Do you have old photos at home that you want to share with friends and family? Are you looking for a way to clean up a storage area full of old photos? Learning different ways to photograph old sheets of photos can help you decide how to digitally archive them so they can be more easily accessed and shared with others.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Taking Photos with Phone
Step 1. Use the Notes app if you have an iPhone with iOS 11
Open the app and create a new note. Tap the black button with the “+” symbol above the keyboard. Select the “Scan Document” option. Follow the instructions on the screen so you can easily scan photos using your phone!
- The application will display a yellow box. You just need to align the document with the box. When it's aligned, press the camera button to take a picture. The application will automatically correct the slanted parts.
- You can scan multiple times in a row. After tapping the “Keep Scan” option, the screen will return to the scan page so you can repeat the process immediately.
- Tap “Save” when finished to return to the main page of your document.
- You can edit photos from the app by tapping the scanned image. You can adjust the size, change the image, and adjust its orientation, as well as share photos taken directly from the Notes app.
Step 2. Use the PhotoScan app if you are using an Android or iOS based phone
Download the free application. After that, you can open it and start scanning!
- When the app opens, point the camera at the photo you want to capture. The app will align 4 dots over the image and ask you to point the camera at each for a few moments. This only takes about 2 minutes more or less.
- This app can detect photos automatically so you don't have to crop the photo to fit its size.
- The app will remove the gloss from the image automatically so you can start taking pictures without doing much preparation.
- This app will combine the photos you take of each circle to form one clear image.
Step 3. Use another scanner app if you can't access PhotoScan or Notes
These applications provide the same functionality, such as automatic image cropping, editing capabilities, and perspective enhancement. If you have an iPhone with an older operating system, this option will come in handy!
- Some applications that you can use are Photomyne, TurboScan, or Shoebox. Some of these apps have to be purchased (with a price of around IDR 20,000 to IDR 50,000). So, check the functionality first to make sure it fits your needs before making a purchase.
- Once you've selected the app you want to use, download it from your phone's app store and follow the instructions for use. Most applications provide detailed instructions on how to take and modify images.
Method 2 of 4: Using a Digital Camera
Step 1. Use a tripod to keep the camera steady when taking pictures
Holding the camera by hand can result in blurry images due to shaking hands. Mount the camera best between the legs of the tripod. Use the lever on top of the camera to ensure that the lens is parallel to the photo.
- When buying a tripod, look for a device that has a reversible center column. This is a way to get the angle of the shot in reverse.
- Position the tripod on a solid floor or table. The goal of this is to minimize camera shake as much as possible.
Step 2. Place a large white poster sheet under the tripod
You can use large sheets of paper. This provides a clear background for your photos. Don't use dark or black underlays under the photo – this will make the edges of the photo harder to see when you crop the image.
Step 3. Turn off the flash on the camera and check your room lighting
Most digital cameras have a feature to correct poor lighting, but you should still not shoot in a dark room. Use lights, headlights, or natural lighting to help you get the best quality photos possible.
- Using the flash will result in a sparkling photo.
- Turn on the lights or use natural lighting to brighten up the room.
Step 4. Choose the right aperture according to the lighting in your room
A small aperture is suitable for a bright room, while a large aperture will produce a brighter photo in a dark room. The mechanism is the same as the pupil dilates when you are in a dark place – the eye will naturally seek out the brightest area.
Often, digital cameras will adjust this automatically, but you can also make manual adjustments to get different results. You may be surprised at the difference in quality that results from different aperture settings
Step 5. Set the camera's film speed to the lowest setting
This setting is called “ISO” and the minimum setting on most cameras is 100. A low ISO can reduce spots in photos. The higher the ISO, the lighter the color. So, make sure that the setting is kept low so that the photo looks clearer.
Step 6. Set the camera's shutter speed to a low number
Shutter speed is the speed at which your camera's shutter opens. The longer it takes the shutter to capture the image, the blurrier the result will be. Since you will be taking a still image, you do not need to use a high shutter speed setting.
Try a few different rules once you get the lighting you want. This way, you can determine what ISO setting is best for getting the desired result
Step 7. Use the remote control or self-timer option on the camera
This will save you from having to hold the camera so it won't vibrate. Once you've got the settings you want and the photo backdrop is ready, shoot!.
Step 8. Take some photos, then check the quality
View the resulting photos and make the necessary adjustments. Doing this when you start taking photos saves you from having to take hundreds of photos if you use the wrong settings!
Method 3 of 4: Scanning Photos
Step 1. Choose an automatic scanner to take a large number of photos
If you want to take hundreds or thousands of photos, using an automatic scanner can save you a lot of time.
- Once the scanner is turned on and connected to the computer, you can follow the instructions and start scanning photos one by one without any delay.
- If you choose this option, we recommend placing the photos in order before doing so. Photos will be saved in the order in which they were scanned. So, pre-ordering the photos can help you save time after the scanning process is complete.
Step 2. Choose a flat-bed scanner if you are worried that the photos will not be optimal
This way, you can change the settings on each photo individually, if you want. These scanners usually have the ability to detect the edges of photos automatically.
- Place 4 photos on the scanner glass at a time for scanning.
- Most scanners have a dedicated button to start the scanning process. Press this button to upload photos to computer!
Step 3. Use a DPI (dots per inch) between 300 and 600
300 is the bare minimum, while 600 will provide a sufficient number of pixels to enlarge a photo while maintaining its quality. This is a great trick for printing photos at a larger size in the future!
Step 4. Use a glass cleaner to prevent the scanned photos from turning blurry
Scrub the cleaner with a lint-free microfiber cloth for best results. Make sure the glass is completely dry before starting to scan photos.
Method 4 of 4: Paying Professionals to Digitally Archive Photos
Step 1. Contact a local photo archiving service to support local businesses
Call or visit the venue directly to find out what digital archiving options are on offer. Make sure you ask for rates and processing times. They may want you to order the photos in advance to speed up filing time.
Step 2. Submit the photo so that it can be digitally archived by a professional
There are many digital archiving service providers on the internet, ranging from archiving photos, videos, to series of moving pictures! Use the internet to read user reviews and choose a service provider that gets positive ratings and reviews.
- DiJiFi, Legacybox, iMemories, or EverPresent are some of the service providers with the highest positive reviews.
- When packing photos that you want to send, put the photos in a plastic bag before putting them in the box. This will keep the photo dry if it is exposed to liquid during transit. This will also help you organize the order in which you want to send photos.
- Use a sturdy box for sending photos – you don't want the container to break and the photos inside to bend or break!
Step 3. Use a professional organizer for better control and personalization
If organizing and archiving your photos digitally seems too complicated for you, hire a personal organizer to take those worries away.
In the United States, there is an institution called The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) which is specifically tasked with maintaining a code of ethics and curriculum for certified professional organizers (CPO). Look for someone with a NAPO certificate when seeking professional services
Tips
- Find out what method you want to use to store digitally archived photos. Do you want to put it in a photo album or special box? Have a plan in place so that your photos aren't as messy as they were before.
- Ask for help! If you digitally archive old family photos, you may need the help of a relative or relative to sort and scan the documents.
