Originally Published June 29,
2004 -- Your Wellness Guide
PRODUCT REVIEW:
Organizing and Archiving Your Digital
Memories
——————————————————————
|
Taking
care of and displaying your memories is an important, balancing
element of your life. If you’re like me, you’ve probably
switched your family photo taking over to a digital camera.
However, how to manage, archive, and display all those photos (and
with digital photos, it seems like we have hundreds more!) can be a
challenging, time-taking, and costly task.
“(Digital photos are) different. To me, there is less of a
physical connection to the photos,” says Simple Scrapbooks (www.simplescrapbooksmag.com)
magazine Editor in Chief Stacy Julian, who says that the solution
for managing digital photos starts with scheduling time to sit down
at the computer. |
Julian says
that 10 years ago, about 10 percent of her readers had a digital camera.
Now, it’s 90 percent, and she comments that most of those with digital
cameras are saying that they don’t know what to do with their pictures.
“Get them
printed out,” Julian encourages. “Make it a habit.” She
also says to be selective -- first with not taking so many pictures and
second with only printing out the key photos that will bring back a
memory.
“Imagine
your 18 year old comes in to your house with his friends and wants to show
them some pictures. He turns to the 25 photo albums (of his short
life). How can you do that?” notes Julian. Many of us are well
on our way to this photo excess -- it’s too much.
Here’s some
tips and products to help you manage your digital memories better:
1.
Take Less Photos
Most of us have a review screen on our digital cameras. Review as
you go, delete bad pictures, and aim to take less pictures. Instead,
look for pictures that capture the moment, the memory, and what you want
to remember about the people. You will end up taking less pictures,
allowing you to put the camera down and soak up the real memory instead.
2.
Retouch With Basic Software or Online Tools
If you are
computer savvy, most digital cameras and dedicated 4x6 photo printers
(which I’ll talk about in a minute) come with photo retouch software
already included that is user friendly, has little-to-no learning curve,
and has many automated features -- like red eye elimination, lighting
correction, and color improvement.
When I
tested the new Epson PictureMate printer, it came with computer photo
retouching software called Epson Film Factory. This software’s
auto-retouch feature was one-button easy and gave remarkable results.
You can also buy separate programs, such as Microsoft’s Picture It!
($49.95, also found in the Microsoft Works Suite 2004 for $99.99) or a
more robust program called Microsoft Digital Image Suite ($129.99, which
adds additional photo organizing features, the ability to turn your photos
into a video, and special effects tools).
Another
option, especially for those who don’t want to mess with software, is to
use photo-enhancement and correction features found online at some photo
printing services like
www.ofoto.com or
www.shutterfly.com. However, your retouching options
could diminish if you choose to use these sites.
Also, take
care not to change the actual size of your original photo, because you run
the risk of reducing the resolution -- a critical component for
maintaining a quality, non-pixilated or non-grainy picture.
3.
Burn and Print Right Away
After you’re
done with your re-touching, burn your photos to a archive-quality CD and
get them printed right away. However, only print the minimum of
pictures necessary. The point is to have a few key pictures that
will trigger a memory, not dozens or hundreds of pictures that attempt to
tell the entire memory for you -- again move away from excess and keep the
CD as your digital backup.
|
I
tested the Epson PictureMate ($199.00), a brand new 4x6-only
printer, that is compact (approx. 7” tall, 12” long, and 6” wide)
and mobile (doesn’t have to be connected to a computer), easy to set
up, and uses six-color pigmented ink. The pictures were
gorgeous -- color rich, glossy, and full of fine detail -- and
immediate! With the photos lasting 100 years in a glass frame
and 200 years in a photo album, at-home digital printing has come a
long way. Expect to pay 29 cents a print (cost of paper
and ink), after purchasing this printer -- a reasonable and
efficient way of getting your albums up to date...today. |
Epson’s new PictureMate printer |
Hewlett-Packard has also come out with a competing 4x6 printer called HP
Photosmart 245 ($199.00). It is equally as compact and mobile, with
per-print costs about the same.
4.
Archive
The archiving part of your memory depends on your taste, interest, and
time. It’s psychologically important to have your pictures on
display and within easy visual reach. For me, if I can get the
photos printed and into a plastic sleeve album with at least the names and
dates written on the back of the photo -- then, I’m satisfied.
For others,
however, you might want to spend the time making a beautiful album.
For the computer-inclined, Hewlett-Packard has created a software program
called HP Creative Scrapbook Assistant ($29.99) that helps you make your
scrapbook pages in the computer, also utilizing your scanner.
Terra
Wellington
is a
national authority on creating a wellness lifestyle.
www.terrawellington.com
© Copyright Terra
Wellington