If you want to preserve your old photos by converting them into digital format and keeping them on your PC or some other device; you should look for an agency that offers high-quality photo scanning services. However, due to the differences in turnaround times, scanning processes and levels of color correction, you should dedicate some of your time in order to check the offerings of various service providers.
Why should you opt for photo scanning?
Scanning photos one by one, on your own, will take you way too much time. Also, you will have to invest in a high-quality photo and negative scanner, as well as a decent photo editing software, all of which come with a hefty price tag.
On the other hand, by hiring a photo scanning agency, you will have to do none of that. The only thing you will have to do is pack your slides, photos, and negatives and carry them or ship them off to an agency. The majority of agencies accept slides in sleeves and photo albums, as well as carousels. However, before your pick a service provider, you should check some important aspects, such as the image cleaning, the scanning cost, the type of color correction and the formats of slides and negatives.
Color correction, cleaning and blemish removal
One of the basic services scanning agencies offer involves the cleaning of your negatives, slides, and photos, so as to remove fingerprints and dust. However, there are notable differences when it comes to the image enhancements, Some agencies offer scanning, rotation, color correction, cropping and red-eye removal by utilizing batch correction. Others will scan your photos and remove imperfections by using advanced computer software, which will give your photos notable enhancements.
How long will the process take?
Scanning around 500 slides and photos on your own would probably take you more than 40 hours. If you are a busy person, it would take you months to finish the entire process.
Varying turnaround time
When using professional photo scanning services, it will, of course, take much less time. However, keep in mind that the turnaround time varies from agency to agency. Some will need a full month since they tend to ship the images to other countries with door-to-door tracking. Other agencies do not send their photos to other countries, and they usually need a few weeks to finish the entire process. Keep in mind that reputable photo scanning providers are known to have excellent tracking procedures and that they almost never lose their orders.
In the end, if you want to get quality digitized images, keep in mind that you will have to be patient, especially if you have hundreds of photos that you want scanned, enhanced and safely delivered. However, if you have a smaller batch of photos, it will not take more than a few of days.
What can you expect from a scanning service?
Some agencies will allow you to review your new, digitized images online, where you will be able to categorize, sort and delete images before you burn them to a disc. Others will simply give you a DVD which contains your images. Additionally, you can also find the agencies that provide their clients with online galleries that contain image archives, which can then be shared with friends and family members.
