Advice on Scanning Photos?

DawnMarch

DawnMarch

Active member
I visited my Mom recently and raided her old photos stash to get some photos from when I was a kid. I'd like to scan them for scrapbook pages, but have no idea what I'm doing. They are mostly 3x5 to 4x6. Some b&w, some color. I have a flatbed scanner, but don't know what resolution to scan or type of file to create?

Any scanning experts out there who might be able to share some advice/tips? Thanks!!!
 
I have been scanning in old 35mm slides from the 60s-70s - and I always use 600 dpi - which makes a big file. The reference book I use "PSE 5 Restoration & Retouching Book" is EXCELLENT for any tips on making damaged photos look better also. (That book says you can scan at 300 dpi for print quality)

I know that when using PSE you can scan multiple photos (at 1/4-inch between each) and then select "Image-->Divide Scanned Photos" and it will automatically put your photos into separate documents to work with!
 
Thank you LouAnn! I think I had read 600 dpi somewhere too. Does the type of file make any difference? I seem to have a choice btw jpeg, tiff and a compressed tiff, but I don't want to compress it if it's going to affect the quality.
 
i scan @ 600 dpi too.

my only advice would be to make sure your scanner glass is as clean as possible.

(do not scan your child's crayon drawings by placing the drawing directly on the scanner glass. you will end up with crayon bits stuck to the glass. put down a transparency first . . .)
 
Thank you! I never thought of that with crayon's Mimi -- it's a good point. Lately I just photograph all my kids art anyway, it's a lot faster!
 
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