Photos Scanning Poorly

[Kwenbee]

I am scanning family photos in an effort to preserve them for the future. Unfortunately, some of the scanned photos are of such poor quality, you cannot even see them. The glass is clean so it is not that. I don't want to use the extremely high resolution as it takes too much storage space and it will take me forever.

Every other HP printer I have used has scanned excellent photos at 300 dpi, but this one scans ALL photos poorly. I can actually take a photo with my phone and get a better image.

What can I do to make my photos clear but not eat up every bit of storage I have?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Kwenbee 

Welcome to the HP Community --

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@Kwenbee wrote:

I am scanning family photos in an effort to preserve them for the future.

Unfortunately, some of the scanned photos are of such poor quality, you cannot even see them.

The glass is clean so it is not that.

I don't want to use the extremely high resolution as it takes too much storage space and it will take me forever.

Every other HP printer I have used has scanned excellent photos at 300 dpi, but this one scans ALL photos poorly.

I can actually take a photo with my phone and get a better image.

What can I do to make my photos clear but not eat up every bit of storage I have?

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Product / Printer Model:  ?

Operating System:  ?

Software / Application:  ?

Connection Type:  ?

Content / File Type:  ?

Paper Size / Type: ?

Job type: Scanning family photos

I do not see where you mentioned your printer model or operating system/version.

If you did, I may have missed it, or your post may not have included that information.

True -- Scanning images that are less than excellent quality AND are very high-density is a waste of resource, , time, space, and effort. 

What?  High density scans of less-than-high density and good quality images must "fill in" the missing pixels with "fillers" -- the result can be splotched, uneven, and perhaps rather unpleasant.  300 DPI is generally a good place to start.

No idea what you are using -- printers differ but most models (of any brand) include decent scan / copy hardware.

Software / applications are also different -- again, most apps include the ability to scan at a variety of resolutions, including one or more that should be sufficient for most uses.

-- What to do? --

Not sure --

Perhaps use a different Scan application or software.

If your printer and device are connected wirelessly, make sure that the connection to your network is strong, stable, and not overly crowded with other devices or tasks.

If the printer is brand new -- it is possible that the glass is covered with a mylar or plastic film meant to protect the surface during transit. 

If the issue is something that can be fixed with your scanning app / software, consider editing the scanned content after the initial scan and before saving the image.

The scan example shown below was made from HP Smart - Windows.

The HP App (mobile) scan task is structured much the same way, though the Save destinations are different.

The HP App has changed the visual presentation slightly -- The background of the app menus appear in a different color and different fonts have been used.

True -- none of the editing tools can correct a poor, out of focus image.

If you would like to try it --

HP Smart - Windows

OR

HP App - Mobile

After the initial Scan of the content,

Look for -- and select -- the Edit menu (possibly "dots" arranged horizontally or vertically)

Select "Adjust" to see options for changing the colors.

HP_Smart_Win_Scan_Photo_Save_5

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[Kwenbee]

I thought since I chose the printer at the top of the post it would show…sorry

i am using a brand new MacBook Air and an HP 9120e. I am not home so not sure the OS. But it is the most recent version as I just updated.

the printer seems to have the worst problem with black and white photos. I did place a dark sheet of paper behind them and got a little better results. I cannot figure out how to share a photo here to show what it is doing…

[Dragon-Fur]

@Kwenbee 

The printer model / OS version display in the posts is somewhat (unfortunately) haphazard.

Not your fault.

I cannot help with Mac OS beyond the the general description of using the HP App.

Mac likely includes it's own print / scan software -- try that.

Yes, HP 9120e should be able to scan a decent image -- I have the 9135e and the scan hardware is the same.

Perhaps the images are less than ideal for scanning -- it's certainly the case when I've tried to scan my old family photos.  Yes, black and white photos, generally shot decades ago at low resolution, might pose the most challenge.

Posting an image here is possible (use the "camera" icon at the top of the editor and upload).  That said, it is generally not a good idea to share private photos here -- we are a public website.  Assuming the photo makes it past the privacy filters, public posts are forever.   Not ideal.

Consider a professional scan service.

Eeek!

Yes, risking family photos with a remote service is a risk --

Lands forbid the service destroy or lose your photos!

If you can find a local photo store in your area, perhaps take a few of your photos into the shop and ask for help / advice.

You could also scan what you have as best can be done and then use a decent photo editing software to try and repair the photo / image file.

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Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

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[Kwenbee]

I think I have resolved the poor quality issue using the darker paper behind the photos. However, now I have a new issue. The scanner suddenly freezes after telling it to scan a photo. The only way to clear the issue is to turn the printer off and back on.

This has happened four times today alone. It will print when this error occurs, but it is like the scanner is just locked and it will do nothing.

I have to say this is definitely the most difficult to use printer I have ever had with HP...