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@atfarnum@dragonscave.space

Post #3440426

2026-06-28 02:54 UTC

Dear blind hive mind, My parents have some old family photos they want to digitize. They are not techy so this has become a task for me. Any advice on accessible scanning software? Windows or Mac is fine. Looking for the simplest way to do this. I'm not concerned with editing the photos after they are scanned. I just want an easy, accessible way to scan a crapload of old pictures. Bonus points for tips on creating a digital photo library with easily viewable image descriptions so that I can easily find the photos I want after I'm done with all the scanning. Thanks for your input. #Blind #Accessibility #A11y

Replies (4)

  • @nomdeb@mstdn.social 2026-06-28 03:47

    @atfarnum@dragonscave.space I'm not blind, but I did a MASSIVE photo scan for my husband's family and it was a CHORE. I don't know if this is helpful at all, but I used my Fujitsu scansnap on high resolution scanning for batches of photos that didn't matter that much or were not very old & delicate and a flatbed scanner for larger or delicate or important photos that needed real care. I think I did something like 24,000 and now what I have left are very old early 1900s era ones I am trying to save.

    Open ##4240932

  • @finserra@opensocial.media 2026-06-28 04:30

    @atfarnum@dragonscave.space There are a number of options. Flatbed scanner on high resolution with multiple photos, which you later break up and polish with photo editing software. Fee-based software for your phone that autocrops and perfects. Mail-away services, like Southtree or Kodak, that take some time but give you a price per 25 photos (like $8). I've used those services to convert 16mm film and videotape, but they do photos as well. May give you a break on further bulk. Worked OK for me.

    Open ##4240939

  • @snaptophobic@mastodon.me.uk 2026-06-28 07:10

    @atfarnum@dragonscave.space You could consider using a smartphone camera. You may need a way to hold photos flat, and perhaps rig up a simple support for the phone. The resolution of the images would be plenty for what you should need.

    Open ##4240940

  • @markhburton@mstdn.social 2026-06-28 08:14

    @atfarnum@dragonscave.space I did this for old and ancient family photos: used a digital camera. Just used light from a window, not too sunny. Good enough to print in a book.

    Open ##4240943