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How Can I Preserve My Lifetime of Memories in Photographs?
Like most folks you have probably have organized and sorted your photos atleast once. The problem is they never seem to stay organized no matter how hard you try, and even if they do they seem to lack that original impact that they had shortly after you took them or if they do, you never drag them out until sadly, someone passes on.
Now you can not only organize them for good, but ensure they maintain that original sentiment felt when you first took them and are readably available for that sentimental journey at a moments notice. How would you like to be able to share your most cherished memories "with" your loved ones and preserve them for future generations as well?
There is a a technique known as "video scrapbooks" that can transform your static photographs into a true cinematic experience. Much like a paper scrapbook this media places your photos into a digital format and "turns the pages" automatically for you. Once placed in this format your memories are preserved forever and can reproduced easily for sharing.
But beware!!
There are many "so called" professional services out there that can do this for you. Sadly many of them use nothing more than a "cookie cutter" software package or PowerPoint. While they may do the job to a minmal standard,they are usually considerably over priced. The cost can range from $500.00 to $2,500.00 for a mere 60 photos worth of work.
When looking for that true professional service ensure that they use the pan+zoom technique made famous by Ken Burns and include music in their presentation.
Ken Burns is the film maker that created an entire movie covering the Civil war using only photographs that were brought to life by panning across the photos and zooming in for closeup shots.
Gathering your photos and sorting them is where you get to take that sentimental journey and pick out your favorite memories to preserve.
--The Steps--
Step 1 is to decide if you are going to order your photos by date, event or person or a combination of all three.
Step 2 is placing them in the order that you would like your video to flow from first photo to the last.
Step 3 is to write on post-it notes the number of the photo, i.e. photo#1, photo#2 etc. It is important to do this prior to placing the post-it note on the back of the photo since the pressure ogf writing can mar the actual photo.
Step 3 if sending your photos via mail is to make sure your photos are placed inside of a water proof or zip-lock plastic bag and then securely place between two sturdy pieces of cardboard.
Step 4 is to make sure you place them in a shipping box (e.g.USPS, FED EX, UPS etc.) and make sure the box is label as fragile to ensure proper handling.
Step 5 it is best to send in a manner that your package can be tracked and a signature from the receiver can be obtained. Most services will pay the return shipping cost.
Whomever you choose you will definetly be glad you did once you see the results.
Paul F. Olshefsky is the owner of "Sentimental Services" a service that specializes in the creation of Picture Book DVDs and keepsake videos. His introduction into the digital world started back in 1987 when he was trained by the U.S. ARMY on teir Tactical ARMY Combat Service Support Computer System. He has continued to further his digital knowledge thru college courses.
Paul F. Olshefsky
http://www.SentimentalServices.com