View allAll Photos Tagged digitization
Everyone has albums and loose family photos occupying space on shelves, in closets/attics where they are disorganized, deteriorating and hard to find. Many were taken before the digital age of cropping, straightening and other enhancements. Many don’t identify the who/what/where associated with the image. They don’t provide you pleasure and aren’t being shared with others. When you are gone, they will be less valuable to your family. Many will be discarded and preserve no family history.
Decrease clutter, increase organization/identification and improve accessibility. Photos can be scanned to a quality that allows disposal of the hard copy. If a hard copy is wanted, print one. The digital version can be better than the original. If you can’t throw hard copy photos away, give them to a family member who doesn’t use the Internet and will likely put them in a similar organizational mess. Photos need to be organized and easy to find on any device (computer, tablet, smart phone, etc.). They need to be secure, as is reasonably possible and stored in the cloud with back-up. Viewing controls should include: just me, family, friends or public. If your needs are similar and you are interested in a solution, please continue reading.
First understand this project requires a large investment of time. But, if like me, you are retired and have time, why not get organized now before it’s too late? And you don’t have to do this all by yourself. Find a way to share the project with your spouse. For example, I do scanning, enhancement and cloud storage. My spouse does the who, what, when and where. If stored in the cloud, share responsibilities with anyone across the room or thousands of miles away. This project also requires tools (i.e., computer, scanner, photo software, cloud photo storage). This isn’t thousands of dollars. Many items you may already have.
Where to start? The good news is you can start anywhere. It won't matter what order you scan and store. When you add the date taken, photos can be arranged in any order (e.g., chronological). Who’s album they came from is no longer relevant. If there are duplicates, they are easy to see and eliminate. This process is useful for more than photos. Scan all kinds of documents and items (obits, marriage licenses, awards, medals, first job offer).
You need a computer that can connect to a scanner and the Internet. You need a scanner, one that can scan the smallest photos at good resolution so the result is great full screen viewing. The scanner should do photos, slides and negatives. Finally, you need software, either on the computer or accessible via internet to enhance images (i.e., reduce noise, crop, straighten, etc.). When posted in the cloud you and family can access them with a few clicks. Cloud storage allows search engines to find any photo when given the who/what/when/where information you provided. Watching people “grow up” is cool. Type in your child’s name and see all in chronological order. This may sound like too much work. But, if you are still on-board, keep reading and I’ll explain how I made it happen for me and my family.
Computer. Mostly a personal preference and you may already have a capable computer. Mine is a 21 inch screen Dell, all-in-one. It supports the best processors and storage systems. It also eliminates desktop bulk. The stand mounted screen has all the guts. Just add the wireless keyboard and mouse. Its footprint takes less table space than a laptop.
Scanner. I chose the Epson V600 Photo scanner. It scans every kind of photo image (hard copy, slides, and negatives) and also does Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Its built in software improves photos by removing dust, noise and improving color. It scans as many photos as will fit on its bed. It segregates each, then stores them under separate files you can place anywhere. I vary the resolution (DPI) so the smallest photos show full screen. The normally hidden details are often amazing.
Cloud Storage. This support is the most difficult decision. Who can you trust? Will they be around “forever”? Can you back-up on your hard drive and other discs? Is viewing great and full screen? My choice is Flickr run by Yahoo. I started with them many years ago and currently have 15,000+ photos stored on Flickr. Their photo management and sharing tools are excellent. In addition to the all-important full screen viewing, they have tools to label, tag and date each photo. When shared, viewers can “like or favorite” them and add additional comments and memories. Their system keeps statistics on numbers of views. Flickr supports restrictions for viewing from private to public. Public photos interface nicely with Google searches. Searching inside Flickr is quick and intuitive. Flickr’s app allows viewing on most devices, including smart phones. There’s not much better when sitting around the campfire and asking the question: Do you remember Harry? Then being able to search and pull every “Harry” photo from your collection within seconds. The app allows further edits and comments from you and your peanut gallery.
Photo editing software. Again, a lot of personal preferences here. While I admire people who can Photoshop poor images into looking good, I don’t have the interest to spend lots of time with each photo. I have thousands. I want low cost or free software that is quick and easy to use. My choice is Adobe’s Photoshop Elements (PSE). For more tools, I’ve adopted plug-ins that work seamlessly within PSE from Topaz. Their software increases the cost, but provides no nonsense tools for reducing photo noise and other enhancements that take only seconds. If you don’t want to go in that direction you can employ free Internet software for the same purpose. I find Ribbet works well with Flickr photos. It does basic editing and can add frames and text. After that, Ribbit saves them back to Flickr either as new photos or replacements. Frames make photos look better and the embedded text ensures it won't ever get lost,
At this point I’ve gotten my photos into the cloud. They are searchable depending on how careful and diligent you’ve been on giving them titles and, when necessary, further descriptive text. This takes time, but the results are marvelous.
