How does one get pictures out of a old photo album without destroying the pictures?

Question

The old photo albums that I am referring to are the kind where you put a picture on a sticky cardboard and cover, I believe, with a piece of cellophane or plastic. After a few years the pictures become stuck in the photo album and are almost impossible to remove without ripping the pictures.

Answer 1

Yes, getting the photos off without damage is risky business. I quit trying, after attempting by lifting gently, then by slowly releasing the back with a razor glass scraper. But the paper is too old and brittle, and the glue is too tough. I tore a few. Heat doesn't help either.

If there is nothing on the other side of the album page, you can just cut around the pic and leave the backing on. But that is usually not the case.

Now I take or cut the whole page out of the album, lay it on a flatbed scanner, and scan each pic into my computer. The images sometimes need some touch up with photo editing software, but when they are done I have saved a good copy forever. This can be used to make brand new prints anytime.

I use an Epson 4870 scanner at 1200 ppi, then try to save at close to 8x10 at 300 ppi. If pic is not clear enough for 8x10, I try smaller until it is clear.

Good Luck

Answer 2

I would take it to a photo lab and they can do it for you or tell you the best way to do it. They may have some tips or tricks on saving those precious photos.

You can copy and scan them to get digital photos, but if you want the original intact, I would check with a lab and see what they suggest.