The safety of personal photographs and prints is difficult to ensure, but a sound method for digitizing photos can make the process of preserving them easier. Paper is something that can perish over the years, but digital files can endure for all time when cared for properly.
While it is true that the devices on which these digital images are housed can wear out or be damaged over time, a sensible archive strategy can yield many benefits. The key is to understand how to go about the task of backing up these photographs, and what to do with the storage devices when that task is complete.
Quality scans
Everything begins with the scanning process. Most people will take care of these scans themselves, using whatever scanner they have at home. For large volumes of photographs, it may be helpful to have the scanning done by professionals. Whichever method is chosen, the user will want to obtain the best image he can with each scan.
This is key to any archive program. Get the best possible scan of every image in the collection. Though this will result in a larger image file that takes up more space on a storage drive, it will also result in an image that can be printed at larger sizes later one.
The storage
All of these images need to then be placed onto an external hard drive that is devoted to this one purpose. Do not use compact discs, DVDs, or other storage media that may get broken, scratched, or otherwise abused. The best results require a permanent, dedicated solution.
One last step is necessary to provide an additional layer of security: online backup. This will help to ensure that even if the home burns to the ground, those photographs will still exist in cyberspace. With this system for digitizing photos, every photograph can be safely protected for eternity.
While it is true that the devices on which these digital images are housed can wear out or be damaged over time, a sensible archive strategy can yield many benefits. The key is to understand how to go about the task of backing up these photographs, and what to do with the storage devices when that task is complete.
Quality scans
Everything begins with the scanning process. Most people will take care of these scans themselves, using whatever scanner they have at home. For large volumes of photographs, it may be helpful to have the scanning done by professionals. Whichever method is chosen, the user will want to obtain the best image he can with each scan.
This is key to any archive program. Get the best possible scan of every image in the collection. Though this will result in a larger image file that takes up more space on a storage drive, it will also result in an image that can be printed at larger sizes later one.
The storage
All of these images need to then be placed onto an external hard drive that is devoted to this one purpose. Do not use compact discs, DVDs, or other storage media that may get broken, scratched, or otherwise abused. The best results require a permanent, dedicated solution.
One last step is necessary to provide an additional layer of security: online backup. This will help to ensure that even if the home burns to the ground, those photographs will still exist in cyberspace. With this system for digitizing photos, every photograph can be safely protected for eternity.
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