This week I had one of my infamous light bulb moments when I pulled out a box of my parents photos to sort and organize them into the Becky Higgins binder and photo sleeve pages that I had purchased earlier this summer...specifically for this project. I was really motivated after working on my Week in the Life project and using the 8 1/2" x 11" 3-ring binder and photo sleeves and not having to use alot of adhesives, card-stock and ephemera to complete album pages...oh yeah!
However, once I opened up the box of photos and was reminded of just how many there were AND how many different sizes there were...I was soon to discover that I would need a heck of a lot more of the photo sleeves pages AND in totally different size combinations than what I had on hand. Combine that with the fact that the photos were in sad shape and so many were fading and yellowing...oh boy!
Then I remembered that in the beginning of the year I had also purchased a mini scanner (at Bed, Bath n'Beyond on sale AND with a coupon ;) that could scan slides, negatives and PHOTOS. My original intention for this baby was to convert the tons of slides that my parents had taken when we were kids and living all of the world. So I dug it out and quickly set it up...Pandigital Photo, Slide & Negative Converter
Seriously folks...if I can handle this...then so can you ;} It came with its own SD card, as well as, an USB cable so that you could scan directly to your computer. It is so darn tiny and cute that I opted to simply plug it in and set it up on the box on the arms of his n' hers recliners...
Then you put the SD card (or the USB cable) into the back of the scanner and wait for the blinking green light to go off...it took less than 3 minutes...tops!
Once the light goes off...you simply feed your photos into the photo slot in the front and before you know it...they are coming out the back. It was so fast that I barely had time to feed the photo in and set up my camera for a shot ;}
Easy...peasy! I simply sat in my recliner, feeding my Pandigital while I watched HGTV...
The toughest part was deciding which batch of photos to grab and scan first and whether I wanted to sip on my cup of tea or coffee...ahhh...decisions, decisions...
So I started with my parents 25th Wedding Anniversary and I was so pleased with how well this device works! As you can see in the above photos, the actual photo that I'm scanning is one of the worst of the bunch...very dark and grainy. AND now you can see that the scanned copy is already clearer and brighter...
The best part now though is that I can play with it using whatever photo editing software I like and get the best part of the image that I want! Which would be of my mom and Dad eating their cake and my little brother in the background wearing my Dad's leather cap ;}
Blowing it up TOO large makes it grainy...so I will more than likely be keeping it small when I load it into a photo book for my Mom as a surprise gift (don't worry...she doesn't read my blog because she doesn't have the internet ;)
The other thing that I will be doing as I scan/convert all of these family photos is to create an on-line family, photo-sharing account (probably with Picasa) so that my sisters and brother can go in and grab any of the photos that they wish to have for their own personal use and memory keeping.
What can I tell ya! I'm Lovin' It in the studio this week with my fantastic Pandigital Photo, Slide & Negative Converter!
How about you...what are you all excited about sharing this week in your studio or with your family?
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Fondly, Roberta
That is really neat, I like it. How do you feed the slides in? I can't wait to see how the album goes. I know Nana will like it. Are you trying to finish it before your trip?
Posted by: Cortney Lyon | 08/26/2011 at 10:28 AM
Sold! This was a fun and informative post and I appreciate all the info and seeing your fun photos of your scanning session :-)
Posted by: Bren | 08/26/2011 at 02:31 PM
What an efficient way of photo organizing!
Posted by: christina | 08/26/2011 at 05:56 PM
WOW...I didn't know something like this existed...I want one!!! =) LOL. I have so many photos that it would be nice to get them preserved...I'm going to look into this for Christmas. Thank you so much!!!
And Thanks for sharing at Studio JRU today! I never would have found you if you hadn't!
Anita
AMKreations.blogspot.com
Posted by: Anita | 08/26/2011 at 06:48 PM
Now that is an awesome tool! I had never heard of it before. Too cool! And what a perfect thing to do while being inspired by HGTV! :)
Posted by: Jennifer | 08/26/2011 at 07:35 PM
It just amazes me what technology allows... NO REASON to lose any of those beautiful treasures.
Posted by: robin | 08/28/2011 at 10:56 AM
I have wanted to try Becky Higgins stuff. It seems like such an easier way to scrapbook than the typical way. Ohhh, and that little scanner may have to go on my Christmas list. Love it!
Posted by: Jen | 08/29/2011 at 02:32 PM
Wow! What a great project to do for your mom! And that looks like the perfect tool to restore old photos.
Posted by: Jen | 09/01/2011 at 08:42 AM
I have that same pandigital scanner....LOVE IT!!! I use it to go down memory lane and make collages of me and my 80's hair...LOL
Posted by: Denyse@Crazy Beautiful Life | 09/01/2011 at 06:08 PM