How to Digitize Old Photos: Tips & Tools for Preserving Memories
If you're creating a celebration of life video, especially for an older loved one, chances are you'll have a collection of physical photos from before the digital age. To include these precious memories in a video tribute, you’ll need to digitize them. I’ve done this for many keepsake videos, so I wanted to share some tips to make this process a bit easier for you!
Step 1: Gather Your Photos
First, pull together all the photos you want to use. Reach out to family and friends to see if they have any they’d like to contribute—physical copies are best for quality. Sometimes people snap a quick pic of an old photo with their phone, which doesn’t look great in a video. You might share this guide with them, so they can digitize any photos properly.
Step 2: Digitizing Your Photos
Once you have your collection, it's time to digitize! Here are a few app options, along with some pointers to help you get the best results.
Google PhotoScan (Free) Great for those already using Google Photos, this app is user-friendly, but it does require a bit of patience since you’ll scan each photo individually. PhotoScan prompts you to capture multiple images of each photo and stitches them together for higher quality. You may notice some glare on glossy photos, but using natural light can help minimize that.
Microsoft Lens (Free) Microsoft Lens is another free option and quick to use. However, you still need to scan each photo individually, and while it has basic editing tools, you may see some glare, especially with glossy photos. Try to position your phone carefully to avoid reflections.
Picture Scan App by Photomyne ($5/month) This app was the fastest and easiest to use, though it requires a subscription. You can scan multiple photos at once, and it automatically crops and processes each image. The editing tools let you rotate, crop, add filters, and even colorize black-and-white photos. While the subscription may not be for everyone, it delivers top-notch results with vivid colors and great skin tones.
Scanning Tips:
Use the Best Camera Available: A newer phone will give you the best results. After scanning, use editing tools like Google’s Magic Eraser to enhance and polish up each image.
Pick the Best Photos: Only choose the photos that are truly meaningful to you.
Remove Photos from Albums: Scanning photos through album sleeves or frames can create unwanted reflections, so it’s best to remove them first.
Clean the Photos: Use a soft brush or compressed air to gently remove any dust.
Use a Plain Background: A solid color like white helps the app find the edges of each photo.
Natural Lighting is Best: Bright, indirect sunlight is ideal to avoid glare.
Position Carefully: Hold your phone steady and directly above each photo to avoid blurring or angled shots.
Enjoy your walk down memory lane as you prepare your photos! And if you’re thinking about creating a celebration of life video, we’d love to help make it a beautiful tribute.
Warmly,
Lauren
