Can you scan pictures that were taken at a portrait studio?

Question

I took my baby to a portrait studio...Unfortunatly they dont have the pictures online for me to see but i want them on my desktop...So is it safe to scan the pictures onto my computer.
I ask because I remember reading one day that ultrasound pictures get ruin when you scan them....?

Answer 1

I know people that have done the same.... I think the only problem you would have would be if you were to try and print the photos. But if you asking if a scanner WILL scan them without damage... absolutely. The only thing i can think of that you may have read would be the paper that ultrasounds are printed on may be sensitive?

Answer 2

I can say my wife has scanned in all three of my childrens ultrasounds and she never had a problem. That being said, as the paper used by most ultrasounds is that of a old fax style, and hence very waxy feeling, I could see where scanning at a very high dpi, where the heat of the scanner lamp is on the image for a long time, you might run into problems.

All this being said, can you scan in photos, yes you can, no, it will not damage the photo itself. However as mentioned at length, the photos are copyrighted to the photographer or studio. If you simply want a digital image for your computer, legally you should ask the photographer for a digital image, which normally they will sell you (at the appropriate dpi for computer use). Scanning in of photos and printing them for the purpose of not having to pay the photographer for additional prints is also known as stealing. And yes, you can be prosecuted. Its known as theft of intellectual property.

Answer 3

Ultrasounds don't get ruined by scanning. But what portrait studio does ultrasound portraits? If you had an ultrasound done in the doctor's office, then I would assume it is OK to copy it, but a portrait done at the studio cannot be copied without a release.

Answer 4

Usually portrait studios copyright their photos, so in a legal sense, you can't scan those photos. But I would if I were you, it won't harm the pictures.

Answer 5

You have lots of information from others on the leagl issue not on the fact that often when you scan a picture it brings ut a lot of the grain in the picture. I have tried many setting on this I still get a grainy texture that I don't care for.

Answer 6

Can you? Yes.

Should you? Unless you have made a specific arrangement with the photographer, they own the intellectual property in the image, otherwise known as copyright. They are entitled to earn an income from that copyright by selling the image, normally to you. If you do copy the image yourself, you are preventing them making that income. In effect, you would be stealing from them.

Answer 7

you can scan any picture that you can see and that you can physically put on your scanner bed, dont let anyone tell you any different.