Memories can fade away in time, no matter how important they might be. That's why a photo scanning service is highly important to always remember the important moments of your life by making your slides and paper photos digital so they are not hidden away in a box. 

Just having a scanner doesn't guarantee that you'll get the perfect scans.

Though it might seem to be a simple task, there is more to photo scanning than you think and you'll need the advantages of a photo scanning service to preserve your memories in great condition. An expert knows how to take advantage of the latest technology to meet your requirements. 

When you ask for the help of a specialist, he will perform the scanning and editing for you to get the most of your photos. It's important to know that not all scanners can do the job. If you want to get a good quality, you'll need a premium one.  You could buy your own but the whole set with all the features can be a large investment. Not to mention that you'll need some serious knowledge and expertise to handle the equipment correctly. And that obviously takes time. 

The image quality is crucial. Each photo or slide represents a unique moment in time and it shouldn't be damaged with poor quality. All images are calculated in dot per inch or dpi. A higher dpi means an improved quality of the image so that's what you should be going for. A professional scanner can make you live again the events portrayed in the pictures by rendering them at an incredible high quality. A clear photo doesn't only mean the accomplishment of the task, but also another moment that you'll remember and cherish forever.

Asking for services from a reputable scanning company is the perfect way to scan many pictures fast and to get the best results possible. You don't have to invest in costly scanners that will give you headaches because their technology is pretty complicated. It will often cost less then your own investment of time and equipment would be. A specialized company has all types of hardware and software that will perform all the tasks at the best quality. It may look easy to do, but a photo scanning service scans so many photos they can scan them perfectly and edit them in a short time because of their experience and passion for the task.

If you’re interested in photo scanning services, you can look for local or online businesses and contact them. Asking them in advance about some details regarding their services will help you choose the best company for you.  An expert will politely answer all your questions without hesitating. 

Your old and dear photographs can be brought back to life quickly and effectively. They can even be corrected back to original perfection.. A reliable photo scanning service can help you restore all the small treasures that you want to remember for the years to come. You can show them to your friends and family anytime you wish, without fearing that they will get damaged and lost forever. 

If you have photos, slides to scan or vhs, 8mm and other film formats to transfer we are ready to answer your questions at 1-800-297-7226 Monday through Saturday or email us at lab@clickscanshare.com anytime. 

Do you know how to transfer super 8 film to digital? Many families still have Super 8 films from the 1960s, '70s or '80s of family events that need to be transferred to DVD for preservation. But unless you invest in some hi-tech scanners, it's best to let professionals take care of those transfers for you. Regardless, you should learn about some of the common scanning methods available on the market so you're aware of which ones give you the best quality.

Photos have been around for over a hundred-years and people have always worried that they might get damaged in a way or another. It is easy to ruin a memory forever, bugs, water, fire.... But thanks to the brand new technologies, we can now transfer our photos to durable surfaces that are not prone to scratching, browning, tearing or folding. One of them is aluminum, which can be used to create metal prints.

There are three main things that we need to know when it comes to these kinds of unusual prints:

• The technique
  
• The price
  
• The maintenance
  
  

Technique

There is a dying process that involves dye sub. A specific dye is heated to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit and it's impregnated into a ribbon. Then the image is printed in reverse to a transfer surface. The dye firstly gets transferred to the intermediary sheet, then to the object, after the object gets a special coating.

Without the special coating, aluminum panels can't receive the dye because the coating captures it when it's heated due to the polymer. In this way the images are transferred into the surface of a solid sheet of metal.

Price

A metal print is quite expensive. The average prices for these prints are the following: $18.99 for a 5x7 metal print, $23.99  8x8 metal print, $29.99 8x10 metal print and $37.99 for a 10x10 metal print.

Maintenance

The UV-resistant coating is durable and won't easily get scratched. This doesn't only protect the surface from unwanted scratches, but also from other elements such as water or high humidity. Metal prints should be cleaned with microfiber towels. If you feel that the surface is quite dusty or you just want to clean it well, use Cleaner Wax from Meguiar's or isopropyl alcohol. It's not recommended to keep them in direct sunlight.

There are four types of metal prints: high gloss, sheer gloss, sheer matte and satin. When the dyes are transferred into the aluminum surface, they get luminescent qualities. If you want to see emphasized colors, it's recommended to go for high gloss or sheer gloss. The other ones don't have any highlights, but they render the metallic texture better.

