You asked, and we found the answers. We’ve assembled this list of common film photography problems and solutions to help you take better pictures. Enjoy!
BLANK FILM
If a roll is not loaded correctly or does not transport through the camera, it will be blank. A broken shutter can also lead to blank film. Be sure to use correct loading techniques for manual wind cameras.
OLD FADED FILM
Storage conditions play a large part in the life of the exposed film, as well as the original processing. Store film in a waterproof bin, away from excessive sunlight, damp locations, or in a basement.
X-RAY EFFECTS ON FILM
A single airport x-ray won’t cause noticeable damage, but multiple trips can fog your film. When traveling, keep your film in your carry-on bag in a clear, plastic zip-lock bag and ask for hand inspection.
WRONG FLASH SETTING
The wrong setting can lead to part of the photo being lighter than the other part. Your camera will have one shutter speed that is a different color from the others. Use that speed or a slower one to keep the shutter and flash in sync.
LIGHT FOG
If the back of the camera is opened, even for a second, light will fog, or expose, the film. This will be seen as dark areas on the negatives or light areas on slides.
You could say we’re familiar with film processing. In fact, it’s how we got our start back in the pre-digital photography era. Needless to say, we know what we’re doing when it comes to turning your analog shots into stunning images
https://fleetwoodphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2021/10/film.main_.image_.jpg321845Natalie Gunnhttps://fleetwoodphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/09/new_web_logo-1-300x138.pngNatalie Gunn2021-10-21 08:24:102023-10-25 11:57:40What Happened to my film? Troubleshooting Tips.
Take pictures out of albums, frames and boxes so you are working with only loose prints. Choose the photos you want to keep. Remove duplicates and poor-quality shots. Keep only the most meaningful images and toss the rest if you are working to downsize or eliminate clutter. At this point, you could stop and move on to Step #3.
STEP 2: ORGANIZE
If you want to get your photo collection truly organized, then continue sorting. Separate pictures into piles by subject, people, theme or year. Whatever makes most sense to you. Then, label those piles in chronological order. This will pay off when you move on to Step #4 and eventually share copies of your images with family members. Advanced sorting will make specific photos easy to locate on a computer or device later on.
STEP 3: DIGITIZE
Box up your printed memorabilia and bring them to a trusted local photo preservation expert (like us!) for scanning. The keyword here is “local”. We never recommend shipping your most precious possessions across the country! Each print will be professionally digitized and saved as high-resolution JPG files. We can even create labeled folders to keep your sorting efforts intact.
STEP 4: COPY + SHARE
At this stage, you’ll have various options for what to do with your digital image files – including how many copies to share. This is the fun part! Think about who would like a set of the scanned images – even if they may not completely appreciate them today. (IE: children and teens.) Once the images are scanned, duplicate media copies are extremely affordable – so be generous and share freely!
Your story is meant to be shared – and now is the perfect time to do it! Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect those photos of your grandparents, your high school prom and that family vacation to the Grand Canyon.
https://fleetwoodphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2021/04/main.graphic.jpg321845Natalie Gunnhttps://fleetwoodphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/09/new_web_logo-1-300x138.pngNatalie Gunn2021-09-22 13:22:452023-10-25 12:27:004 Quick Tips for protecting your photo legacy!
The right imagery and materials can turn your space into a conversation-starting environment in no time! Here are some tips for selecting the right décor solutions for any environment.
PRO TIP: Mix complementary media like framed prints, canvas, and metal for an eclectic and varied aesthetic!
Canvas = Classic
Printed on artist-grade cotton canvas media
Finished for durability and longevity
Lightweight and ready-to-hang (No need for framing.)
Dozens of size options
Ideal for a traditional home or office setting
Metal Prints = Impact
Your image is sublimated onto sturdy brushed aluminum
Images look vibrant, bold, and sharp
Dozens of size options
Ideal for a contemporary home, a commercial location, or modern office setting
Wood Prints = Natural
Your image is printed directly on a natural wood panel
Photos look sharp, yet soft and natural
Woodgrain shows through the lighter areas of the image
Ideal for a shabby chic or farmhouse styled space
Acrylic Prints = Pizzazz!
