Converting old photos

[Deleted User]

Sorry if this is a basic question. I have an old photo of my parents when they were young and need to get it transferred into a digital image. Have tried scanning it on our printer at home but the quality wasn't good. I really don't want to risk sending it through the post anywhere in case it gets lost :eek:

Can anyone suggest a way forward? Thanks.

InsideInsurance

Scanning it or talking a photo of it really are your only options.

If you dont want to post it then many print shops will have better quality scanners but inevitably will charge more than a mailorder service

Do you have the negative? You can often get better scans from that than a photo

googler

Check your scanner settings to see if they can be improved, or get a better printer/scanner.

If you have the negative, get a negative scanner.

Or find a local photo shop, photographer, etc. with a good scanner who'll do the biz in front of you.

Ralph-y

do you know how to use your scanner ?

What do you wish to use the digital image for ? printing / viewing on a computer / tablet ?

if you could give a little more info as to what you are using and why the image quality was not very good

Ralph:cool:

Twisted_Cherry

A scanner should do the job ok, but of course this also depends on the quality of the scanner and image etc.


I've scanned lots of old photos and have always been happy with them!

Chrishazle

You have to scan the photo in using software like Adobe Photoshop, Paintshop Pro etc, then use the image enhancement tools in the software to play with the image until you get the result you want. Also check that your scanner is set to at least 600dpi resolution, preferably more in this case.

Stompa

As suggested, try taking a digital photo of it (using a macro setting). I've done a few this way, and the results have been surprisingly good.

harleq1962

try one of the high street stores like max speilman, they do more digital photography now and have scanners in store, they scan and hand the photo back to you. im sure they would be able to save it to some form of digital media.

Sooler

Buy a decent photo scanner
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Epson-Perfection-Scanner-ReadyScan-Technology/dp/B00ECBRW5E

yangptangkipperbang

Sooler wrote: »

Buy a decent photo scanner
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Epson-Perfection-Scanner-ReadyScan-Technology/dp/B00ECBRW5E

I've got an earlier version of this scanner - excellent ! I've used it scan in a lot of old photos, then "repaired" them in Photoshop.

macman

You need to scan it at at least 300dpi to get an acceptable printed result-any desktop scanner and software is able to do that, so check your settings. Once you have it converted to a digital file, you can have it printed wherever you like-home, high street, online.