Frequently Asked Questions

My original photos are important to me. Why should they be digitized?

Everyone would like to keep photos forever, especially old ones. These are family treasures. Unfortunately, over time all photos will deteriorate. My philosophy is that the image that is captured in the photo is what's important - not the paper that it's printed on. I want to provide you with an inexpensive way to preserve those precious images for generations to come.

Can't I reprint from negatives if I need to?

According to the IPI Storage Guide for Acetate Film (Image Permanence Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology) at 70°F and 40% humidity, fresh film will remain in good condition for only 50 years. Most people store their film in attics or basements where temperature and humidity can fluctuate considerably. This serves to shorten the life of the film. In the long run, you simply cannot rely on negatives for long-term image preservation.

But CD-ROMs don't last forever either, so what's the big difference?

Once the image has been digitized, exact duplicates can be made many times over. Long before the CD-ROM degrades, the images can be copied onto fresh media. And unlike photographic copying, the digital copy remains true to the original.

BrightBits uses Kodak Gold Ultima* CD-ROMs, which have an expected lifespan of at least 100 years under normal storage conditions (under 25° C, under 50% humidity). (*NOTE: these are no longer available. A suitable replacement is being researched for when my stock runs out.)

What's the best way to display photos?

The best way to preserve your photos and prints is in an album. The album pages should be acid- and lignin-free, and any adhesives used should be acid free as well. A polypropylene sleeve adds an extra measure of protection. Whatever you do, do NOT use those horrible "magnetic" albums with the peel-back covers. Albums should not be stored where temperature and humidity can become excessive.

Photos in frames should always be under glass, to protect them from UV radiation. A mat should be used so that the photo does not touch the glass. They should not be hung where they will get direct sunlight, or be subject to high humidity. And of course, acid- and lignin-free mats and backing paper should be used.

Why is matte paper recommended for prints?

Matte-finished paper (not glossy) provides better binding of the ink to the paper, resulting in longer lasting prints. Using Epson archival matte paper with Epson inks, the print could last 200 years if taken care of (according to manufacturer's claims). Epson premium lustre paper, and premium semi-gloss paper, have shorter lifespans - about 140 years. I also offer Watercolor Paper, which has a beautiful textured matte surface suitable for fine portraits. I do not use glossy photo paper as the lifetime is very short (20 years).

Can I add more photos to my CD-ROM album?

If you want to minimize the number of CDs you have lying around, you can bring back a disc and have additional images added to it. If you have software to write to CDs, you should be able to add your own files to the CD-ROM, such as an index file describing the contents of your CD-ROM album.

Do you develop film?

No.

Do you do restoration?

When scanning old photos or negatives, I will do a 3-step restoration, as follows:

Straighten the image if required.
Adjust colour balance, contrast and brightness.
Unsharp Masking to sharpen the image.

In most cases, this will work wonders, and is included in the Premium printing service.

However, some photos will require more extensive restoration due to scratches, creases, tears, water damage, etc. This kind of work is time-consuming, so I charge based on how long it takes. This type of restoration is covered under my Heritage service, which include a report on the kind of damage found, the type of restoration done, and some notes on photo preservation.

What else can I have scanned?

Just about anything really: certificates, documents, artwork, even three dimensional objects such as coins or medals can be scanned. However, I am limited to scanning objects up to 8.5x11".

If you want me to scan those six rolls of film you took on your vacation last year - well I can do it of course. Check the price list for bulk scanning rates.