So it's basically up to you if you want to see the intensity of reflective and glass-like colors or if you want to stress the texture and details specific to metal surfaces. The polymer can be clear or white. The clear one is for sheet gloss and sheer mate, while the white one is specific for satin and high gloss.

Metal prints are not only way more durable than any type of paper, but they look more interesting too. Whether they look nicer just because we're so used to see paper prints, they are definitely catching attention really fast. They are indeed more expensive than regular paper. But, in the end, a higher quality product is always pricier than a standard one so the price is pretty justified.

List of all of metal print prices and sizes at Click Scan Share.com

You could encapsulate a MiniDV tapes description and history by signifying it as the bridge between videocassettes and the digital world of DVD. But you also have some interesting history in-between the generalities that you should know about, particularly in how MiniDV never went away.

What MiniDV Was and Is

When first created in the mid 1990s, MiniDV was the more compact answer to the 8mm videotape that was dominating the market at the time. The body of the tape was half that of a standard VHS videotape and even smaller than the reduced volume of 8mm tapes. It also had a tape width of about 1/4 inches.

In case you wondered what the "DV" stands for, it simply meant digital video. It was the first video format to provide digital quality images and could go up to 525 lines of resolution. Thanks to higher bandwidth, color resolution was also better. It's no wonder that it took off and became a standard as the VHS and 8mm video slowly died out throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

What made MiniDV even better was in the durability of the tape. Thanks to multiple layers, MiniDV tapes made back in the 1990s are probably still in good shape today. Two magnetic layers, a carbon layer and another layer of black coating provided the most durable videotape ever designed.

What Was the Fate of MiniDV?

Because of the high quality and portability of these mini tapes, they've never gone away completely. While recording tapeless has mostly taken over the camcorder market now, some professionals in the media still use the MiniDV format. A larger format was even created later that allowed up to four and a half hours of recording time. Nowadays, DV video can be transferred to flash memory cards or discs and turned into computer files.

As far as MiniDV tapes, they can still be bought in various time lengths from the same dealers who produced them years ago. Familiar names like TDK, Maxell, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, RCA and JVC all still make the tapes. While it may not be in full mainstream use for the media, it's still a cheaper alternative for journalists or filmmakers working on budgets.

Perhaps you have some old MiniDV tapes in storage somewhere that contain home movies you want to preserve. We can do that for you here at Click-Scan-Share. With our attention to detail, we'll place the tape contents on a gold DVD for long-term preservation. Even if the original tapes still play well, you can't expect them to stay in good condition forever.

Contact us for all your media transfer or photographic projects. We're your one-stop photo shop online or in our brick and mortar stores.

Traditional paper prints have been a revolution themselves. But that was a long while ago. We all know how easily they get destroyed resulting in a unique memory being lost forever. Then digital photos appeared. But digital photos usually get lost and forgotten on your computer.

Now you have the best option for your photos: High Definition Metal Prints. Their quality is so amazing that you have to see it to believe it. Basically, the photo is infused onto a metal surface. The result is an image with stunning details, rich vivid colors and a fascinating luminescence that can't be matched by any other print.

Metal prints have the following astonishing advantages:

Quality

Your memories will be brought back to life due to standards of quality never met before.

Colors and Details

The metal print has unbelievable depth, detail and bright colors.

Finishes

There are four different finishes – silver satin, glossy silver, glossy white or white satin. The names might slightly vary a bit. Basically, the gloss finishes are very shiny and reflect light really well, while the satin ones are matte.

Durability

Metal prints are extremely durable to any type of damage. The image is waterproof, scratch resistant and weatherproof. You can quickly clean it with a cloth and a glass cleaner. These prints really crush the competition when it comes to durability. There is no other surface that is so durable and reliable.

Mounts

Metal prints are usually ready-to-hang in floating mounts. There are other mounting options that you can choose such as sophisticated acrylic pedestals or fold-out easels.

It takes just a few days for your metal print to be processed and there is a variety of shipping options. You'll be simply thrilled when you'll see your breathtaking metal photographic print

Hi8 & Digital 8 tapes were introduced in the era just prior to complete digital formats taking over the film and video industry. During the time frame of Hi8 and Digital 8, consumers saw a preview of what was possible by improving picture and sound quality for the home video recording market. It was also part of the evolution of the 8mm video format that helped create more efficiency by providing a smaller size to the videotape. Despite these qualities and conveniences, converting Hi-8 videos to DVD is the smartest move in order to preserve any captured memories for the future.

