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When we talk about IMAGE in this website, we include both photographs and videos.  In addition, we will talk about two large groups of images:  digital images and physical images that can be digitized.

In today’s digital world, we can take care to organize and store our digital images and videos that we enjoy to ensure they do not float away in the cloud.  

- - - - - Digital Images - - - - -

Location

With today’s ‘smart’ cameras and phones, the images we shoot cam be automatically stored ‘in the cloud’.  In addition, there will be an app that lets you view the images.  

With this app on your computer, it allows you access to your images while the original image is stored in the cloud.  At the same time, you can have your original images from your digital camera or scanned images can be physically stored on your computer.

Organization

By far, understanding how your images are organized will help you when it comes to actually using and sharing your images. The ‘in the cloud’ apps use the date and location to provide some organization.  

  • Store your original images in a folder system. example “Image Archive”
  • Consider using a photo management program on your computer
  • Attaching keywords is useful when you need to find images
  • Create digital breadcrumbs for your images

Digital Clutter

Just like physical images, when digital images are not organized, it is very difficult to locate images you would like to use.  High resolution digital images can be large resulting requiring more digital storage space. 

  • Delete bad images 
  • Look at multiple images of the same thing and delete duplicates

Back-Up

As with any computer files, one computer crash can erase all of your files in an instant.  So, back-up, back-up back-up. 

- - - - - Physical Images - - - - -

Commercial Transfer Services

While there are ways to do-it-yourself, you may prefer to have it done for you.  Check out some of the commercial video transfer services, such as Walmart, Costco and Walgreen. 

Use Your Smart Phone

One way to digitize old photos and documents is to use your smart phone. You will need to be careful to take a clear aligned image, but this is a good way to gather some images.  Check out these tips for scanning old photos to get the best images, including a few apps for your smart phone.

Flatbed Scanner

Flatbed scanners are best for scanning delicate materials such as vintage photographs, papers and other documents which are fragile. Basic options like the Canon CanoScan LiDE220 or the Epson Perfection V39 are a great way to scan photos up to 8×10 in size without breaking the bank.

35mm Slides and Film Negatives

If your budget is a little higher, you may prefer to purchase a flatbed scanner that can scan your old negatives and slides as well as printed photos. The Epson Perfection V550 has these features. The Epson Perfection V600 also includes OCR (optical character recognition), and automatic color correction.