Bulk Photo scanning FAQ
For questions not covered here call: 07813 449521
or Email: keithjones.net@icloud.com
Why should I have my old photos, negatives and slides digitised? You know the answer to this, right? We’re living in the digital age and most would agree that digital photography has been a God-send. I’ve been an avid photographer all my adult life - but I don’t miss the old days of ‘analog’ photography one little bit. I was an ‘early adopter’ of digital photography. Even so, by the time I acquired my first digital camera, I had amassed a HUGE collection of analog photos. Over the years the pile grew to include collections from parents and grandparents. It is a privilege to be custodian of such important ‘family heirlooms' but, let’s be honest, it is also a responsibility. Who hasn’t had the thought: “what if there were a fire or a flood – I could lose them all?” The fact is: paper photos have always been at risk from such disasters. But there’s another, more insidious enemy, hiding quietly in the wings. His name? Old Father Time! It’s a sad fact, but ALL analog photographs deteriorate and fade with each passing year.
Thankfully, it is possible to put an end to these problems once and for all, by using a professional scanning service like ours.
Scanning photos presents other benefits...
• Effortlessly share cherished memories with family and friends.
• Craft personalised photo books and mugs etc. to mark occasions.
• Generate digital PDF albums for convenient viewing and sharing.
• Back-up your photos to cloud storage and photo-sharing platforms.
• Simplify the organisation and storage of your photo collection.
What do you scan? We mostly scan/digitise printed photographs - from passport size to A4 (207 x 210mm) Larger images by arrangement. We also scan negatives, slides and paper items such as Certificates, Letters, Artwork and Newspaper cuttings. Video and movie film can also be digitised. (see "Cine and Video" FAQs below)
How much does scanning cost? When we first began to offer a digitising service, more than a decade ago, we charged around £1.20 per photo, which back then was considered a very reasonable rate. But it meant that people who had thousands of photos to digitise were looking at costs in the thousands. Consequently our customers tended to have only rare or important images scanned. Fast-forward to today: thanks to new technology and AI (artificial intelligence) our streamlined system allows us to charge as little as 20p per image! Check our price list — we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Furthermore, as the benefits of digitisation become more widely recognised you’ll find family and friends are willing to share the cost —perhaps even adding batches of their own photos to yours and helping with the 'economies of scale'.
Is there anything you won’t digitise? We’re not prudes, and it’s not our place to tell folks what they can or can’t photograph or film. So if it’s within the law, it’s all right with us.
300 or 600 dpi? As you may know, DPI stands for ‘Dots Per Inch’ - which is used to measure the ‘resolution’ of digital images. Both resolutions we offer are suitable for digitising ‘analog’ photograph collections. Most customers opt for 300dpi —images scanned at this resolution display nicely on various devices and, when printed to ‘same size’, look the same as the original. Scanning at 600dpi will allow images to be printed larger than the original, but bear in mind the cost per scan will be a little higher and file sizes much larger, taking up more space on your storage devices. If you want to see the difference between 300 and 600dpi why not take advantage of our Trial Offer (details at the foot of our pricing page)
How should I prepare my photos? To ensure optimum results - and to qualify for our lowest prices - please remove photos from frames and presentation mounts. (a surcharge will apply if we have to remove photos from frames). Album pages, card mounted images and ripped, torn or badly creased photos will be scanned individually see flat-bed price list.
NOTE: We can only scan photos in a specific order if they are submitted in batches of the same image size - not mixed sizes. (You will be able to reorganise / rename images easily, once they are in digital format). Every image is assigned a unique ID. Bundles or envelopes can be marked with a short title and date (if date unknown your 'best guess' at the decade will suffice - e.g. “1970s”). This info will form part of each photo's ID.
Do you restore damaged or faded photos? Yes, in fact that’s how we got started in this business more than two decades ago. We still provide Digital Photo Restoration for trade and private customers. Remember though, our bulk scanning prices include free basic restoration for photos that we think will benefit from it, so don't be surprised if you receive two images of the same photo —one: the same as the original; the other: featuring improvements in colour and contrast. There's no extra charge for this service and you are free to keep both versions. Spoiler alert: most people prefer the enhanced versions! That said, if there are photos which require more than basic restoration, label them clearly “For restoration” and we’ll submit our no-obligation quotation for restoring them.
Do I have to count my photos? Our equipment automatically counts and numbers each photo so we don’t need the precise quantity. If you want an idea of the final cost, count a small part of your collection and use this to estimate the total. We never ask for payment ‘up-front’ so you won’t receive an invoice until we have completed your order. This way you only ever pay for what you receive.
Extra copies? Prices for additional DVDs or Memory Sticks are lower if ordered at the same time as your main order. Don’t forget, though, if you opt for Digital Download, the images will be on your computer or other device, so you can share as many copies as you wish - all at no extra cost.
How do I get my photos to you? For peace of mind we recommend delivering your photos in person. Alternatively, send your photos via tracked delivery. There are a number of services who will collect from you and deliver to us. (price comparisons available at parcelcompare.com and interparcel.com).