Video8 and its variations were the last developments in the evolution of videotapes right up to when the digital era began. But where does that little 8 come from in the first place? It was an extension that gave a nod to 8mm that goes back to the earliest days when families captured special moments on film. Converting your old Video 8 tapes to DVD is possible in order to preserve the memories you may still have captured on them.

Article by Dotty Weber

Here is the step by step procedure to give your photos the painterly look that you see on this sample.  I use Photoshop CS5 so these instructions may need to be adjusted a bit according to your system.

1. Duplicate image (image>duplicate).  Close original
   
2. Lighten the image: Image>Apply Image.  In the dialogue box that comes up, change blending mode to ‘screen’ & opacity to 100%
   
3. Duplicate this overexposed image: Image>Duplicate
   
4. Blur this 2nd image: Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blue..in the dialogue box that comes up use Radius setting of 15 to 50 pixels.  The higher the number the blurrier the photo & the more ‘painterly’ the image.  
   
5. With both image copies visible, select the move tool.  Hold down ‘Shift’ key and drag & drop the blurry image onto the sharp one.  Don’t release shift key until you release the mouse or they won’t line up.
   
6. In layers change the blend mode from ‘normal’ to ‘multiply’.  Change opacity to alter effect
   
7. Flatten the layers and make any additional adjustments in Photoshop.          
   

This artsy touch doesn't seem to be something for every image but works really well with scenery and some nature shots.  It certainly can make some nice images even more stunning.  Enjoy.

Just a decade ago, there were four main technologies for printing HQ images digitally: inkjet, dye sublimation, electrophotography and chromogenic. These techniques are still available but they underwent great improvements. Now we can enjoy incredible quality that we never thought will be available anytime soon.






Here are the basic technologies for photo printing:

Inkjet

The first photo print using inkjet was made in 1989. Until 2005, there were about 5,000 print service providers in the United States and other countries. Epson was the first company to launch an inkjet printer for home purposes.

Canon and HP joined as well and in a few years the dye-based inks were switched to pigment ones. Inkjet still represents the easiest and most preferred way of printing photos as people can quickly get nice photos in the comfort of their own home.

Dye sublimation

It is the technique used for the most popular alternative print: metal prints. The process consists in a thermal transfer that is performed through dye sub. The image is printed onto a transfer sheet.

Then it's transferred to an aluminum surface with a special coating using heat and pressure. The special heat-sensitive inks provide a highly durable metal photographic print. It is easy to clean and it resists to basically any type of damage.

Electrophotography

It refers mostly to toners that are being used to print instant photo books, magazines, calendars or cards. The machines that perform this technology are limited at 12x19 inches.

Chromogenic print (also called "dye coupler prints" or "Digital C-print")

This technology is a bit similar to the old-fashioned photo processing. It refers to the process where a digital frontend is exposed or scanned to paper then it goes into a silver halide backend. There are two options: Digital Minilab and Wide-Format. The original manufacturers of the devices were Kodak, Fuji and Agfa.

Photographers are usually divided into two categories: the ones who regard the output from the chromogenic machines as being the real deal and the ones who think that inkjet is better as it provides an improved permanence and a wider paper selection.

Prints are physical objects that you can display, show off, store, move and enjoy. Though photos exist in the virtual world, they usually get lost between hundreds of folders and they lose their importance. Regardless of the type of print you choose, it's much better than to just store images on your hard drive.

As a matter of fact, all the new techniques such as metal prints are providing incredible opportunities to have durable and crystal-clear images. They can literally last hundreds of years so why shouldn't you dust off those old photos, scan them and convert them into works of art for your grandchildren to see as well? Unlike images on your computer, you can move them to your favorite place of the office or home to make you smile throughout the day.  

We are now witnessing a new age in photography: digital photography. It's indeed astonishing how photography evolved in just a few decades. This makes us proud to see how much humanity has evolved recently. Just a few years ago, we developed the photos we made onto various types of films to frame it or to serve other purposes. But these photos not only had a pretty low quality, but they were very prone to damage.

And back then, it was nearly impossible to do anything about it. Photo paper would fade away and get yellowish, while the film would easily decay as well. If you're older than a teenager, you probably remember those times very well. If you still have photo albums, it's probably a bit challenging to see them so damaged as you actually realize how time passes by and destroys everything in its path.

