Whether you want to restore vintage family photographs or create a digital archive of your favorite snapshots,
scanning is the first step in preserving your photos for years to come. Here are some tips and techniques to help
you scan like a pro.
Picture selection
Choose your best photos to scan. You can enhance faded color and sharpen some fuzziness with image-editing software, but it's
best to start with clear, vibrant images whenever possible. The better your photo is, the better your scan will be.
Your HP scanner
has different settings for attributes such as output type, resolution, sharpening, exposure, and color. Although the default
values usually provide optimal results, you can fine-tune the settings in your software. For example, let's say you're scanning
a treasured snapshot that's faded over the years (and was a little blurry to begin with). With your HP scanner, you can sharpen
the scan (from low to extreme), and select to restore faded color ... all with a click of your mouse. Often you can even set up
shortcuts with the scanner buttons. Imagine being able to fix red-eye at the touch of a button. Refer to your user's manual for
details.
If it's time for a new scanner, let us help you choose the right one. With the wide selection of
HP scanners and
HP All-in-ones
available, you're sure to find one that's right for you.
Scanner resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi). More dots translate into a sharper image. A good rule of thumb is to
scan a master copy of your image at 300 dpi. This gives you flexibility if you want to use the same image in different ways.
Perhaps you want to feature your photo in a scrapbook layout and e-mail it. You can make copies of your master and then resize
them. Of course, if you have a specific use in mind, you can scan at a lower resolution.
After you scan an image, you can save it in several different file formats. Choosing the right format depends on how you'll use your image.
JPEG: If you're sure that you'll only view your image onscreen (e-mailing or posting it
online), save it as a JPEG, which compresses the file size to speed download times. This format loses some image quality
during compression, but the loss isn't too noticeable onscreen.
TIFF: If you're printing your image or if you're uncertain how you'll use it in the future,
save it as a TIFF. This format preserves detail and color information, which will give you maximum flexibility. You
can always save a copy of a TIFF file as a JPEG, but you can't create a high-quality TIFF image from a JPEG. You'll
thank yourself later.
Scan your photo in the orientation in which it will be used, either vertically or horizontally. (Some image quality is lost
when you rotate the photo in your image-editing or desktop publishing program.)
HP Photosmart Essential is a free image editing software for
editing photos.
Limit file size and save hard drive space. If you need only a small portion of your image, don't scan the whole thing. Your
scanner software has tools to preview and select only the part you want. Or, you can scan the whole image and then crop to
size in your image-editing software, after you've made any other adjustments.
Many HP scanners come with a built-in adapter that allows you to convert 35 mm slides and negatives into easy-to-store digital
files. Clean them with the softest cotton cloth, then scan up to 16 slides or 30 negative frames at once. Use your scanning
software to remove dust, scratches, and red-eye; restore faded color; and automatically enhance color in dark areas. Then
archive your files to disc or share with family and friends.
Once you've scanned your old photos, slides, and negatives, it's easy to use them in projects or make gifts and keepsakes.
HP's Activity Center
offers a variety of scrapbooking and quilting projects for beginners and seasoned crafters alike. And you'll find customizable
projects such as cards, picture frames, calendars, and more that allow you to get creative with your scanned images.
Take a free online class
in digital photography! Explore the many features of your digital camera, find tips for cropping and editing your
images, and discover new ideas for sharing your photos in creative ways.
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