I was recently hanging photos when a thought occurred to me. Of the thousands of pictures I have snapped, I have printed so few of my travel photos.
But, from time to time, I like to leaf through my bins full of printed photos. You know, the ones created from negatives during a time when digital technology seemed so distant and so expensive.
I think about scanning my hundreds of negatives so I will have a digital copy of all my photos. But the thought of how long that process might take makes me reconsider.
I have also thought about sending my negatives to a company that digitizes analog content. I have no idea what it might cost for them to digitize my boxes of negatives, and I have trust issues with photo processors ever since the local drug store lost the photos I took of Pearl Harbor when I was but a lad.
Now, I hear, film cameras are popular again. While I like to listen to records — the vinyl ones, not just the CDs I call records — I do not think I will return to film cameras.
Besides, do one-hour photo processors exist anymore?
I used to lament how long it took to develop photos if not for the one-hour processor. Now, I snap at least 10 times as many digital pictures. I wish I spent more time looking through my travel photos and enjoying them.
Even if a return to grain-infused film images is not in the works, that does not mean you cannot — or should not — print more travel photos. Why not return to that age-old classic: photo albums.
As another idea, make travel photos the centerpiece of your next soiree. Invite some friends for a themed party: Enjoy a nice bottle of Chianti while showing off your latest pictures from Italy.