NeuroTalk Support Groups - Book-A-Holics --- Free Books / New Books? Why Buy?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tootsie (Post 236496)

I do scrapbooking .....

I notice that some of my old photos are fading. I guess ink or paper is the varient. When we (old folks) used to have our pictures developed and used film I think we sometimes got some deals that weren't so good after all.

I have many pics that have a yellowish cast. This can also be from storage too. When you think about it many pics have been stored in hot or cold places and in boxes that are not acid or lignin free.

That's one reason I'm copying many of the good old photos. This has been a huge undertaking.

I wonder if it is better or worth it to take my old photos to a reliable photo processing store or if I'm better off doing it myself.

Tootsie

TOOTSIE:

You might want to consider investing in
PAINT SHOP PRO aka PSP Program,
you might be lucky to find an older one
with a serial code number access cheap,
because you really don't need to buy the
latest updated version (I'm still on the PSP
7.02 and Animation 7.04) ... while they don't
have any further updates; you don't need all
the hooplas.

The thing about PSP is - it gives you more
control power than any other programs in
this version (I have other programs, but I
use this one far more than the latest other
versions!). What's so unique is, I can actually
go Sepia, Newspaper, and other special effects
and plus, the Gamma correction - an option that
printers lack, and there's much, much more
features in there. It does take awhile, but once
you toy around with it, you can do really cool
and unusual things with it....

So when you print it out - it's not the INK,
but rather the quality of paper you are using
and the Settings that you have programmed
your printer to print (in the Advanced Settings
Option Menu).

And with the two and two working together
and the quality of paper: whether heavy paper
35 lb or heavier or photo paper (Kodak is
preferred - Matte finish has a longer lifespan
than a glossy and semi-gloss finish).

Always let the image dry for at least 1 hour
before using - and I strongly recommend that
you hold it by the edges, use wax paper, and
put inside of a book bigger than the paper (like
those coffee table books) and put a towel on top
of a book and putting a brick or a heavy object
on it.

WHY?

The purpose is to keep it flat, to let the ink set,
and so on.

After this - because there is no "FIX" that is used
to preserve it - You can buy those canned spray
of clear coat finish - and I recommend matte finish,
since gloss and semi gloss are prone to leave bubbles,
and take it outside, and carefully peel off the wax
paper and flip it over and place under the image and
spray the clear coat over the image and let dry per
instructions. THEN cut after it is dried.

Your image is now preserved. You can spray another
coat again, but I recommend waiting 6 hours before
spraying another coat.

If you are keeping images inside of plastic or rubber
covered type protectors, those are pretty destructive
to the images and shortens the lifespan of any photos.

Yellowing (aging) is a notorious problem as well as
mold and mildew growth (on slides which shows up
as red spiders aka spidering). Cracking & Chipping is
a result of extreme climate conditions. Cool, dry, and
dark place is the best storage recommendation for
prolonged lifespan. The more exposure to light (photos,
negatives, CD's, cassettes, tapes, etc) the shorter the
lifespan. This includes OIL PAINTINGS too. So keeping
them away from lights is the best, for SUN is the worst
enemy of them all! (This applies to books too)

But with this type of action I provided you above
in scrapbooking will help prolong your hobby and
give you more enjoyment that when your children
gets older and wiser, they will one day - enjoy it all,
especially their grandchildren's children. When it
becomes a heirloom.

:)