Now we have the amazing digital photography, so we can preserve the images so much more. Not to mention that the quality of digital cameras exceeds all the expectations. Digital images are so advanced and crystal-clear compared to traditional ones. Now many people have the chance to turn to a revolutionary method: giclee.

The photos can be transferred onto computers from digital cameras and then they can be printed onto canvas. The result is the highest quality photo that you could get. You can use photo editing software such as Photoshop or Corel to improve your images in all the ways you need. There is no standard size for a canvas photo. It can have any size you want. But it doesn't lose the quality. It renders a photo with a top notch quality. This method actually meets all the needs concerning photo printing.

Canvas photos are incredibly detailed and are very long-lasting. If you take care of them and you ensure the proper conditions, they can last up to a century without fading away or getting yellowish. As long as you'll keep them away from humidity, dust and direct light, they won't decay.

Frequently used effects of canvas photos

The most commonly used effect is black and white. Photographers like it because it offers a dramatic effect. It can be easily applied using a photo editing software. You don't even have to master Photoshop or other software to add this effect.

Click Scan Share provides endless opportunities. Photo editing is not even such a difficult task. Photographers can basically create and transform any type of image. It's a fact that photography has been revolutionized. There have never been so many possibilities to make a nice memory last forever. You can print the old photographs and frame them in the bedroom, transfer landscape images onto a big canvas to lift your spirit every day or print any photo that makes you happy.

Article by Dotty Weber

Seeing these three beautiful places in California in our 2-week vacation was our goal.  But what time of the year seemed to be most favorable to us?  We settled on the first 2 weeks in April.  Here are some of the things we considered during our planning:

If we went later than April, Death Valley will be very hot.  So we made this our 1st destination and even with that the temperature peaked at 97° in Badwater.  So going in February the weather would be awesome.   But another thing to consider for going in early April is that the spring flowers can be spectacular with some luck and the right weather conditions being on your side.  So many decisions to be made! 

To include Mono Lake into this trip we drove up Hwy 395 from Death Valley to Lee Vining which is the nearest town to Mono Lake.  We had one snowstorm overnight but by mid-morning it had melted.  Again in February you'll probably see more snow.  By the way, the tufas at Mono Lake are way cool covered in snow.  One more down side to February is missing a visit to the great ghost town of Bodie as the road will not be passable yet.  

The road over Tioga Pass into Yosemite Valley from Lee Vining is only 77 miles does not open until mid May.  This causes a detour to a pass that is open, meaning about a 6 hour drive.  This was our route:

•  Drive North on Hwy 395 to Minden Nevada.
• Take Carson Pass (Hwy 88) to Jackson California
• Then take Hwy 49 South to Big Oak Flat
• Hwy 120 which will then take you into Yosemite.

If we went earlier than April, Yosemite would still be quite frozen.  Even in mid April we had two overnight lows of 15° and 19° and one snowstorm overnight which melted by early morning.  This time of the year also means we escaped the summertime crowds and saw the waterfalls flowing throughout the valley.  So Yosemite in February means you need to be ready for possibly a lot of snow and very cold temperatures.  

But here is my MAIN reason to suggest a visit in February.  You see there is this crazy, beautiful photographic event at Horsetail Falls that happens only around mid to late February.  Conditions have to be just right, enough snow melt for water to be coming over the cliff, and enough of a break in the clouds at just the right time around sunset for the light to hit the falls to see what looks like lava flowing where Horsetail Falls should be.  I've never seen it but it's on my bucket list of things to photograph.  And as I've not seen it myself I have no images I can share.  But here is a link from Yosemite Park to visit and see why it's a must see!  http://www.yosemitepark.com/horsetail-fall.aspx

We had a fabulous trip in April but I would bet you would have a 'WOW' trip if you go in February.  I know the next time we go I'll be aiming for a February trek!

When you're looking to get digital movie files or ripped DVDs, it's very easy to get lost in the alphabet soup of file formats. MPEG, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV? You might find yourself asking, What do these mean? How do I know which one is best for what I need? Luckily, Click Scan Share has compiled a MPEG vs MOV comparison of pros and cons that will help you decide which one of these two common file formats is the one you're looking for.

