Getting someone started in Scanning/Retouching/Photo-archiving?

[Paul F.]

My Mom is sorting through about 80 years of photos (hers, and my grandmothers).

Many, perhaps most, are getting thrown away... But there are a lot that are getting kept.

My mom has asked me "Well... couldn't we scan these?"

I hesitantly said "yes, YOU could learn to do that... I could set you up with a scanner, etc".
I don't know if she'll take me up on it or not... but I think I should do some "shopping" first!

I have three questions;

1) What is a good, easy to use, not too terribly expensive scanner for primarily photographs? My Umax 6400 (I think) is getting a bit long in the tooth to saddle my mom with.

2) What software package would be good for simple retouching? Emphasis on simple! How is iPhoto? I'll be honest, I've really never explored it... Photoshop would be gross overkill I think.. unless someone here knows better? (Well, on this subject, PeterB's frogs or Stephanie's Snakes know better than I...).

3) Are there any fairly tightly focused books on the subject? Like a "Photo-retouching and archiving for dummies" type title? My mom does way better with a paper book rather than a web site...


Appreciate any input!
This MIGHT be the project that finally convinces my mom that her computer is good for more than just email and checking her stocks!

[lafinfil]

How computer literate is she ?

[Paul F.]

On a scale of 1 to 10? About a 3.

She'll learn what she needs to accomplish the goal at hand, but doesn't have the patience to explore and learn things not "relevant" to what she wants to do at the moment.

[lafinfil]

Scanning can be a real PIA and a mixed bag of results depending on basic understanding of automated though process of the scanning software.


I set my sisters up with an Epson and their software is pretty good.

That said - you might consider a semi solution if she has a mini lab
place
that has the Kodak Picture Maker thing

She can scan like a Xerox - make simple density, contrast, and color adjustments
and then have them burned to a CD for pretty cheap money

Built in tech support as the geek on duty will love it. Just a thought

[mattkime]

almost any scanner will do the job but there is no way around the fact that you need to know what you're doing when it comes to making color adjustments.

[wowzer]

It will take FOREVER to do.

I wouldn't trust photos to a sheet feeder.

[Grateful11]

This will help with scanning:

http://www.scantips.com/

He's selling a book but there's lots of tips online.

[blooz]

Like wowser says it will take a while.
iPhoto doesn't have much, how about Elements?

[pRON aHOLIC]

I have stopped using a flatbed scanner for photos al together,

I get a nice even light source that doesn't reflect and shoot it with a digital camera on a tripod.

Very consistent results and MUCH faster than flatbed previewing and scanning.

Some info here.
http://www.ephotozine.com/techniques/vie...?recid=185

[pRON aHOLIC]

These stands with lights takes the complexity out of it.

Mount the camera, turn off the flash, turn on the lights, set exposure and shoot.

If she has a digicam then she can preview and shoot.