Does anyone have experience scanning photographs?

[huckleberry]

I have a box of old photographs taken before digital cameras became the norm and would love to get them all into iPhoto. 

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[Kyle]

Scan them *using a scanner* -> downscale them -> auto fix them using iPhoto = mission accomplished.
 

[FlameOfCallandor]

you could probably take them to a local photo place and pay them to do it. They will look much nicer that way.

[xnikki118x]

I didn't use a digital camera until I started college in August of 2004--everything I have before that is captured in actual, tangible photographs. I had this lovely 35mm camera that I took everywhere with me and wasn't ready to part with it, hah.

I think scanning photos kind of reduces the quality. It kinda sucks. Or maybe it's just because I'm so used to digital cameras pictures, that my scanned and printed 33mm photos look like crap compared to my 5.2mp printed digital photos.

The only concrete advice I have it to keep your actual photographs after you scan them. Maybe organize them as you go so they're easier to sort through, but don't toss them or you'll regret it.

[BlueTsunami]

If you have a good scanner, you should be able to mess with the Dot pixel resolution (or whatever its called). Basically, it will give you one fricken huge scan if you set it correctly. What sucks is that theres probably a downside to scanning in general when it comes to downscalling the picture.

Make sure the surface is clean and theres no dust on the photo itself. If there is, it'll be a huge blot on the final scan. I would use Photoshop to do any postprocessing (if needed).

I've never used the iPhoto suite so I can't help you there

[huckleberry]

Thanks for the advice.



I am definitely keeping my original copies; I just thought it would be nice to have all my photos nice and accessible in iPhoto.  Somewhere they sell scanners made just for scanning pictures using the negatives, which I wouldn't mind giving a shot at.

[MCD]

Epson scanners are the best, give them a shot.