My hubby got tired of my complaints about our sad, pitiful scanner so, for Christmas, he surprised me with a sweet, state-of-the-art machine that can even scan 35mm film. (Early in our relationship I assured him that I prefer practical gifts over jewellry or other typical "girlie" presents. So this scanner, along with the rice cooker he gave me some years ago, reflects just how well hubby knows me. And, incidentally, how much he loves rice!)
I've been giddy with excitement scanning photos since the holidays. I've only made a wee dent in my mountain of images, film negatives and certificates. But the librarian in me has already catalogued where everything in my collection will eventually "live", as well as which family members will be getting a cd of which pictures.
Some people prefer to archive their old photos in photo albums or scrapbooks, favouring the authenticity of the actual texture and look of an aging print. If you are one of those people I ask you: what is the point of squirelling these precious photos away? True, you want to keep them away from sunlight and sticky fingers. But don't you want to reflect and remember the subjects?
Any archivist will tell you that preserving the content is of utmost importance, not the medium. And, just in case something happens to the original, wouldn't you feel better knowing that there was a digital image - or better yet, two - to keep the memories and stories alive?
Another advantage of scanning old photos is that there are hundreds of lovely and creative ways to display them. You can create memory books, calendars, holiday ornaments, even quilts or cross-stitch patterns.
Consider scanning your old photos. It's a wise investment.