MPEG

• Pros:
  • MPEG files produce very high quality results that are duplicates to their originals.
  • This format is compatible with most web browsers and can be run on multiple platforms including Windows Media Player and QuickTime.
• Cons:
  • Although the end products of MPEG are very high quality, this results in a low compression ratio or a larger file size. This can be a problem if you are trying to be efficient in your storage space.
  • A larger file may take longer to open.

MOV

• Pros:
  • MOV is a convenient file format because it can hold different media elements, including video and audio, all in one compact place.
  • It stores data so you can easily edit the file if you need to, without the hassle of rewriting.
  • If you plan to transmit your file over the Internet, MOV might be for you because it is used primarily on the web.
• Cons:
  • MOV files work specifically on QuickTime Media Player. If the computer or mobile device you are using does not have this specific platform, you have to convert the file to a different format.
  • Since MOV compresses files to more compact sizes, the overall quality of the end product might be lowered in the process.

Still have questions about file formats? Please, contact us for answers to any and all of them. We'd be happy to help!

VHS-C was the first variation on the VHS videotape in the early 1980s after about six years of battling for market domination against Betamax. By 1982 VHS had largely won the market and began to make slight improvements, along with attempts to make the format smaller and more compact.

Article by Dotty Weber

I used Adobe Photoshop CS5 for this tutorial so there may be some steps that will vary. Many of the photo editing tips I will show have been self-taught so we can be learning together. Please always feel free to make comments if you give this technique a try for us all to learn together.

Here I am blending two images with different focal points to make one image with sharpness front to back using CS5. I knew there was a process to do this even though I've never had great success at it, but I still shoot many images with merging them later in mind. Always a good thing to keep in mind, even if you can't do it yet, take the images for when you have found the way to create the magic. Memory is cheap. 

I have recently found CS5 has a very easy process to make this happen. It is most useful on subjects with no movement. These images above are not a perfect subject but I included a step to help align the subjects.
These two images above were shot on an overcast day and in the shade. A good setting to cut my teeth on as there was a slight breeze and low light preventing a small aperture.Camera settings: 

• ISO 200, 1/50 second at f.11.

• It always helps to have a camera set on a sturdy tripod.

• Manual setting with the first image focusing on the foreground and the second focusing on the background.

CS5 Post-Editing Steps:

1. In Camera Raw, select the images you will be using. To do this select your first image by clicking on the thumbnail. Then while holding the Ctrl button select each thumbnail to include it. In my case I had only 2 images but you can use several images with varying focal point front to back.
2. Select Tools>Photoshop>Load Files into Photoshop Layers.
3. If as in my example you know there was movement in the subjects, select both layers by holding down the Ctrl button and clicking on all layers.
4. Select Edit>Auto-Align Layers which will bring up a dialog box where you click on the Auto button, then OK.
5. Now to work the focus blend magic you select Edit>Auto-Blend Layers selecting the Stack Images button and clicking the Seamless Tones and Colors box. Then click OK.

This will show you the complicated masking and blending that CS5 will do behind the scenes for you. It's not always perfect so you might need to go into the masks and make some manual adjustments by using the brush tool and painting with black (to conceal) or white (to reveal) areas that aren't quite right. But you will get the idea the more you play around with it.

The details of a painting define it as a true work of art. You might have wished to get the same effect in your photos. Now you can as there is a new method in town that can turn photos into canvas prints. 

Click Scan Share is favorite of expert photographers due to its first class quality and stunning details. But you don't have to be a specialist in the field to take advantage of the benefits provided by this advanced technology. Everyone can transform photos into incredible canvas prints. Just ask a professional service to use Click Scan Share printing and do it for you.

Here are the main qualities of a canvas print:

Can be used to print any photo.

The better the quality of the photo, the better the canvas print. But, as a general rule, you can basically transfer any type of photo and convert it into a canvas print. You can scan those 'oldies but goldies' traditional photos into your computer or send photos to your computer straight from the digital camera. Then you can use them as you want to make something really special.


Photos can be improved or edited using any photo editing program. 

In this way you can get the best of them. You can add sepia, black and white or other effects to give it a dramatic look. If you know a bit of Photoshop or other photo software, you can transform it completely to make it look exactly how you want it to.


You can add impressive effects before printing. 

Just think how you noticed that the old photos faded away really fast. And canvas prints can last for so long? Photographers and users should definitely be thankful to the people who made this happen. Even your grandchildren will be able to see photos from your childhood. Isn't that cool?