Regarding dating of photos. If you are lucky, many have who, what, where and when written on their backs. If not, you need to “best guess”. Guessing is OK and way better than throwing up your hands. Give it a WAG. The good news: when you are done and looking at photos from oldest to newest, you will see guesses that need improvement. When viewed by other family/friends, they can help with comments. Here is a tip. When viewing a group picture, look carefully at the youngest person. If there is a baby and you know about when it was born, you can nail the date within a few months. If the group shot was near a holiday gathering, guess that. If it was near a birthday, pick that. Another pitch for Flickr: it supports none-specific dates (e.g., circa 1900, or sometime in the year 1933, or sometime in the month of September 2012).
Back Up. Flickr has many third party software programs. One is called Bulkr. Based on many selection criteria, you can download photos from Flickr for storage and backup. It supports downloading the text associated with each photo.
If you are interested in digitizing your collection of photos, slides and negatives, it is possible using tools as discussed above to produce a user friendly product that is organized, searchable and will be accessible for future generations. Besides, it takes up no shelf space. I hope I’ve inspired you to get started.
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PS. I may seem to have endorsed many companies’ products. I haven’t received a dime from any. My sole purpose is to provide my choices to help you get started with whatever you determine suites your needs.
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.0
Mamiya RB67 | Kodak TriX 400
Digitized with Epson v550 + Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2 | Lomography
PictionID:54489553 - Catalog:Titan Centaur 17 - Title:Array - Filename:Titan Centaur 17.jpg - ---- Images from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Digitized from a long-lost slide film. The Kodak camera in the photo was in the same box and I have it now. What a great way to remember mom and her photo taking.
Digitizing pre-digital shots. Me at hot water beach circa 2000. #predigitalphotography #hotwaterbeachnz #newzealand #2000 #itsmyarchivetraining
21 Likes on Instagram
I do this work from time to time for seniors who want their valuable photos digitized and restored for postairity.
Another day when I was really struggling to find compositions. Ended up with two exposures on this patch of lichen!
Bolehill Quarry, Derbyshire Peak District
18th November 2017, 9:25am
Linhof Technikardan S45
Schneider Apo-Symmar MC 150mm f/5.6
Fujichrome Velvia 50
3” f/16 2/3
1º front tilt back, 1mm front shift left, 9mm front fall
190mm bellows extension
Home-developed with Jobo CPE-3 and Tetenal 3-bath E6, first dev 7 minutes 10 seconds.
Digitized with 4-frame stitch on lightbox with D800E/85PC-E
Digitized Document from our Collection-----Please tag these photos so information can be recorded.---Note: This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.)--Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Another from the backlog of prints I've been digitizing lately. Steps from the Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse in Bay City MI. My wife was working a project in Bay City many years ago and I drove up for a visit one long weekend. The lighthouse was on the property of where she was working and was usually closed to the public, but she got permission for me to get in and photograph. For this photograph, I managed to set up the tripod and stand in the window well while pointing the camera down the winding stairs. I was careful, but still managed to get the tip of one of the tripod legs in the frame and have to crop it out when making a print.
Wisner 4x5 Technical Field Camera
65mm f/6.8 Ilex Acugon
Kodak Plus-X developed in HC-110 B
Printed on Zone VI Brilliant VC FB paper developed in Dektol.
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
Leica M6 | Leica 35mm f/2.0 SUMMICRON-M Aspherical | Kodak TriX 400
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
Leica M6 | Leica Voigtlander Nokton Vintage Line 50mm f/1.5 Aspherical II VM Multi-Coated | Kodak TriX 400
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
Fujifilm GA645Zi | 800T 400
Digitized with Nikon Zf | NIKKOR Z MC 105/2.8 VR S | Negative Supply 97CRI | 3d Printed 120 holder
Home developed in Cinestill Cs41 1:1 | 3.5min @ 39C | AGO Processor
Negative Lab Pro v3.0.2 | Color Model: Noritsu | Pre-Sat: 3 | Tone Profile: LAB - Standard | WB: Auto-Neutral | LUT: Frontier
Figured I'd shoot the last remaining colours of autumn in the woods in very contrasty black and white. Ilford HP5+ in my Bronica SQ-Ai. Developed in Rodinal 1+25 dilution, which pushed the contrast waaaay too far so dialled it back in Lightroom to make it more pleasing on the eye. Crap focussing too, but the 250mm is really flipping hard to focus and the 40mm is rather wide! Excuses, excuses lol
Bronica SQ-Ai | Zenza Bronica 250mm PS | Ilford HP5+ 400
Digitized with Nikon Z7 / 60mm Micro Nikkor / Negative Supply Pro Riser MK3 | Raleno LED Light Panel | Lomography Digitaliza
Home developed in Rodinal 1:25 | 6m at 20c | Ilford Standard Agitaion
Negative Lab Pro v2.4.2 | Color Model: B+W | Pre-Sat: 3 | Tone Profile: LAB - Standard | WB: None | LUT: None
Red broadband image of chemical plates from DSS-II.
