Make & keep
Dust on the scanner or damage on the strip?
Locate a defect before editing it out of every image.
A repeated speck can come from the capture setup rather than the photograph.
Compare another capture
Inspect the scanner surface following its manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Make a second capture after repositioning a replaceable test photograph. A mark that stays in the same scanner location suggests a capture issue. Do not scrape or use household cleaning products on an old strip while trying to diagnose a digital blemish.
Evidence: Preservation guidance
Keep correction reversible
Save the untouched capture and make any retouching on a derivative. Compare the strip itself under ordinary light without forcing or rubbing it. If the damage belongs to the original, document it before making a presentation copy. The purpose is to improve access while preserving evidence, not to make a repaired image masquerade as an untouched record.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- US National Archives — digitising family archivesPreservation guidance