Copying Photos With A Color Flatbed Scanner
Posted in Color Flatbed Scanner
The term digitize has jumped quickly into the vernacular of many computer users. The classic dictionary definition for this term is to convert data from analog to digital form for use in a computer. Many Baby Boomers have discovered the joy of converting the analog data of old photos, slides, and family documents to digital form for better storage than what old closets offer. One of the best ways to copy these components of family memories is with a color flatbed scanner.
The purchase of a scanner is rather straightforward. There is a plentiful supply of them at most office supply stores and big box retail stores. The best place to shop for them, at least the research end of it is to search on the Internet and read the reviews and specifications that are recorded by several sources.
Once you make your purchase you will find that it is rather simple to install the unit. It is easy to connect the color flatbed scanner to your computer through the USB 2.O port. Most newer computers have a ‘plug and play’ convenience built-in to the operating system, but if not there generally is a software CD that is included with the purchase of the scanner.
The simplest way to copy photos with the flatbed scanner is to start by placing a photograph on the glass platen with the picture at the corner of the glass facing down. Next just push the scan button to start the process.
Most of the newest types of color flatbed scanner have built-in software to determine automatically if the object being scanned is color or black and white. You may have to program each scan to achieve the desired result for your particular scan, but that is easily done.
To digitize slides or negatives on some scanners there may be an optional peripheral that must be used to get the best copies. It is known as a back-lighter device or simply “backlighter” in the industry. It basically is a frame for allowing the slide, photo, or negative to be held in just the right position to be backlit by the scanner as it is being digitized.
Once the object has been scanned successfully into the computer, save it to a pre-determined file. It may be to your advantage to have a program on your computer that will aid you in editing your digitized pictures. There are many good programs that run from basic enhancements to professionally advanced systems to achieve outstanding results.
If you desire to share your digitized photos or slides, it is a simple matter to “burn” a CD with the files you have stored on your computer. Another simpler way of sharing is through compressing the digitized files and sending them to your friends or family through e-mail messages.
It is amazing how much better that old sepia-colored photograph from the early twentieth century looks on the computer monitor after going through the color flatbed scanner. It takes a lot of effort and care to copy all those albums, but once the job is done you will be glad you have your family treasures in digital form.