Technical Info:
DSS-II 24 Red 1 degree panels
Downloaded from: archive.eso.org/dss/dss
My drawing for a design of a Digitized Comet 127
United States Camera Corp.
Namiki pen on moleskine paper
This Comet camera is so lovely, yet it seems very rare now, at least on Ebay, so I could only draw my design (for now). As the Comet's top half reminded me of phonograph, table radio, and old styled stereo cabinet, I would easily attach dollhouse furniture legs (4) to it, to balance the doubled shape when attaching the Lumix gf2. The adapter is strong enough to hold the two cameras, especially after the inner spools, etc of the Comet were taken out. The onboard flash is pretty enough to give a contrast and recall the 1950's for this quasi-camera Dansette cabinet. The red tower camera would be the best for that 2-toned look. You can choose to cut a felt tip under each foot or make a tiny little coaster when you place your camera on the living room carpet.
I think the off centre lens will not pose a problem at all, since the GF2 uses only a very small portion of the area of focus, although there might be a little weird vignetting.
In actual usage I feel that with this camera, one would have to cradle hold it, like the smallish Contessa which I've modified (see my set). Although the M42 adapter is kind of fragile, or the hot glue is kind of weak, nevertheless, your fingers will get used to cradling it from below, not unlike holding a very large hamster. And, after shooting, you can proudly sit it on the table at Dim Sum. All the wait staff will be coming over to ask you questions while you hand out business cards.
You can see this lovely little camera, as well as it's red cousin on the page of my friend Ozbox:
www.flickr.com/photos/64947908@N05/8121732663/in/photostr...
PictionID:54495705 - Catalog:Atlas Centaur AC-13 Launch - Title:Atlas Centaur AC-13 Launch - Filename:19670908 AC13 01 Launch.JPG - - ---- Images from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Portrait digitised from a negative taken with Hasselblad 500cm with the Sonar 250mm lens. 120 film 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" or 6x6cm medium format.
Quicker than scanning and more controlled using my Nikon Z9 raw file. Taken in 1986.
Using the . jjcfoto.com/product/fda-k1/
And the jjcfoto.com/product/jjc-mobile-film-digitizing-adapter-set/
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
Leica M6 | Leica 35mm f/2.0 SUMMICRON-M Aspherical | Kodak TriX 400
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
Leica M6 | Leica 35mm f/2.0 SUMMICRON-M Aspherical | Fujifilm Across II 100
Digitized with Negative Supply + Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
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More fun with Photoshop!
PictionID:47055913 - Catalog:14_024264 - Title:Atlas 111D Details: Erection of Space Craft for Agena Date: 07/31/1961 - Filename:14_024264.tif - Images from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection. The processing, cataloging and digitization of these images has been made possible by a generous National Historical Publications and Records grant from the National Archives and Records Administration---Please Tag these images so that the information can be permanently stored with the digital file.---Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
Leica M6 | Leica Voigtlander Nokton Vintage Line 50mm f/1.5 Aspherical II VM Multi-Coated | Kodak TriX 400
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
Leica M6 | 28mm f2.8 Elmerit
Digitized with Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2
28mm f2.8 Leica | Kodak TriX 400
Digitized with Epson V550 + Negative Lab Pro v2.1.2 | Lomography
Rodinal 1-50
In the mid 1900s I lived in a small English village called Hungarton Leicestershire. It was a working village of several farmers (small holdings), farm labourers, an Anglican church and vicarage, a methodist chapel, a blacksmith, a pub, a small village shop and its very own member of the house of Lords - Lord Hungarton. At the age of 4 years through my 7th year I attended this village school along with other children from neighbouring villages. Of course all of this has changed except the Pub (and even there the name had to be changed). Like many of the original village buildings the old schoolhouse is now a private residence. This image was taken in 1988 using a Minolta XD camera with undocumented negative film and digitized using a Canon R5 in 2025.
Image - Copyright 2025 Alan Vernon