Your image is flush-mounted underneath a clear piece of acrylic
Images look bright, dimensional, and sharp
Extremely durable and easy to clean
Ideal in a contemporary home or a commercial space
https://fleetwoodphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2021/09/main.graphic.jpg321845Natalie Gunnhttps://fleetwoodphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/09/new_web_logo-1-300x138.pngNatalie Gunn2021-09-05 09:18:512023-10-25 12:31:14Tips for selecting the perfect Wall Art for any space!
Does this sound familiar? “I have photos on a bunch of old CDs, thumb drives, external hard drives, in albums and then there is my Dropbox, Google Photos, and maybe I’ve backed up to iCloud…help, I am overwhelmed!” Before you can start to organize your photos, you have to get them ALL into one place. During week one we will focus on gathering your photos.
Even if you aren’t ready to physically gather them, making a list is a useful first step, and you’ll be more prepared when the time is right to embark on the organizing.
Locate all your photos, slides + videos.
Let’s start with a list of all the places you are storing your printed photos and slides. Include photo albums, framed photos, photos in drawers or boxes or closets, or even storage units. A written list of locations will serve as a checklist when you gather them.
Make a list of all the places you have digital photos. Include old phones, computers, memory cards, and CDs/DVDs. Add usernames and passwords to photo websites where you’ve uploaded pictures.
Home movies should be part of what you’re saving! Make a list of the types you have (Super 8, VHS tapes, camcorder tapes, etc.) so you can make a plan for converting them to digital.
Ask family members!
Get the family involved in tracking down your photos. Ask relatives where their photos are and make a plan to include them in your photo organizing project.
Estimate.
How many photos do you have: 10,000 or 100,000? Knowing the number helps you plan the scope of the project. A shoebox = 600 – 800 photos; 1 GB = about 560 JPGS; the average photo album = 200 photos.
Be selective. Keep only the best of the best!
Are you finding lots of duplicates as you go through your photos? Toss or delete doubles, blurry shots, and most scenery-only photos. Edit your collection down to a manageable size! You may end up getting rid of 50% or more.
Plan for the digitizing process.
You’ve found your photos, but now what? You need a plan. This week, we’ll explore creating a photo legacy by understanding what’s most important to you. What are your photo goals and what would success look like? Then strategize a plan to digitize and back up your photos.
Even if you’re not ready to do the actual organizing, thinking through these decisions about your photo legacy means you’ll be prepared whenever the time is right to start.
Digitize + Back up
The best backup for your printed photos is to scan them by sending them to a trusted local archiving expert. Don’t risk loss, damage or theft of your precious memories by sending them away to a big box online service.
Next Steps
You’ve found your photos, have a plan, and know the stories. Now it’s time to share. The options for printing photos are endless, from framed prints and photo gifts to photo books. Online galleries make it easy to share digitally. Look for ideas to bring your photos back to life by getting them into your everyday life.
Even without starting to organize your whole collection, it’s easy to bring photos back into your life…choose recent favorites from your phone and get creative!
Plan ahead for holiday giving
Get a head start on your gift planning. Digitized family moments is an excellent gift idea for anyone in your family. Surprise family members with a digitized collection of memorabilia!
https://fleetwoodphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2021/09/Organizing-Tips-PR-Blog-Main-Image.jpg321845Natalie Gunnhttps://fleetwoodphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/09/new_web_logo-1-300x138.pngNatalie Gunn2021-09-01 09:52:412023-10-25 12:38:07Archiving Best Practices
If you love a good project and tackling that cluttered photo closet (or desktop computer) doesn’t scare you – go ahead and dive right in! After all, you have a personal connection to all those memories and you know exactly what you want to keep or toss. Here are a few Pro Tips for those of you who are managing a photo organizing project on your own:
Begin by sorting based on subject, event, or date. Choose a categorizing method that makes the most sense for you. Think ahead to how you and your family will want to access these memories in the future. If you’re working with printed photos – make piles or use small bins. If you’re organizing digital files – create folders and name them based on your preferred sorting method.
