Ancestral photograph...
Our ancestors treasured one of a kind photographs, journals and letters. Those were the days of real letters, hand-written with beautiful, fiberous paper and ink. They were tactile, precious and beautiful. They may have bound these heirlooms in strands of ribbons and placed them in a spot of honor. By contrast our contemporary email and text messaging seems sadly lacking. As we strive to “stay in touch constantly” something important has been lost along the way.
If you are lucky enough to possess such treasures it is time to use our modern tools to extend the life of those photos and documents. One of a kind photos can now be photographed or scanned at a fine resolution, printed on an archival paper and replicated for all the relatives to own. The more copies that exist, the more likely it will be that the treasured item will be available for future generations to enjoy.
If the item is small, I would recommend scanning the object. Determine how big you would eventually like to print it. Then set the resolution at approx. 300 dpi. for that size. This will yield a quality that is equal to a continuous-tone photograph.
If you are adept at using a photo manipulation program, like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, you can use the clone stamp and patch tool to correct any flaws, like scratches.
When naming the file, be sure to give it a really descriptive name, not just numbers. Use a persons’ name, or the event, location or date.
Make separate CDs or DVDs for each family. It will save you time later if all the Kerr family images are on one disc, not scattered among a half-dozen discs.
Make duplicate copies and send them to cousins across the country. Spread the wealth.
If a document is too big to place on your scanner, pull out your digital camera. Place the object in a well lit, but not harsh lighting. Shade works well. If it is necessary to photograph an image that is still in its’ frame, avoid reflections. A bowed glass frame is particularly difficult to photograph. Be patient.
It seems that lately we have faced a lot of weather-related disasters, involving floods, tornadoes and fire. One of the things that people mourn the most is the loss of family photos and documents.
Old documents should always be in an environment that is free from extreme temperatures, humidity and chemicals, like the tannic acid contained in wood. Don’t keep those precious images and letters in Grandma’s trunk in the attic.
If there are family members that can still identify the folks in the photo, label the back (in pencil, not ink ) or have an accompanying sheet that explains who the people are, where it was taken, and as much information that can be gathered about it.
Another project might be to travel to the old home places and photograph those houses and barns, before that landscape changes forever.
The time invested in this project could be priceless down the road. Put the originals in a safe deposit box and hang the duplicates.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Please take a look at my website at www.suebloom.com.
