I want to make copies of old photographs...what's the best way?

Question

I am making family albums for my brothers and sisters and I need to make copies of old family photographs dating from about 1920-1950 or so. I'm not concerned about copyrights as they were all taken by family members.

A. Can you please advise as to the best way to copy them? I need to make 8 sets total and the originals are all about wallet sized.
In addition, can you please answer the following:
B. If you scan them yourself, is that harmful to the original?
C. What process is the best in terms of lasting the longest?
D. Approximately does it cost when taken to a photo shop to process?

Thanks in advance!! :)

Answer 1

Try a flatbed scanner, and scan to a high resolution. As a second option, you can photograph them, but watch for reflections from lights. A good copy set up would include two lights, to either side of the original photograph, at 45 degree angles. Then focus in as close as you can, but make sure you have the entire picture withing your frame. Keep it parallel to your camera lens to avoid distortion from taking it at an angle.

The light from a single scan won't hurt them. I'd only worry if they're exposed to light on a regular basis.

For prices to have it done professionally, you'll have to call around. That can vary from one place to another. Make sure they don't send anything out in the mail, though. You don't want to risk having the originals lost or damaged in the mail.

Answer 2

The best way is to take them all to a professional photography and retouch shop. They will convert to a film negative plus any digital medium you wish. You can also ask the photo store to retouch or airbrush any damage (such as white 'crack' or crazing marks on your print) to the original prior to duplicating The process will not harm the original. For a small photo, I think around $10 for a negative. Once you have the negative, it's like printing any other traditional film-based photo thus it depends on the size, volume of prints you want, where you go, etc.

The advantage of the negative is that it's a medium that has enough high value art photography work that it will not go out of fashion (remember the floppy disk?) and there will likely be an infrastructure to deal with film for decades to come. Who knows how digital methods will evolve - better play it safe and go with the 100 year old method. So, get a good quality film negative. Ask them to print your copies from the negative and put a positive onto digital media like flash disks where you can make cd's and print off your printer or desktop tons of copies on photographic paper or plain paper very economically.

Answer 3

Yes. Dogs do learn behaviors from each other. This can work for you, as it makes housebreaking and other good traits easier. the puppy will copy the older dog. However, it can also work against you. The aggression in the older dog can create a situation with the puppy where the puppy also feels the need to be aggressive. With the older aggressive dog, aggressive in what way? To people? To other Dogs? I would work with a trainer in your area to work through the agression. Not ony because of the new puppy, but just for your own and for the dog's safety. Aggression in a dog can lead to many things, including but not limited to injury to a person or another dog, which often leads to law suits, and the potentially the destruction of the dog.