What if You Don't Know Everyone in Photograph?

It's great to scan a group photo based on the size you want to print it. Again, printing same size as original--scan at 300dpi; twice the size--scan at 600dpi, etc. However, be sure you take into account it just might contain the only image of a relative you don't readily recognize. If the photo is on loan to you, and you have to return it after scanning, think through your options. A good overall scan plus some detailed scans of individuals really won't take long at all, and may well give you images that prove integral to your family's pictorial history later on. This photo ended up providing us with a couple's only photo from that time in their lives. It also yielded the only picture we have of two sisters together.

Tiny Specks Just Might be Treasured Images

Don't overlook those tiny spots in a photo! Scan the entire photo at 300-400dpi to preserve the original image. Then use the scanner's selection tool to make a little box around the tiny spot (plus some of the area around it). Scan at 2400dpi or 3200dpi or more and take a look at what the scan reveals. In this case it's a relative doing some ice fishing, as noted on the back of the photo. Tiny specks may bring you previously unknown treasures!!!

Miniature Photo Restoration

The original of this photo was just about 1.25 inches by 1.5 inches, if that. So small. Yet this little photo prompted so many memories about my grandfather, a giant of a man with huge hands toughened by years of working on his farm and automobiles. If you scan these small photos at 2400-3200dpi or thereabouts (like you would a negative or slide), it gives you plenty of pixels to print a large photo. Sometimes the print will look grainy as you look closely. However, hang the print on a wall and you won't notice the imperfections as much. It certainly was worth the effort to restore this little gem of a photo.