DIY Photo Scanning Part 2:
Saving and Storing Digitized Images
File format
For images, there are only a few
different file formats you
need to be aware of for basic viewing and storage.
Overall, JPEG or JPG (same thing) is
the most common and
compatible file type for digital photos. There are a few drawbacks, the
most
notable being that modifying it in photo editing software, or even
rotating it
with Windows Picture and Fax Viewer, results in a reduction of image
quality. For this
reason, JPEG is referred to as a 'lossy
format.'
However, that doesn't mean you
shouldn't use JPEGs. Instead,
if you do want to edit JPEGs, you
can save them as a TIFF, which doesn't degrade with editing.
In Photoshop, they are
usually converted to
its format (PSD), which also prevents quality loss.
The other solution is to save edited
image files under a different
name, so that the original is unchanged, and you have a copy that
you've improved
or tweaked.
Another common format is GIF, which
is used primarily for
small web graphics, like banners or buttons.
Saving and Storage
One of the most frustrating things
about scanning photos, or
dealing with any digital file, is saving it and not being able to find
it. Many
default to the My Pictures file in My Document (for Windows XP), but
others
will save it in a buried folder, or within the actual scanning program.
To prevent a frantic search for your
digital photos, you
should make sure that you open up this option (usually there is a
button
labeled 'Options' or 'Settings') so you know where the file is going. Once it is open, you can
also choose to give
your file a name, or the scan program will give it an arbitrary name,
usually
including a string of numbers.
Our photo scanning service operates
under this premise: before
your photos are scanned, we create a
specific folder on our servers for your order. We title it with your order number and then each of your
photos receives
your order number in the title as well.
It is a good idea to backup your
scanned photos, digital
photos, movies, as well as other important files.
So What Can I do With My Scanned Photos?
Once your photos are digitized,
whether you choose the DIY
route or use Home Movie Depot's photo scanning service, you can do any
of these
things with them:
Resize
your photos
Get prints
Email to friends or family
Set
as your screen saver
Create a slideshow DVD with Pinnacle
Studio 11
Touch up with photo editing software
Make t-shirts, postcards, etc.
Load onto USB drive for use in a
digital photo frame
If you haven't gotten started, we can help! Get those family pictures scanned to DVD so you can start enjoying them again.
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