Older photographs help

[lvolkjr]

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Over the holiday I got asked to take some older pictures, with no negatives, and make digital back ups.

My question to you is how do I get the best possible results without damaging the photos?

Thanks for your help!

[RogerAylstock]

Good quality scanner.

[lvolkjr]

Originally Posted by RogerAylstock

Good quality scanner.

Where would the best be available? Kinkos? Some other known (insert name here) company?

[Killjoy]

I have seen a "copy table".
Not really sure what they are called.
There is a post on the side of a table, much like an enlarger.
On that post, is a mount with a 1/4-20 screw to mount your camera.
There are also a couple of lamps in order to light the image from the sides, without putting a glare on it.
You put the image flat on the table, and use your camera mounted to the post, to take a digital image of it.

That is of course, if you can't find a good enough scanner.

How many photos did you get saddled with?

[lvolkjr]

Originally Posted by Killjoy

How many photos did you get saddled with?

I didn't count, but I believe it was 8. There still in the frames at my mother-in-laws house. I want to get my ducks in a row before I take them. By that time she may have more she wants done.

[Killjoy]

Grab 'em quick. Before she adds more.

You can come over and try and use my scanner, and see what you get.

[imported_cooltouch]

Originally Posted by Killjoy

I have seen a "copy table".
Not really sure what they are called.

Close. They're called "copy stands." I have a Canon Copy Stand 4 I bought about 25 years ago. Works great for this sort of thing. Very sturdy. B&H sells a cheap one for $30. Not all that sturdy, though.

If you have a tripod with sufficient movements, you can accomplish the same thing by laying the photo on the floor, and pointing the camera straight down at it.

Assuming you'll be using a digital camera for this, this is often the easiest way to digitize an old photograph. No scanner required, and the results are often as good or better than when using a scanner.

And rather than getting all into proper lighting, I find it's usually easier just to take the rig outside and use natural light in open shade.

[lvolkjr]

Originally Posted by cooltouch

If you have a tripod with sufficient movements, you can accomplish the same thing by laying the photo on the floor, and pointing the camera straight down at it.

Assuming you'll be using a digital camera for this, this is often the easiest way to digitize an old photograph. No scanner required, and the results are often as good or better than when using a scanner.

And rather than getting all into proper lighting, I find it's usually easier just to take the rig outside and use natural light in open shade.

Thanks, I'll give that a try. I just bought a Manfrotto 055xprob tripod that should do the job as you described.