Canvas is very appealing for photographers. And we all know that they are obsessed with rendering the best images. But we can all have beautiful works of art right in our living rooms. They also represent great gifts for birthdays, celebrations or any type of anniversary. As a matter of fact, why shouldn't you turn some cute photos into canvas prints right away to make an unexpected and pleasant surprise to someone close to you.

The need for scanning film is increasing. This includes 35 mm film as well as film slides and more. Today scanning films is able to be done with a high degree of quality. There is equipment available with a variety of options designed to meet almost any situation.

According to an article in Photography Magazine, “You can basically choose one of three scanner types: a film scanner, a regular flat-bed scanner, and if you're going to be needing it for commercial use to generate high-end scans, a drum scanner. There are of course more types on the market these days, but these are the main ones.”

Many people who regularly scan film at home recommend purchasing a scanner. They are designed to provide the best possible final image. These scanners are designed with a piece of glass between the negative and image sensor. The light provided in these scanners are very intense. This provides a more high quality final image than using other methods.

Scanning film provides a better result than scanning prints. This is common since film is the original image and not a second generation copy. Scanning film will create an image of increased detail that isn't possible when scanning prints. The tone range of a print is decreased and the color data has changed. Scanning film provides a wide range of contrasts that prints cannot provide.

Film images provide a challenge to know where one tone ends and the next one begins. This is continuous tonal gradation. When a person digitizes their images they are making these tones have digital values. This results in providing specific tones and colors for an image. The pictures have pixels that have designated color values. The images are free of tonal gradation.

If you would like to know more about scanning films we can help. Contact us today and learn more.

When S-VHS was first introduced to the world in 1987, it was touted as a significant improvement to the VHS format. Considering that the pixel limitations of VHS video stood at only 240 lines of horizontal resolution, the thought of nearly doubling that image quality was an exciting idea. The new format was dubbed "Super" VHS and S-VHS was born. When S-VHS made it from Japan to America in the late 1980s, it was expected to be a major evolutionary step forward in video technology with better picture and sound. Things turned out much differently, however.

If you want to look back to see the first amateur film available on the market, you'll want to read about 16mm film and its history. What you might find interesting in the history of 16mm film is in how it's evolved to a point of never going away. In fact, new digital variations of 16mm are still being used today in TV production because of its more economical price.

Yes, 16mm has always been a cheaper alternative film, even though it's provided a lot of usefulness for multiple generations.

A look at the history of U-Matic video tapes needs to include some of the what-ifs in the history of video itself. It's true the U-Matic tape was the real progenitor of the later videocassette based on how it was the first video to be placed in cassette form. Even though video had been around since the late 1950s in television production, the format was basically open reel and not easy to store. U-Matic gave a more convenient way to store video, even if they looked like oversized VHS tapes in the context of today.

The development of U-Matic, though, is one that could have brought commercial VCR's to the world much earlier than in the late 1970s and early '80s.

Giving a photo gift doesn't have to be just relegated to the Christmas holidays, especially when chances for birthdays and anniversaries during the year never end. When you want to give something personal, placing photographs on items can be an idea that always goes over well. That's especially true when thinking of gifts for graduations, Mother's Day, Father's Day or any other occasion that arrives faster every year.

With bottled water being a near natural part of everyone's life, why not consider placing quality photographs on a personalized water bottle? Here at Click-Scan-Share, we can easily do this for you. And we can shape those photos to your specifications depending on personal style or the occasion it applies to.

Have you heard about the new trend of printing photos on tile? It's a process that might sound offbeat, but it's becoming a photographic technique that many people are starting to enjoy due to the quality and durability of the process. Plus, you can do some creative variations with tile that can't be done with any other photographic method.

Here's some reasons why you should try it. See why using tile for your photography can garner better reactions from visitors and in saving you wall space.

Let's be honest; there's a huge difference between a selfie and a professional photo. But with just a few simple tricks you can start turning your point and shoot snapshots into memorable works of art.

Having your flash right above your lens is the quickest way to a photo that looks like it was taken in the county jail. Direct flash is harsh, unflattering, and creates deep, dark shadows. And it's easy to fix; just move your flash. Most modern flashes have a technology call TTL (Through The Lens), which lets your DSLR control it at a distance, provided the flash has a line of sight to the camera. The specifics of how this work change from camera to camera, but for the most part the camera body will tell your flash what to do. If you have an older flash, you can pick up a PC cable for around $20 and hardwire your flash to the camera. Some DSLRs have a dedicated PC port for that cable, others will attach to your hot shoe. And you don't have to move your flash halfway across the room. Just shifting it a few feet to one side will help your photos immensely. 

