Improve your original photo prints through scanning

For high-quality photo scans, it's important to start with a clean scanner.

From the HP Solution Center, choose your scanner. Then select Scan Picture to scan your photo.

It's important to start with clean scanner glass and clean photos. Before you begin, clean the scanner glass with a bit of glass cleaner sprayed onto a lint-free cloth.

Follow these steps to scan photos using an HP Scanjet scanner (such as the HP Scanjet G4050 used here):

Step 1: Place your photo face down on the scanner glass and close the scanner lid.

Step 2: Open the HP Solution Center (found on your computer's desktop or in your programs folder):

Step 3: Select your scanner from the list.

Step 4: Select Scan Picture.

Step 5: Choose a destination for your scanned file, then select Scan.

Click Add New Selection to create duplicates from your original image.

Be sure to set your resolution for optimum image quality.

Once you have scanned in your photos, or, if you already have digital image files, use these features to improve and enhance them.

Edit and enhance your photos:

• Save your original copy
  Select the Add/Delete tab and click Add New Selection to create duplicate images of your scanned photo-just drag the frame over the portion of the photo you'd like to duplicate. When you make changes to your duplicates, your original scan will remain intact.
• Set your resolution
  Maintain image quality when cropping or enlarging your photos by choosing the right resolution. Just select the Resize Output tab. Then, select Resolution. 300 dpi is a good standard for high-quality enlargements. (To learn more about the role of resolution in your photos, check out the How large can I print my photos? article.)
• Crop, scale, and resize
  Under the Resize Output tab, you can crop, scale, enlarge, and resize your photo to a popular photo size or a custom size of your choosing.

Fix and eliminate flaws from your photos:

• Adjust color and brightness
  Select the Adjust Color tab or the Lighten/Darken tab, select Manual, and adjust your photos on the spot.
• Remove dust and scratches
  Select the Correct Picture tab, and check the strong>Remove Dust & Scratches box to eliminate the appearance of photo imperfections.
• Sharpen, Restore Faded Color, and Apply Adaptive Lighting
  Under the Correct Picture tab, you can also sharpen, restore color, or apply adaptive lighting to your image. Adjust the features until you achieve the look you want.

When you are finished making adjustments to your photos, be sure to select Finish to implement your changes and save your improved photo.