Toss or delete multiple or redundant images from the same event. After all, do you really need to keep 26 images from little Chloe’s birthday party? Also, eliminate duplicates or poor quality shots where the lighting or subject matter isn’t up to par. The goal here, is to refine your photo collection to only the “best of the best” images/photos.
Decide what you want to do with the physical photos and memorabilia long term. Do you simply want your photo closet more organized? Do you want to digitize all of your printed photographs? Do you want to make photo books for family members? Knowing your end goal, will help you make decisions on how to complete your project.
Let the local expert do the heavy lifting
Sure, you could scan your family photographs one by one on a home scanner, but do you really want to give up your weekends for the next 6 months?
Trusted local photo experts (like us), have the equipment, training, and professional experience to manage this portion of the project for you. We’ll carefully digitize, color correct and save your printed memories as digital files. Once your memories are in a digital format – you have countless ways to share them with family members and make fun photo creations with them.
PRO TIP: Determine which family members would like a copy of your digital files – not only today but also in the future. It’s easiest and most affordable to order multiple copies of your files at the time of digitizing. Think about your children, your siblings, your parents, etc.
Hiring a Professional
If a project like this just isn’t for you or if you’re managing an extreme amount of memorabilia – then you may want to consider hiring a professional to help sort, name, and organize the items. Our archiving team can help you get started and advise you on the best way to approach your project. We also have relationships with local professional organizers and archivists who can assist as well.
What Happened to my film? Troubleshooting Tips.
/by Natalie Gunn4 Quick Tips for protecting your photo legacy!
/by Natalie GunnSTEP 3: DIGITIZE
Box up your printed memorabilia and bring them to a trusted local photo preservation expert (like us!) for scanning. The keyword here is “local”. We never recommend shipping your most precious possessions across the country! Each print will be professionally digitized and saved as high-resolution JPG files. We can even create labeled folders to keep your sorting efforts intact.
Tips for selecting the perfect Wall Art for any space!
/by Natalie GunnArchiving Best Practices
/by Natalie GunnConcierge Archiving Services
/by Natalie GunnIf you love a good project and tackling that cluttered photo closet (or desktop computer) doesn’t scare you – go ahead and dive right in! After all, you have a personal connection to all those memories and you know exactly what you want to keep or toss. Here are a few Pro Tips for those of you who are managing a photo organizing project on your own:
Begin by sorting based on subject, event, or date. Choose a categorizing method that makes the most sense for you. Think ahead to how you and your family will want to access these memories in the future. If you’re working with printed photos – make piles or use small bins. If you’re organizing digital files – create folders and name them based on your preferred sorting method.
Toss or delete multiple or redundant images from the same event. After all, do you really need to keep 26 images from little Chloe’s birthday party? Also, eliminate duplicates or poor quality shots where the lighting or subject matter isn’t up to par. The goal here, is to refine your photo collection to only the “best of the best” images/photos.
Decide what you want to do with the physical photos and memorabilia long term. Do you simply want your photo closet more organized? Do you want to digitize all of your printed photographs? Do you want to make photo books for family members? Knowing your end goal, will help you make decisions on how to complete your project.
Let the local expert do the heavy lifting
Sure, you could scan your family photographs one by one on a home scanner, but do you really want to give up your weekends for the next 6 months?
Trusted local photo experts (like us), have the equipment, training, and professional experience to manage this portion of the project for you. We’ll carefully digitize, color correct and save your printed memories as digital files. Once your memories are in a digital format – you have countless ways to share them with family members and make fun photo creations with them.
PRO TIP: Determine which family members would like a copy of your digital files – not only today but also in the future. It’s easiest and most affordable to order multiple copies of your files at the time of digitizing. Think about your children, your siblings, your parents, etc.
Hiring a Professional
If a project like this just isn’t for you or if you’re managing an extreme amount of memorabilia – then you may want to consider hiring a professional to help sort, name, and organize the items. Our archiving team can help you get started and advise you on the best way to approach your project. We also have relationships with local professional organizers and archivists who can assist as well.