Hobbies And Interests
Websites
There are a number of websites that are dedicated to archiving photos, such as Flickr and The Photo Archival Company. These sites offer online storage space for your photographs just by simply creating an account. Online archiving is especially safe in case your computer crashes because you can simply return to the website they're stored on and download them back to your computer. If you scan your film prints to your computer, you'll never have to worry about them discoloring with age and can enjoy them for years to come.
Compact Discs
Compact discs, or CDs, are useful for photo archiving because they take up little space and can hold large amounts of data. They'll replace the boxes and boxes of film prints that may be collecting in your closet.
There are different types of CDs you can use for storage. They are most commonly available as CD-R or CD-RW. A CD-R only allows you to download data onto it once, whereas a CD-RW can be rewritten many times.
However, be careful what kind of marker you use to write on the CD because the acid in the ink can deteriorate it. The acid in the adhesive of labels can also be harmful to CDs, so take note of what you use on your CDs to increase the lifespan.
Mass Storage Devices
Mass storage devices such as flash drives and external hard drives are available with different amounts of storage space for varying prices. They work similar to CDs, but are usually smaller in size, making them convenient for travel. They can store more photos than a CD and are entirely rewritable.