Specs for Images
Instructions for making and sending us digital copies of photos and printed items.
For scanning:
• Any of these formats is okay: tif, jpg, png, pdf.
• Within the scanner software, crop to the size of the photo.
• Instead of suggesting a resolution, such as dots per inch (dpi), it’s best to shoot for a total file size of around 4 or 5 Mb. This can usually be accomplished with 300 or 600 dpi.
If you don’t have a scanner, or if you have large photos that won’t fit on a scanner bed, then make copies with a camera or smart phone.
For photographing:
• Any of these formats is okay: tif, jpg, png, pdf.
• Try for a file size of around 4 or 5 Mb. Super-large files are not necessary.
Try to remove photos from behind glass. If not possible, then try scanning the entire item (photo with frame) — some scanners do a pretty good job using this method, others don’t. Of course, it depends if the frame will fit on the scanner bed. Otherwise, take a photo through the glass. Try different angles and positions to reduce glare. Indoor or shaded light is always best. Smart phones can usually take good photos. No flash.
Be sure to check the back of photos and post cards to see if anything of importance is written there. If there is, then scan or photograph the back too. Try to scan or photograph them sequentially; that is, one immediately after the other — image, then back side. That way it is clear which back side belongs to which photo.
If there is a professional photographer’s logo on the photo, try to include it.
Describe (name) people in the photos as best you can. Describe left to right; top to bottom. If someone is unknown, state: “unknown”. If you are guessing, put a question mark after the guess. If known, give the year and the place where the photo was taken.
Write descriptions in a text file or write them on paper and scan or photograph the paper. Be sure to include the corresponding file names in the text. If you know how, just put the description into the description field in the metadata of the image file.
Tell us who presently owns the photo.
Send by email if the total amount of all images is 10 Mb or less. Otherwise use WeTransfer. WeTransfer is free, and no need to sign up or join. It is very quick and easy.
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