Blog

Top 8 Mistakes People Make When Digitizing VHS Tapes Written by: Brandon Harris, Smooth Photo Scanning Services

Families often rediscover boxes of aging videotapes of weddings, birthdays, graduations, and everyday moments captured decades ago. Unfortunately, many people underestimate how fragile these memories really are. Digitizing old videos is a time-sensitive preservation task. VHS tapes are analog magnetic...

What’s the best resolution (DPI) for scanning old 35mm slides? Written by: Brandon Harris, Smooth Photo Scanning Services

TL;DR: The Ideal DPI for Scanning 35mm Slides If you want crisp and high-quality digital versions of your old film, aim for 3000 to 4000 DPI, the sweet spot for capturing the full detail of a standard 35mm slide size...

What Is The Difference Between 8mm and Super 8mm Film Written by: Brandon Harris, Smooth Photo Scanning Services

Preserving old family films requires understanding what film formats are in your possession. Many households have boxes of reels inherited from parents or grandparents, but few know whether they contain 8mm or Super 8mm film. Because the 8mm vs Super...

How To Clean Film Negatives? Written by: Brandon Harris, Smooth Photo Scanning Services

Cleaning film negatives is essential to preserve precious photographic history. Use safe, gentle techniques like dust removal, distilled water rinses, isopropyl or archival film cleaners, and avoid harsh chemicals or excessive handling. Store cleaned negatives in archival sleeves and stable...

Are VHS Tapes Worth Anything Today? Written by: Brandon Harris, Smooth Photo Scanning Services

Do VHS Tapes Still Have Value? Yes, but only for a lucky few. For most collectors, VHS tapes are more about memories than money. Still, in today's nostalgia-driven market, some VHS tapes worth money have surprised even seasoned collectors. These...

What to Do With Old VHS Tapes Written by: Brandon Harris, Smooth Photo Scanning Services

How Can You Handle Old VHS Tapes Easily? If you’re asking “What to do with old video tapes?”, here’s your quick roadmap: Digitize them (VHS to DVD or digital file) to preserve memories Recycle or dispose responsibly via e-waste programs...