How to Scan Photos
Turn on the computer and printer to make sure they are connected., Navigate to the scanning program's location., Run the scanning program., Place the image for scanning., Choose your scanning preferences., Choose to preview., Click "Finish" or...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Turn on the computer and printer to make sure they are connected.
If the system is not working:
Check the power sources including the wall and power surge connectors.
Troubleshoot for loose cable connections.
Confirm the USB cable is connected to the correct port.
Make sure you have the right type of cable.
Review the owner's manual instructions on installing the printer or scanner.
Send a help desk ticket or access the online help feature. -
Step 2: Navigate to the scanning program's location.
In Windows, click on the start button to bring up active programs.
If you're using a Mac, click on the scanner icon.
If the program is not installed or you cannot find the installation disks, you can use basic built in utilities or download reputable ones from websites like CNET.
For Windows computers, the basic built in utility is called Windows Fax and Scan and can be found by using the search bar in the start menu. , Find the scanner program.
Activate and open the scanning program by double clicking on the program's name or by hitting the scan button on your printer or scanner.
Click the next button to continue to next step.
You should be prompted to place the image for scanning. , Place documents face down on the printer or scanner surface.
Align photo within the arrows or grids on the device.
Close the lid if there is one.
Press scan on the scanner or use the scanning program on your computer , You'll have the choice of scanning in color, black and white, gray or custom.
You can also choose the digital format in which you want to save your picture (jpg, jpeg or tiff). , Clicking preview –allows you to review your selection before continuing and make necessary changes to the settings.
Use the preview to decide on the type of format, orientation and resolution before continuing. "Orientation" allows the user to select portrait or landscape and "Resolution" determines the sharpness of the image.
A higher resolution will make the details of the picture more noticeable.
To make a sharper image, increase the resolution.
Note:
This will also increase the size of the image, and dramatically increase the size of the file.
You may not be able to send it as an email attachment without making it smaller.
Above 300 dpi is unnecessary. , Once you have chose the settings you want in the preview, click finish or scan to continue and complete the process.
Which word is used will depend on your program and another one altogether may even be used. , Follow the Scan Wizard or other built in program if you still have trouble.
The Wizard will show you step-by-step on how to copy pictures from a scanner to the computer or web site. , Some programs will automatically save your images to a cache within the program itself but for most programs you will need to save the images somewhere on your computer or upload them directly to the internet.
Look for the save button or use the save prompt when it comes up.
Save the pictures somewhere where you won't lose them.
You don't have have to worry about renaming every photo.
If you have a large number of photos that can take a long time! , If you really want your photos to look amazing when they're scanned in, you'll need to employ some special tricks but the most important part is that you'll really have to spend time working on the project.
Each photo needs to be scanned and edited individually, so don't try to save time by scanning them all at once if you want them to really look good., If you have the option to, scanning the original film using a film scanner will give you a much higher quality image.
Film scanners aren't inexpensive, but if you have a lot of pictures to preserve it might be a good idea. , When you turn the photos in the scanning program's preview window (or even turn them afterwards in a photo editor), you can lose some image quality.
Scan them in the correct orientation to begin with and you'll help preserve the quality of your image. , In the list of options that includes black and white scanning, color scanning, etc., you will sometimes have the option to scan in 24 bit.
This is the best choice for quality scans and you should take it whenever you can., If your scanning program has options for adjusting the levels and saturation before scanning, take that option.
Adjusting these within a photo program later can damage the image and lose a lot of detail.
Levels and saturation settings change the colors, darks, and brights in an image, helping you restore a faded picture. , If you want compact files, save in png or jpg (also called jpeg) format. , Generally, automatic settings will not do as good a job at fixing things as a person can.
You can learn to use a program like Photoshop or you can actually hire professionals to do quick touch-ups on photos that are very important to you. -
Step 3: Run the scanning program.
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Step 4: Place the image for scanning.
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Step 5: Choose your scanning preferences.
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Step 6: Choose to preview.
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Step 7: Click "Finish" or "Scan".
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Step 8: Use the built in program to guide you through the process.
