Patty, Thanks for sending me the address for your husband's website. I found it very useful; I'll watch for his next lesson. Tell me more about Qimage. I've had others recomment QImage for printing ... does it really make a noticeable difference in printing? Paint Shop Pro 7 allows printing multi-prints per page so I don't need another program for that. Does QImage make a difference in the quality or sharpness of the print? Kay ===================================================== ----- Original Message ----- From: Patty Hankins To: Keating Kay Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 10:49 AM Subject: Re: [VINTAGE-PHOTOS] Saving old photos ..... Kay - My husband Bill has a website talking about he scans/restores the images from some of our old photos. It's called the Virtual Vintage Image - and it's at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wflawrence/index.htm I think it may help answer some of your questions. (1) I'd like to know what is considered the best format in which to save these files for long term storage; I'm presently using *.tif for archive purposes and *.jpg for using the photo in genealogy programs. I've read many like the *.bmp format better, and I've read that there is another newer format. We also archive in .tif - and use compressed jpg files for the website. (3) How do you enlarge a small photo? I'm presently scanning at 1400+ dpi and then enlarging the size of the original photo. Is there a better way? Bill is currently working on the next section of his website - looking at scanning at different dpi's. We usually scan between 300-600dpi - and then use QueImage for printing. It has some really good pixel interpolation algorhythms for enlarging/printing. (4) What do you do with your original photos after scanning them into archive files? The books my photos are in have that old black paper that is now breaking up. Many of the photos were 'glued' into the book, so there is a photo on both sides of the black paper. I put them in acid free folders/sheets - depending on the state of the pages. We've got several albums from about 1915-1925 - that sound similar - black paper - and lots of glue. Don't try to take the photos off the paper - there's too much chance of damaging the photos. I get my archival supplies from Light Impressions -they're at http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/servlet/OnlineShopping (5) When a scanner is not available, I've copied old photos in other family member's album with my camera with mixed results. Any thoughts on this method of obtaining photos from other people? We use a photo copy stand for stuff we can't scan. If I'm away from home - I'll put the photo flat - side lit - and take multiple shots with a digital camera on a tripod. Basically trying to recreate the photo stand conditions. The digital camera allows for instant feedback. (6) Finally, What storage media is considered best? CD disk, Zip drive, etc.? We make multiple copies on CDs - so if one gets ruined - we've still got others as backups. I need to get one set of backups offsite - that way if the house burns down - we'll still have the images. We also plan on having to copy to newer technology in the future - to make sure that all copies aren't on a storage media that is outdated. Hope this helps Patty (also in Maryland) Many thanks. Kay in Maryland --- Kay Keating's outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.303 / Virus Database: 164 - Release Date: 11/24/2001