Making copies of photos
By bostonphil
@bostonphil (4459)
United States
September 1, 2011 11:59am CST
What is the best way to copy old photos? I visited an old friend. She had a lot of pictures of us, my family, and friends from the 1940's, 50's, and 60's. She scanned many for me. They are large sheets consisting of several photos.
I am home and do not have a scanner. I want to copy the photos to send to other people.
I went to Walgreens and was told that it would cost me about $100 to make three copies of each of my sheets. I can not do it and would not do it if I could.
I am cutting up the sheets so as to have individual photos. That will probably cut back on cost.
Can any mylotters suggest to me how to make copies of old photos at a somewhat reasonable price?
2 people like this
7 responses
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
1 Sep 11
If You are unable to get a scanner or afford the copying service,another alternative that would be cheaper and simpler would be just to take a photo of the image using a digital camera..position the photo that it's laying flat,with no reflections visible and keep the camera as steady as possible,zooming in if required to maximise the image..that way,you can at least email the images from your computer..
2 people like this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
1 Sep 11
I have done that for some of the pictures. They come out so-so. I do not have a steady hand and I am not a great photographer. I am going to try to take better pictures when I have time. Thanks for the photo tips.
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
1 Sep 11
I took the pictures in the kitchen which has the best light but a fluorescent light. I may try taking them outdoors next.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
1 Sep 11
Fluorescent light isn't great for photography,though some cameras do have settings for tube lighting to compensate..it tends to give a greenish colour sometimes..natural light may be better.I like digital photos as you can see the results immediately and can delete the dud ones!
good luck with the project..
2 people like this
@syoti20 (5293)
• Philippines
2 Sep 11
Old photos is really hard to copy. Their are 2 ways for you to recopy your old photos. (1)By scanning them (2) Photocopy them in a colored machine. All price is reasonable. Its a matter of how good it will came out later once they provide you the finish product.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
2 Sep 11
Today, I went to a copy / printing business and had a consultation. Yes, you can photocopy in a machine that does color. That was one option. Each page is 59 cents and you can copy as many as three or four photos on each page. But is is self service and will take some time.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
1 Sep 11
Hello boston and welcome to myLot. Some years ago I had the chance to take photos of some of my early ancestors and used a regular camera. They were brown rather than black and white. I have also take photos to UPS offices and gotten reasonably good copies on photo paper. And they cost a lot less than $100. If I remember right it was less than $2.00 a sheet. I put several pictures on a sheet.
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
2 Sep 11
I have been checking with different places. I have not had photos developed or copied for many years. Things have changed. Now, it is all self-service and done differently. I am learning of different options. I will have to do it myself and while it will cost me some money, it will be a lot less than $100.00. But it will take some time. I can not drop it off.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157486)
• United States
1 Sep 11
I used to use the self service kiosk at Wal Mart. If you do not know how, someone will help you. I would compare prices before cutting them apart. 4x6 used to be 29 cents, but I am sure they have gone up. I would copy them to 4x6 even if it was too large and trim it down, but there may be some other options.
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
2 Sep 11
I am learning of all my options. I have not developed film or had photos copies in MANY years. I thought that I could just drop them off and come back a day or two later and pick them up for $20 or $30. Not so simple. It is all self service now and many places offer the services at somewhat reasonable prices but I will have to do the work.
Thanks for your suggestions.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
2 Sep 11
I have tried this with some limitted success. I am going to try to take better pictures when I have more time. And I will keep trying.
@johnbrainlot (177)
• Greece
2 Sep 11
a cheap scanner and a printer with low cost of ink can surely do the job for you. i use this method to make my copies and keep photos for much longer as digital copies never wear off or get damaged.
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
3 Sep 11
I am not a tech savvy person.. A scanner and printer would just complicate my life further. Plus, I am on a budget.
But thank you for the info. I do appreciate it.
@ankitbhat (269)
• India
1 Sep 11
even i think scanning the old pictures is the best way to copy the old pics and digitalize them
1 person likes this
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
2 Sep 11
I have been consulting with different businesses. I have some ideas. I do not have the time to do the work right now but I will eventually. I am going to figure this one out. Thanks for responding.