Guidelines for packing (see below under Cine film and Video)
Where do I send/deliver my photos?
keithjones.net
35 Granby Road
Buxton
Derbyshire SK17 7TL
Once we receive your photos we will confirm receipt and give you an approximate date when your order will be completed.
How do I view my digitised photos? Your photos will be in the same format as those from a digital camera or smartphone (.JPEG) so they can be viewed on iPads, computers and smart TVs. If you opt for USB Flash Drive (memory stick) you will need a device with a USB port. If you order DVDs you will need a DVD player or computer with a DVD drive.
Will I be able to edit my files? Yes, with appropriate software you will be able to crop, enlarge and otherwise manipulate your photos.
How long do you keep my digitised images? We retain your digital files for 30 days after receiving confirmation that the originals have been safely returned to you (via tracked delivery). If you have ordered DVDs or USB Flash Drive, we strongly suggest you make duplicates and keep them ‘off site’ - perhaps with a relative or friend. Once the files are on your computer you can easily back them up them to a Cloud service such as iCloud, DropBox or Google Drive.
CINE FILM and VIDEO DIGITISING
VIDEO TAPES. Our pricing for digitising video is on a ‘per tape’ basis so the actual tape length and run-time are not important. Note: blank tapes are not charged for. However, even if the recording is only a minute or two duration, it will still count as ‘one tape’ and be charged accordingly.
What tape formats do you accept? We accept VHS and camcorder video tapes such as VHS-C, Video8, Hi8, Digital 8 and MiniDV.
Do you accept damaged or broken tapes? Yes, damaged or faulty cassettes, snapped, mangled or mould-contaminated tapes can be digitised - but only after the damage or contamination has been rectified. Other companies may tell you that such tapes are irrecoverable. In our experience, however, watchable footage can nearly always be retrieved once the mould or other damage has been addressed. Please note in certain cases we may send tapes for repair to our lab which involves shipping by Courier or Royal Mail and is subject to their Terms of Service, not ours.
MOVIE FILM (Cine) We accept 8mm, Super8, 9.5mm, and 16mm films for digitisation. Our pricing for digitising cine film is on a ‘per foot’ basis and our equipment accurately calculates the length of film. We never ask for payment until we’ve completed your order so you will only ever pay for what you receive. Note: if your film is damaged or requires special attention we may send films to our lab which involves shipping by Courier or Royal Mail and is subject to their Terms of Service, not ours. To help you calculate how much film you have, please see our free guide to Cine Film
Do you convert Cine Film with an audio soundtrack? We convert optical audio but not magnetic audio.
How do you digitise Cine Film? Each frame of your movie will be scanned individually. Not the fastest way to capture film but it is fully digital so there’s no loss in quality and the irritating ‘flicker’, so characteristic of cine film, is eliminated.
How should I organise my films before sending them to you? Where possible, leave your films in their original cases or packaging. This will help protect them in transit. If films are not clearly numbered we will digitise them in no particular order. (They will be easier to organise when you can actually view what’s on each reel!) If you label your films, please keep titles relatively short. You can also provide a printed Excel ot Google worksheet, to which our team can refer.
Can I order extra copies? If you would like extra copies of DVDs or Memory Sticks, please order at the same time as your main order.
Can I edit my films? Your digitised video and cine film will be in MP4 format (by far the most common format on the Web). Edit your files with Windows Movie Maker or Apple’s iMovie. DVDs first need to be ‘Ripped’ to MP4 format. “How To” guides can be found on the Web.
Where do I send my cine film and/or video tapes?
keithjones.net
35 Granby Road
Buxton
Derbyshire SK17 7TL
Once we receive your items we will confirm receipt and give you an approximate date when they will be ready.
GUIDELINES FOR PACKAGING:
What type of box should I ship my films in? Please only use secure, sturdy boxes or cartons to ship your films. Don't be tempted to use thin, floppy cardboard boxes or damaged boxes. Be sure to tape up the box on the top and bottom. Your local post office may have appropriate mailing boxes.
• Use a rigid box with flaps intact
• Remove or obliterate previous shipment labels and addresses.
• Wrap each item individually
• Use adequate cushioning material
• Place a return address label inside the package
• Use strong parcel tape designed for shipping
• Don't use string or brown paper overwrap
• Use a label that has clear delivery and return information. Your chosen delivery service can provide this.
How do I get my films / videos to you? For peace of mind we recommend delivering your films to us in person. Alternatively, send them via tracked delivery. There are a number of services who will collect from you and deliver to us. (parcelcompare.com and interparcel.com offer price comparisons)
How long do you keep my digitised film and video? We retain your digital files for 30 days after receiving confirmation that the originals have been safely returned to you (via tracked delivery). If you have ordered DVDs or USB Flash Drive, we strongly suggest you make duplicate copies and keep them ‘off site’ - perhaps with a relative or friend. Once the files are on your computer you can back them up to a Cloud service such as iCloud, DropBox or Google Drive.
How will I view my digitised videos and cine films? If you choose Digital Download or USB flash drive, your videos and films will be in MP4 format and be viewable on laptops, iPads, computers and smart TVs. If you have ordered DVDs your files will be viewable on DVD players and computers with a DVD drive.
