How to Digitize Photo Prints

Digitizing photo prints requires a scanner and a little patience.

Photo prints are handy to have when you want to make an album or photo-based poster. However, in many ways, digital images can be considered superior to printed images. One main advantage that digital images have over tangible prints is that digital ones take up much less physical space. All you need to store digital prints is some computer memory space and a scanner.

Instructions

1. Place a photo print face down on your scanner and close the lid.

2. On your computer screen, click "Start." Select "All Programs," then "Windows Photo Gallery."

3. Click "File," and select "Import from Camera or Scanner."

4. Click the icon next to the scanner you want to use. If you only have one scanner, there will only be one icon. Click "Import."

5. Click "Profile" in the "New Scan" dialog box, then click "Photo."

6. Click "Paper size," and select the size of the photo print to be scanned.

7. Click "Color format" and choose the color settings you want to use when scanning the image.

8. Click "File type," and select the file extension you want to add to the image when you scan it. A common file extension for images is ".jpg."

9. Click "Resolution (dpi)" and select the resolution at which you want to save the photo prints. Saving a photo at a 72 dpi is usually adequate, although you may want to save the photo at 150 dpi or 300 dpi for a better quality.

10. Click "Preview" to see how the picture will appear when scanned.

11. Click "Scan."

12. Type an identifying tag name in the "Tag these pictures (optional)" field, then click "Import."

References

• Microsoft: Scan a Picture

Resources

• CNET: Digital Camera Buying Guide