Monthly Archives: January 2018

3 Pro Photography Tips from Expert Photographers

Posted on January 31, 2018 by

Pro Photography Tips Mastery is only achieved through active learning. The ability to learn, practice, and keep an open mind is key to becoming a master at any skill—especially, photography.


If you’re looking to enhance your photography skills for the next photo shoot with the family, we’ve got a few more tips for you to learn. Check out these pro photography tips to help you every time you go to take a pic:


Elena Blair – @elenasblair


Who is she? Elena’s lifestyle photographs possess a truly magical feel. She captures the real-life moments of her subjects and reflects the essence of who they are as individuals and who they are together.


Check out these pro photography tips to help you every time you go to take a pic:

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Why decades-past photographs are getting people to mingle at parties

Posted on January 30, 2018 by

party1 300x200 - Why decades-past photographs are getting people to mingle at parties Using nostalgia from years-past photographs to engage everyone at your next party to mix and mingle


The biggest challenge to create a fun way to ease strangers into the conversation is how to get people talking. How to have all guests get the conversation started as they arrive at your home or corporate gathering to engage and relate to each other? This trending social gathering icebreaker tip works by displaying everyone’s nostalgic pictures on your TV as they arrive.


Displaying everyone’s nostalgic pictures on your TV is a trending icebreaker for social gatherings.


How to get guests to mingle at your next dinner party

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party3 300x169 - Why decades-past photographs are getting people to mingle at partiesAt ScanMyPhotos.com, having digitized 500 million family photos, we often hear of creative ways people are using their decades-past rediscovered photo snapshots.


This social engagement tip has been trending at ScanMyPhotos as a fun and innovative way to use pictures to connect people together.


As the dinner party, family reunion or corporate event,’s invitations are sent out, this creative tip will get the party started with everyone talking, laughing and sharing stories.


party2 300x201 - Why decades-past photographs are getting people to mingle at partiesAlong with the traditional invitations, ask guests to revisit their decades-past favorite pictures which share a story, their seminal moments and past adventures. To go back in time, request that the photos not be recent pictures from a smartphone, but digitized pictures from their analog photo albums.

 


The memories spanning decades of past memories. Select categories, such as travel, goofy pictures, holidays, home, childhood adventures, first car, school and more. But warn guests that the pictures will be shared in a public forum, so nothing too personal or revealing.


party4 300x224 - Why decades-past photographs are getting people to mingle at parties


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What Is The Best Way To Clean 35mm Slides and Film Negatives?

Posted on January 28, 2018 by

Before scanning your slides and film negatives, here’s an easy DIY tip to clean it first


While Kodak’s Digital ICE, which is used for slide and negative scanning at ScanMyPhotos.com, does help remove unwanted dust and scratches, it is only designed to remove a moderate amount. If your film and slides are very dirty or dusty, it is in your best interest to clean them prior to sending them in to be scanned. Here are some recommended easy to achieveslide scanner tips:


  • Purchase a soft, anti-static cleaning cloth or microfiber cloth, like those used for cleaning lenses and gently clean each slide and negative.

  • Gently wipe the film negative and slides from one side to the other.

  • Careful. Watch for abrasive material, like sand, which should be gently blown off the negative before wiping with the dust cloth.

  • Canned air is preferred. For 35mm mounted slides, remove the film from its plastic or cardboard casing before wiping to avoid just brushing dust to the edges of the slide.

  • FOR ADVANCED USERS: Find an alcohol-based film cleaner and compressed photographic gas at a photography store or online.

  • The film cleaner should have a neutral pH and not contain any water.

  • Cotton pads can be purchased at any drugstore. Pour the film cleaner on a cotton pad and spread it on the negative. A light touch and a steady hand will help preserve your film and prevent scratching.

  • Use the compressed gas to blow off cotton fibers and dry the film cleaner. The negative should now be free from non-water-based stains.

More Frequently Asked Slide Scanning Questions


More Frequently Asked Film / Negative Scanning Questions


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Why Passion for Conservation Goes Beyond the Environment?

Posted on January 26, 2018 by

pic6 300x199 - Why Passion for Conservation Goes Beyond the Environment?We all read about efforts to protect the environment and the urgency to dedicate ourselves to conservation. There are so many levels of efficiently preserving our resources.  We hear too many stores from people who weren’t prepared, didn’t have a plan or weren’t dedicated to cultural conservation as well.


Think of your library of family photos. How are they being protected? Those dust-gathering photo albums and nostalgic pictures.  Beyond protecting the environment, how are you protecting your pictures? Safeguarding your past?  Archiving your lifetime of fading-away photographs?

ScanMyPhotosCorpHeadquarters 300x225 - Why Passion for Conservation Goes Beyond the Environment?


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5 Black-and-White Photography Tips

Posted on January 24, 2018 by

One of the main reasons people want to shoot photographs in black-and-white is because it lends a timeless quality to the images.


Here, in no particular order, we present some tips for helping your black-and-white photos come out as works of art:


1) Look for subjects with strong shapes and lines, texture and detail. Remember that the composition of your photo will rely on contrast. Sometimes, shadows will define shape and form, so pay attention to areas of both darkness and light. Fine detail, or strong textures (such as clouds, stones or foliage) can help give your black-and-white photos depth and interest.


2) Set your ISO to the lowest setting possible. This is important in order to avoid noise, which becomes more obvious in black-and-white photography, especially in low light situations.


3) When photographing a portrait, keep your backgrounds simple and clean. This will help make sure that your subject is in focus and that details pop.  


4) When photographing a landscape, look for imagery that offers grays along with contrast and lighting.


5) Check your histogram. This is the graphical representation of the tonal values of your image. When you frame an image, check your histogram to make sure there is a full range of tonality available in the viewfinder.


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