In the past two installments, we discussed things to consider when deciding on a company to digitize your photos and other media. This time we will look at ideas to keep in mind if you choose to do the digitization yourself. The concepts of what can be digitized and the work quality still need to be considered, along with a few other things.
Equipment
If you choose to digitize your media yourself, make sure the equipment you are using meets your needs. For instance, if you are scanning slides, you may need another type of scanner to perform that task. Some digitization may require special training which may be available online. Establishing a process to keep the pictures clear and oriented correctly is important. This includes ensuring the equipment is kept clean, free from dirt or smudges. You may also consider using white, cotton gloves to keep fingerprints from your photos. Making the proper preparations and taking your time will yield the best results.
Process
It would be good to set up a workstation for your digitization if you have the space. You then could lay out the work to be done in an orderly fashion to process each item. Keep in mind that the resolutions for different types of media are different. Here are some recommended resolutions or DPI (Dots Per Inch):
- Photos – 600 dpi
- Slides – 3000 dpi
- Negatives – 3000 dpi
- Large Photos (8×10 or bigger) – 300 dpi
Also, pay attention to the output of each scan. What format are they in? How big are they?
Time
Choosing whether to hire someone or do the digitization yourself really boils down to time vs money. Which do you have and which are you willing to spend? Doing it yourself will take a significant amount of time. You will have to make it a priority and SCHEDULE time to get it done because there really is no such thing as “spare” time. There is only time for what we MAKE time for. Another consideration is how is your time best spent? Someone else can do the digitizing, but only you can tell the stories that go with those memories. Your memories that are not digitized are vulnerable, so make digitizing a priority – whether that is by paying someone to do it for you or doing it yourself!
Final Thoughts
When all of your media digitization is done, now comes the hard part: what do you do now? The next step is to figure out a permanent storage solution that meets your needs. For example: Are the files backed up? Can they be easily shared? Can they be accessed with a variety of devices? Getting your photos and other media digitized is a significant undertaking, but it is an essential step in preserving your family memories. If you have questions, be sure to contact me
.