How to Convert Photos to JPEG

Converting your photographs to a digital format will allow you to easily edit and share your pictures. Many people use digital cameras where the pictures they capture are automatically taken in digital format. Those photographs taken prior to the digital age--gathering dust in shoe boxes or yellowing in old photo albums--can be converted to the popular JPEG format.

Things You'll Need

• Scanner
• Photo-editing software

Instructions

1. 

   Scan your photograph. Hook up a desktop scanner to your computer and do it yourself. This typically involves plugging a USB cord from the scanner to the computer, plugging the scanner into an electrical supply and downloading the scanning software onto your computer. After the scanner is hooked up properly, lay the photo face down on the scanner's glass to prepare to scan.

2. 

   Push the button with the scan icon on your scanner.

3. 

   Choose to create a JPEG image. When scanning, the scanner will normally ask what type of digital image to create. On this particular scanner, a menu pops up immediately after pressing the scan button, giving you the option of what type of image to create.

4. 

   Press the scan button after making the choices on the digital image you will be creating with your picture. Depending on the scanner design, the process may vary.

5. 

   Pay attention to where the new file is saved. This scanner saves scanned images to a file named "My Scans" located in "My Documents" folder. Your scanner may send your files to another location on your computer.

6. 

   Open the digital image in an editing program to view or edit.

7. 

   Convert a digital file to JPEG using graphic editing software. If you already have a digital image created of your photograph, but it isn't in JPEG format, you can open that file in a program, such as Photoshop. Once the file is open, choose the "Save As" option under "File." When you go to save the file, choose the JPEG file type in the drop down format menu, and press "Save."

Tips & Warnings

• There are also online converters, which convert digital images to JPEG. You can take your photograph to an office supply store that offers scanning services and have them scan the picture to create a JPEG digital file. They can save it on a CD or DVD. Scanners may differ in design. Read the instruction manual that comes with your scanner for appropriate scanning directions.

References

• JPEG Format

Resources

• Online Converter
• Cool Units