how do you copy old fashioned photos - no negatives, just the original print

MsDee

Hi everyone,

I have some old family pictures - for example a 6x4 print and I'd like to know what the best way to duplicate them is.

Can I just take it say to Boots and they will copy for me - will they be able to re-produce the exact same quality of the original snap?

Is there also any chance of having that original photo made bigger, even though it is a 6x4 and again if that is possible, would the quality be compromised?

Does anyone know of any cheaper ways of doing it?

many thanks

Dee

The_Grandmaster

You could use a scanner to copy the picture to your computer and then print it yourself at same size or enlarging picture with the printing properties. Not exactly sure how good it will turn out but would be the cheapest option.

I think you might be able to photocopy it too and print it straight without a computer. You would need a photo printing printer I would think rather than a normal one? Although I may be wrong.

Richie-from-the-Boro

MsDee wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I have some old family pictures - for example a 6x4 print and I'd like to know what the best way to duplicate them is.

Can I just take it say to Boots and they will copy for me - will they be able to re-produce the exact same quality of the original snap?

Is there also any chance of having that original photo made bigger, even though it is a 6x4 and again if that is possible, would the quality be compromised?

Does anyone know of any cheaper ways of doing it?

many thanks

Dee

Do you own a Printer / Scanner ?

Just_landed

Check the link below I have just used one putting photos on my computer going back to the begining of the 1900, once on your computer the world is your oyster as they say.




http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Journe-Digital-Photo-Scanner/dp/B002DV17KQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276298777&sr=1-1

nearlyrich

I have had some good results when taking a picture of old photos with a digital camera. I also use a scanner, once you have it digitised you can get reprints, you might struggle with blowing them up bigger depends on the original quality. I would say photocopying is a none starter because you lose all the detail.

dave2

You want to use a scanner. I suppose Boots or one of those digital printing places might actually do this, even if they don't directly offer it they may have the facilities because they were thinking about enlarging an existing print.

You will lose quality. The amount of quality loss will depend on the quality of the scanner and the condition of the photograph. If both are good, I expect the quality to be satisfactory for most things - maybe not if you were intending on blowing it up and putting it in a frame on a wall though.

MsDee

Hi all,

Just came back from boots and they do offer this service at a pretty high cost. I think I will just buy the scanner that Just landed posted. I hope they will print the same original quality, the reviews look pretty fair.

Would anyone be able to recommend some good quality photographic paper?

Thanks very much

Dee

Sooler

alternative to buying a scanner, ask around see if anyone you know has one who would do it for you, or if you just have a few to do, try a local copy shop.

MsDee

Sooler wrote: »

alternative to buying a scanner, ask around see if anyone you know has one who would do it for you, or if you just have a few to do, try a local copy shop.

They are all about £1.50 each for a 6x4 and the scanner is only £30, but then again I will need to print then all out, after I've saved them.

Maybe, I'll phone a friend:D

bungle82

I always use Photobox for re-prints. Then you just scan the photo in, upload it and order it. Then you get a professional copy without the fuss of printing it at home (which can work out quite expensive when you factor in the ink, paper, red-doing it when it's not quite right etc).

They're really good and if you're joining for the first time you get 40 free prints! Otherwise normal 6x4s are under 10p, and enlargements not much more.

Hope that helps!

googler

MsDee wrote: »

Hi all,

Just came back from boots and they do offer this service at a pretty high cost. I think I will just buy the scanner that Just landed posted. I hope they will print the same original quality, the reviews look pretty fair.

Would anyone be able to recommend some good quality photographic paper?

Thanks very much

Dee

If you just want to make extra prints from the original prints, then any HP or similar make all-in-one scanner/printer will make a copy directly from your original.

Up to you to decide if the quality is good enough from this. The quality of the prints will depend more on the quality of the printer than the paper, I'd suggest.