional” or “Advanced” mode rather than the “Auto” mode for the best results.
  • DO NOT line items up in the corner of the scanner bed if you want to scan all the way to the edge of the item.
  • Clean the scanner bed with an eyeglass microfiber cloth and check for fingerprints, hair, dust or crumbs as you continue to work.
  • Thicker items can be scanned, but you may need to provide a larger backdrop for them.
  • Name batches of photos to facilitate organization later. They can then be more easily moved to the proper location.
  • Create a back-up file of your scans and store it in another location!!!!
  • Keep a master copy of original scans.  Never edit on these files.  Make a copy of your original scan file and edit the file copy!
  • Links to more detailed information about file format, resolution and scanning in general are available at: http://www.preservingtime.org/photos-and-stories.html
 
Hints for long term storage of photos if not displaying them in an album:
  • Always store photos away from heat, light and humidity.  They do best with a little air circulation, but will more likely survive a fire if they are stored as air-tight as possible.
  • Always use acid-free products and plastics. 
  • Make sure photos are contained in a way that they will stay flat and not warp.
  • Display copies or view scans—especially if the originals are fragile.
  • Use common sense to balance archival preservation with what is practical.
  • Remember if you don’t preserve these things, they will likely get thrown away later because no one can identify the people or feel the connection to them.
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  • Home
  • Handouts
    • Archiving and Preservation >
      • Preserving Family Treasures
      • SAVE THE BOX
      • What do I DO with the STUFF?
      • Personal History Debate/ Laying Out Page
      • Avoiding Digital Disasters
      • Clues to Identifying Photos
      • Gathering THE STUFF
      • Interviews
      • Photo Organization
      • Memory Jogger ?s for Writing Personal Histories
      • More on Archiving--The Good, The Bad and The Terrible
      • Scanning Photos and Documents
    • Journaling in a Jiffy
    • Secrets/ Not Overwhelmed by Family History
    • Beginning Research Checklist
    • Evaluating Information
    • Family History: 15 Minutes at a Time
    • Going Digital with your Genealogy
    • Limiting Internet Searches
    • Ordinances Ready as a Starting Point
    • Organize to Fit the Way YOU Think
    • Personal Research Toolbox
    • Family History Notetaking
  • Web-site Project
    • Top Favorites
    • General Sites
    • Cemeteries/ Death Records
    • Census
    • Immigration, Emigration and Migration Records
    • Land Records- United States
    • LDS Websites
    • Libraries
    • Location Specific >
      • United States
      • State Specific
      • Other Countries
    • Maps/ Address & Phone Numbers
    • Military Records
    • Newspapers
    • Other 'Web-Site Projects'
    • Search Engines
  • Toolbox
    • Good to Know Basics >
      • Good to Know-Basics
      • Finding YOUR Best Place to Work
      • Census Records
      • Clues--Finding Missing Family
      • Computer and Tech Basics
      • OCR & Online Searches
      • Ocupsyshun Census Taker
      • Relationship Chart
      • Research Checklist
    • FamilySearch.org >
      • Good To Know-FamilySearch
      • Tree Connect: Adding Sources from Outside FamilySearch
      • Browse Records-FamilySearch
      • Find/ Add People in FamilySearch
      • No Image? Maybe There Is One
      • RelativeFinder.org
    • Apps & Links >
      • BYU Family History Labs
    • Reference Article Links
    • SPECIAL EVENTS INFO: >
      • 2020 Handouts
      • 2019 Fair Handouts
      • 2018 Fair Handouts
    • Getting Started for True Beginners
    • Consultants >
      • Strengthen Teaching Skills
    • Teaching Tools
    • Save the Box
    • Scanning, VHS and Cassette Tapes
    • Handwriting Helps
  • Photos and Stories
    • Scanning Multiple Photos/ Same Time
    • Scanner Hints
  • Charts and Blank Forms
    • Relationship Chart
  • Articles, Tutorials & Classes