Scanning old photos

londonman81

I am about to start scanning some old family photos in order to have an electronic copy of them before they disintegrate.

However, given the fragile and old nature of these photos, would the process of scanning them cause any damage?

If so, are there any measures I can take to prevent damage?

The scanner I am planning to use is just a regular scanner on a recently purchased Canon all-in-one printer/scanner.

Thanks

macman

The only damage that would result is from the process of physically positioning them on the scanner bed. The actual scanning process involves no physical contact with the original image.
If they are so fragile that they can't be handled onto the scanner, then the only solution is to have them rephotographed in situ.

londonman81

The only damage that would result is from the process of physically positioning them on the scanner bed. The actual scanning process involves no physical contact with the original image...

But doesn't the photo also get affected by being exposed to the bright scanning light? Won't it affect old B&W photos?

TonyMMM

Any light can fade photos over time, but you are talking years and years for "proper" photos (i.e. not those printed with modern inks - which can fade very quickly).

A few seconds on a scanner isn't going to make any difference at all.

macman

Even if it did, you will have by then captured the image-which is presumably the purpose of the exercise. Since the images will continue to deteriorate otherwise, what have you got to lose?

paddyrg

Don't worry, modern scanners are not terribly bright anyway (they don't need to be) - opening the book in a sunlit room would expose the pics to more light than a moment in a scanner

culpepper

You wont damage them just by scanning but only handle them by their edges as fingerprints will scan even when you cant see them with your eyes.