There are many reasons why you would want to digitise your old photos from your hard cover photo albums.
It could be a way to reduce clutter in your home. It could be a way to give copies of your precious memories to family and friends. It could even be because you just want to share your favourite old photos on social media. Its a great way to make sure your precious memories are safe for future generations. No matter the reason, there are a few different ways to do it.
First you can simply scan them, if you have a scanner at home.
The trick here is to make sure your scanner is completely clean. Using an alcohol-based cleaning wipe will do the job. Also make sure your photos are clear of dust, with a soft microfibre cloth.
If you scan the photos at a high resolution you can scan a few at once and crop them later. Look for a minimum of 300 dots per inch when scanning. 600 dpi is even better if you want to enlarge the image (such as if the photo is only small to start with).
Some scanners are also able to scan slides and negatives, so it might be worth the small initial cost to buy one of these if you have lots in your possession.
A digital camera is a quick way to record a copy of your photos. You can also use your smart phone. Phone cameras have improved so much, so if you have a relatively recent phone, try using one.
Look for natural light. Overhead lights and sun can cause reflections, especially on glossy photos. Build yourself a ‘light box’ by putting material up around the area to prevent any light leaks, or even placing the photograph inside a large cardboard box.
Make sure the photos are laying flat. If they have creases or bends (especially if they have been removed from an album or a curled in the heat from storage, try laying a piece of glass over top. A thin piece works best, such as what you find in a photo frame. Again, watch your reflections, as this could make it worse.
If you find you can’t get rid of reflections or shadow while taking the pic, try putting the photo on an angle. It could be by placing it on a flat surface, such as a book, and leaning it on a 45 degree angle to the wall. Again, make sure the photo is laying flat. You can still place the glass over top in need.
There are a number of phone apps that can help make the job easier; such as PhotoScan, Photomyne, Cam Scanner or Shoebox. They all have different options and price points, so research what would suit you the best.
If either of these options still sound beyond you, check out your local photo store. Many of them can do a bulk scan for you. It will cost you money but will save a whole lot of time.
Once you have your photos in a digital form you can arrange your digital albums as you like, edit them, crop them, restore or enhance them. This is where you can also include historical information, names and details or the images, so that information will be there for generations to come. Don’t forget to download the albums onto a USB and share them around.