Contrary to popular belief, photographers are still printing their images. Online photo printing is actually quite popular. Photo printing actually went up with 11 percent in 2012, as compared to 2008 in Europe, and grew with about 20% annually between 2007 and 2012 according to market research firms. The decade of digital photo printing is just starting to reveal its best alternatives.

Though you might think that most people only keep their photos on their computer, many print them. The digital cameras, the ability to transfer photos online and the improvement of broadband and mobile Internet connections allows people to make digital photos but they want to print and display them as well through print service providers.

There are local print shops and labs too at drugstores, warehouse clubs or stores. But it's easier and time-saving to use an online service. You'll go through the whole process right in the comfort of your bedroom and you'll get the print at your doorstep.

Some of the online providers are regular print shops that boosted their sales due to the Internet presence. A good example is Bay Photo Lab from Northern California, company that keeps up with the latest technology. Others are new businesses that adapted to the demands in the industry.

The most popular products are:

Canvas prints
Canvas prints are very valuable because they represent the perfect combination between the classic canvas and the new era of technology. In the U.S., they account for 12% of the online market in the field of photo printing and the number is continuously growing as more people find out about this solution.

It’s highly appealing to know that you can turn the photo you made into a ready-to-hang work of art. Canvas prints are very sophisticated and provide a truly one-of-a-kind classic experience that amazes the viewers.

There is a thriving industry online. There are framed prints and various do-it-yourself framing supplies so you don't have to worry that you won't be able to frame your canvas print because it has a non-standard size.

Alternative prints such as metal prints, printing on wood, and tile photo transfers.

This is the probably most creative part of photography. Printing on unusual surfaces doesn't only bring novelty and interest, but it provides the most durable prints, which will pass the cruel test of time. Metal prints stands out as they provides a great price per value, as well as an unbelievable quality and clarity of the image.

Paper prints
They are the traditional version of prints but, though they are prone to damage, they still represent most of the online photo printing market in the United States. Statistics show that they take about 48%, which is a great number. Due to inkjet machines, many people print their photos at home. For more advanced results, they hire a photo printing company.

Photo books
Self-published instant books. The costs for a personalized photo book with your images starts at $12.99.

In ancient times Wood Panels were used by artists as the support media for their paintings. Typically, a single, flat piece of wood was used for small paintings, while a number of attached pieces were used to form a larger surface. Several single panels often created a series of paintings that illustrated a story. 

The oldest surviving wood panel paintings are painted tablets from Greece. Early forms of wood panel paintings were religious images creating altar backs, altar fronts, and crucifixes in churches. Later, artists employed wood panels of smaller sizes for portraits, and miniatures for illuminated manuscripts. The most famous wood panel portrait is Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

Oak was the preferred wood for many painters, but white poplar, beech, cedar, chestnut, teak, and walnut were also used. The seasoned wood was planed and sanded then coated with a glue and 15 layers of gesso which provided an absorbent ground for tempra and oil paints. 

By the 16th century, canvas replaced wood panels as the favored support media for painters. Flemish and Dutch Realist artists continued using wood panels for small works and miniatures. Over the centuries canvas continued to be the king of support media, but today that has changed. The resurgence of wood panels for painting threatens canvas' reign. 

Wood panels are strong, rigid, and easily accepts a variety of paints from oils to watercolors. Panels showcase detailed and fine brushwork. The grain of the wood itself can be incorporated into the art for a unique finish. Photographers have now adapted wood panels into their work.

As an alternative to framing, wood panels appear to float on the wall. They have a natural, yet contemporary look. Completely sustainable and eco-friendly, wood panels give photographs a longevity and durability that will keep them looking fresh for years to come. Plus, wood panels go with any decor.

Anyone can create beautiful wood panel photo prints. Just contact us to get started.

Whether the perfect shot of a child crossing the finish line, concentrating at a piano recital, or their smudged face after a well-fought baseball game, these performance photos have a special place in the heart of those that love them.    Click•Scan•Share's metal prints are a unique way to turn these captured moments into a piece of art for your home or as a gift for their coach or other loved one.