Protecting Your Memories

When people talk about the unimaginable disaster of an inferno within their homes that ultimately destroys every single thing they ever had to call their own, it is often surprising to find out which items really mean the most to some individuals. There is normally some kind of trinket or keepsake that had been stored inside a drawer for the past thirty years, or maybe an irreplaceable gift that carried some kind of sentimental value. Often times these treasured items had little to no monetary value, but the personal cost of having these items stripped away so suddenly can add up to more than all of the appliances, computes, and televisions within the home put together.

One of the most frequently talked about items after some type of natural disaster is losing old photographs, and since the days of the internet and backup servers are such a relatively new technology a tragedy such as this can make the faces of your loved ones from the past disappear forever if they have not been saved within a secure location. This week Coupon Shack will look at ways to preserve and even restore old photographs and family albums so those memories can last forever.

Save your photographs forever

The first step any homeowner should consider when protecting their family photographs from time is to purchase an inexpensive printer/scanner like they sell over at CompUSA that allows you to backup your memories to a hard drive. From there they can either be burned to a CD or DVD then stored in a safe place (like a safe deposit box) so you know that they will always be there for your family to enjoy. Homeowners should really consider getting in the habit of backing up all of their photographs (and important documents) every few months so that they will remain timeless, and once the pictures are stored on your computer there are several programs available that will allow you to make a photo collage with your screensaver so your memories are displayed automatically every time your CPU is idle.

Many consumers are taking this protection even a step further by signing up for free online storage at Mozy, which gives you 2 GB of storage at absolutely no cost. Depending on the average size of the picture this can equate to as many as 550 photos stored online forever, and if additional space is necessary then additional storage can be purchased for a nominal monthly fee. Mozy is by far the most economical way to store your photographs online, and once an account it created it can be accessed from any computer in the world; allowing you access to your memories anywhere.

Make old photos new again

Believe it or not, technology has come so far in the past ten years that even the oldest of photographs that are torn or smudged can be restored to perfect quality and appear as if you just took the picture a few minutes ago. Picture Evolution specializes in restoring old photographs to brand new condition once again and their prices are very reasonable for the quality of work that is ultimately delivered. Using computer rendering software their process can restore discolorations, ripped areas, or even small holes caused from the natural aging process all pictures go through, which is an incredible benefit to those of us who have loved ones that are no longer with us yet we want to preserve their visual memory. Picture Evolution also carries a number of novelty gifts that can feature your timeless photographs, which makes a great holiday gift idea.

Another popular service is the Kodak EasyShare Gallery, which allows you to make online slideshows for all of your friends to view at their leisure. Once your pictures are uploaded, they go through a similar process that digitally corrects them to provide the maximum clarity within any photograph, and if the hard copies of the pictures are ever lost they can be ordered once again directly from Kodak online. Your friends and family all over the world can also order copies of your snapshots, so this is a fantastic way to share your most treasured memories.

Turn Pictures into Magic

While storing your pictures online or on disk is a fantastic way to ensure that they remain within your family forever, sometimes a certain photograph is so special that it needs to be transformed into something timeless. Canvas Press has built their business model around this exact sentiment and the product that they create is simply fantastic. They can transform any picture into art by transferring the image onto a canvas, which can then in turn be framed and displayed on the walls throughout your home. Their prices (starting at $30) are much less than you would expect for such an innovative and time consuming service, and they have among the best customer service in the industry.

If you are seeking an exact replica then Canvas Press is the way to go, but if something more original meets your fancy then you may wish to take a different approach. Another viable alternative is to hire an amateur artist that will replicate the details within the photograph through their brushstrokes, and a good place to begin your search is at local colleges where aspiring art majors are often strapped for cash. Before deciding on any one particular student, request to see their portfolio in order to determine their skill level and do not be afraid to talk to numerous candidates since each of them will produce an original final product.

Remembering your Legacy

Perhaps the most important part about preserving your old photographs is actually getting them out and looking at them, and each item contained within this post is designed to do exactly that. When it comes down to it, there really is no difference between sharing your photographs online, reliving an old photo album within your home, or even displaying old memories within your screensaver or digital photo frame; the key is to remember those key moments that shaped your life and helped you become the person you are today. Enjoy your pictures and keep them safe!

Posted by Keith on October 20, 2010     Tags: Deal


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