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Thursday 1 November 2012

Tips On How To Scan Photographs And Obtain The Best Results

By Tonia Michael


There are different reasons why you might want to convert printed photos into digital ones. It lets you easily share them on the internet, create slideshows and have files for archiving. The use of a scanner is essential no matter which of these goals you are after. Below you can find some help on how to scan to get superb results.

Although they may look different, all scanners basically do the same job. If your intention is to have digital copies of photographs, a flatbed scanner will do the trick. This machine has a glass surface or platen where you put the photograph face down for it to be captured, just like a photocopier. There is really no need to get the most expensive one around.

The various settings on the machine may be intimidating at first. But if you are looking to using it each time for producing digital copies not only of printed snapshots but also documents, it's a good idea to be familiar with using the equipment. Spend time to experimenting with fine tuning the settings before you kick start your old photograph scanning project.

An automatic setting can be usually found on most models. Using it is a great way to save time, but you may not be able to enjoy the kind of output you prefer. One of the settings you have to be familiar with is the resolution which is in dpi, or short for dots per inch. Choose a bigger number if you want an outcome that's highly detailed and has a large file size.

For posting on social media sites, going for 200 to 300 dpi is fine. If you plan on someday printing the photos, choosing larger resolutions is recommended. But do take note that this will result in longer scanning time as well as large file sizes which can eat up more computer hard disk space.

You also have to decide between scanning in grayscale or color. Opting for the color mode is generally a good idea even if the printed photo is in black and white or monochrome toning. Anyway, you can easily convert it back into its original tone later on using a photo editor. You can have an idea on what the finished product will look like using the preview function.

As soon as you are aware on how each setting contributes to the outcome's appearance, starting the project may be done. Ensure that the printed photos are wiped off with a soft brush or dry cloth. Don't waste time trying to get rid of stubborn stains as the problem may only worsen. Besides, it can be easily dealt with through a good photo editor's help. The equipment's platen should also be free of dust to prevent them from showing up on the digital files.

Choosing between TIFF and JPEG file formats have to be done too. Going for JPEG lets you come up with smaller file sizes for easy posting on the internet and sending through e-mails. The entire project may be a time-consuming one. It's for this reason why an excellent tip on how to scan photos is to place different ones on the platen. Afterwards, you just need to cut up the entire file separately and save each one using a different name.




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