Scan an old photograph properly
Copy a print well enough to have it printed again.
A scan is a photograph of a photograph. The setting that matters is dpi — dots per inch, meaning how much detail is captured.
At 300 dpi a print can be made again at its own size. Anything small deserves 600.
Key points
- A scan is a copy, and dpi decides how much of the picture it keeps
- 300 dpi prints at the same size; 600 dpi allows enlarging
What to remember
- Detail left out now cannot be put back later.
- Detail comes from the original, once. Scan high the first time.
Try this
Find the settings on your own scanner and look for dpi, Resolution or Quality. Set it to 600 before you scan anything old.
Practice: Scan an old photograph properly. Your first lesson is free, with no account or card; the rest are part of a Lantern plan. Interactive lessons require JavaScript.