January 24th, 2011 
admin 
One reason that anyone should consider slide scanning services is that these images are fading fast into history. It is never apparent when the slide has been newly made, but the color will be subject to change even if you believe it is stored properly and away from any damaging light. Unfortunately, color shifts and a yellow tinge-like haze might appear on slides that you have stored for years and only realize their deteriorating condition once you pull them out to take a walk down memory lane.
Digitizing Can Help
Digitizing any image, especially color slides, can help to preserve a crisp and clean colorful image for quite some time. However scanning your slides may not be a surefire cure to preserve these images if they have already started fading or have developed a yellow light cast. Furthermore, if your slides have not been protected carefully throughout time they may have developed handling or just scratches that will affect the viewing image. Using slide scanning services on images that have not deteriorated or been scratched is an important step toward keeping them safe for generations to come. But, there are several steps you can take in order to try to extend the life of your color slides before you get around to digitizing your memories.
Cool Temperature is, Well, Cool
Most institutions that have large libraries of color slide images keep these under refrigerated conditions. Published research data from photography leaders such as Kodak, indicate that any color slide that is stored in the dark at temperatures lower than 39 degrees along with relative low humidity will have a better chance at an extended life. A good rule to follow is that if the image is older it needs to be colder.
High and Dry
Keeping your color slides in a relatively low humidity is also important to create extended life. To gain the maximum amount of low humidity possible, you should place your color slides in an airtight container and place it in a freezer.
Air Conditioned at Least
If storing your colored slides in an airtight container in the freezer is not possible, the next best thing to do is to make sure they are placed in an air-conditioned environment. Make sure, however, to avoid placing your stored color slides in either the attic or the basement because both of these environments experience high levels of humidity sometime during the year.
Factors to Consider
It’s an easy bet that your old slides taken just a few decades ago hold precious images you would like to retain. Although there is a cost factor that you need to consider when trying to preserve your family images, you also need to consider what will be the cost to your family if you allow these images to fade into nothingness. Through utilizing reliable and professional slide scanning services you’ll discover the opportunity to create an ongoing plan to digitize the entire library of colored slides that you possess.
So, don’t wait too long to drag out those cartons or pages of slides you have stored back in the dark deep recesses of the closet to become digitized. Because if you wait too long, they may have just faded into history.
By: Keith Spangler
About the Author:
Even though price is a consideration when choosing slide scanning services, you also need to make sure the services available are professional and complete. Slide scanning services that provide restoration and color correction will be able to preserve your images for generations to come.
