We just had our basement flooded and many of my grandmother's photographs were damaged and soaked. These photos from the First World War on through the '80s document the history of the entire American side of my family. I want to preserve as many of these photos as I possibly can. Many of those in scrapbook have been damaged when separating the pages to dry them.
My brother is going to scan and make digital copies also. Is there a safe or appropriate way to do this to limit damage? What should be done with the originals?
2007-06-08 07:10:44 · 4 answers · asked by Meg M 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
The best bet is to get them all scanned and then re-printed. If you can dry them completely, you might salvage some of the originals, but you take the risk of fostering mold. The images are more important than the original paper, so go for the digitalization. If they are stuck together, believe it or not, wetting them will help to get them apart. Do it very carefully, and then lay them flat , picture side up, to dry completely. Then scan or photograph the pictures and re-print them.
2007-06-08 07:14:00 · answer #1 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In this case, I'd recommend getting them professionally fixed, especially the oldest photos. You would be surprised what a professional can do to fix photos! See some examples:
http://photoproonline.com/digservices.htm
If you don't want to do the professional route, I would definitely recommend scanning as much as you can. I personally can't bring myself to get rid of originals, even when they are very damaged, but that's up to you. Ultimately, I'd get them scanned, fixed as best you can, and then either file or toss the originals.
If you have photos that are trapped underneath "magnetic" scrapbook pages, scan with the clear cover still over the photo - sometimes trying to remove it can cause further damage to the photo.
2007-06-08 10:37:44 · answer #2 · answered by Allyson M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a pair of cotton gloves and gently place the pictures on the scanner or pictures them below even lights. Toughing the pictures motives greater injury than the ordinary act of scanning. that's a great thank you to maintain them. in basic terms take some time.
2016-12-12 15:18:08 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can afford it, take them to a photo shop. They can do it better than you can since they know what they are doing. I hope you are able to save them!
2007-06-08 08:59:27 · answer #4 · answered by Lilli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