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Step 9: Save your photos.
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Step 10: Put in the time.
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Step 11: Scan the original film when possible.
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Step 12: Do not turn the photos in the scanning program.
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Step 13: Scan in 24 Bit.
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Step 14: Adjust the levels and saturation.
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Step 15: If you are scanning to make large sized reprints
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Step 16: and enormous file size is not a problem
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Step 17: save as a tiff file.
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Step 18: Use Photoshop to restore photos
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Step 19: not an automatic setting.
Detailed Guide
If the system is not working:
Check the power sources including the wall and power surge connectors.
Troubleshoot for loose cable connections.
Confirm the USB cable is connected to the correct port.
Make sure you have the right type of cable.
Review the owner's manual instructions on installing the printer or scanner.
Send a help desk ticket or access the online help feature.
In Windows, click on the start button to bring up active programs.
If you're using a Mac, click on the scanner icon.
If the program is not installed or you cannot find the installation disks, you can use basic built in utilities or download reputable ones from websites like CNET.
For Windows computers, the basic built in utility is called Windows Fax and Scan and can be found by using the search bar in the start menu. , Find the scanner program.
Activate and open the scanning program by double clicking on the program's name or by hitting the scan button on your printer or scanner.
Click the next button to continue to next step.
You should be prompted to place the image for scanning. , Place documents face down on the printer or scanner surface.
Align photo within the arrows or grids on the device.
Close the lid if there is one.
Press scan on the scanner or use the scanning program on your computer , You'll have the choice of scanning in color, black and white, gray or custom.
You can also choose the digital format in which you want to save your picture (jpg, jpeg or tiff). , Clicking preview –allows you to review your selection before continuing and make necessary changes to the settings.
Use the preview to decide on the type of format, orientation and resolution before continuing. "Orientation" allows the user to select portrait or landscape and "Resolution" determines the sharpness of the image.
A higher resolution will make the details of the picture more noticeable.
To make a sharper image, increase the resolution.
Note:
This will also increase the size of the image, and dramatically increase the size of the file.
You may not be able to send it as an email attachment without making it smaller.
Above 300 dpi is unnecessary. , Once you have chose the settings you want in the preview, click finish or scan to continue and complete the process.
Which word is used will depend on your program and another one altogether may even be used. , Follow the Scan Wizard or other built in program if you still have trouble.
The Wizard will show you step-by-step on how to copy pictures from a scanner to the computer or web site. , Some programs will automatically save your images to a cache within the program itself but for most programs you will need to save the images somewhere on your computer or upload them directly to the internet.
Look for the save button or use the save prompt when it comes up.
Save the pictures somewhere where you won't lose them.
You don't have have to worry about renaming every photo.
If you have a large number of photos that can take a long time! , If you really want your photos to look amazing when they're scanned in, you'll need to employ some special tricks but the most important part is that you'll really have to spend time working on the project.
Each photo needs to be scanned and edited individually, so don't try to save time by scanning them all at once if you want them to really look good., If you have the option to, scanning the original film using a film scanner will give you a much higher quality image.
Film scanners aren't inexpensive, but if you have a lot of pictures to preserve it might be a good idea. , When you turn the photos in the scanning program's preview window (or even turn them afterwards in a photo editor), you can lose some image quality.
Scan them in the correct orientation to begin with and you'll help preserve the quality of your image. , In the list of options that includes black and white scanning, color scanning, etc., you will sometimes have the option to scan in 24 bit.
This is the best choice for quality scans and you should take it whenever you can., If your scanning program has options for adjusting the levels and saturation before scanning, take that option.
Adjusting these within a photo program later can damage the image and lose a lot of detail.
Levels and saturation settings change the colors, darks, and brights in an image, helping you restore a faded picture. , If you want compact files, save in png or jpg (also called jpeg) format. , Generally, automatic settings will not do as good a job at fixing things as a person can.
You can learn to use a program like Photoshop or you can actually hire professionals to do quick touch-ups on photos that are very important to you.
About the Author
Evelyn Myers
A passionate writer with expertise in pet care topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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