Digital BW, The Print

Hello Jodie,

>There are hundreds of them, and they vary in type and 
>condition, but they are all black and white.  
>I want to copy/repair/enhance them.  

This will be a big job and is really three separate things:

1) making the scans 
2) how to manipulate the image files
3) how to make the images viewable

Each of these requires a piece of modern technology and a learning
curve.

For scanning, most any modern flatbed scanner will do a good job.  If
any of the photos are larger than 8x10 then it would require a larger
(more expensive) scanner.  An option here might be to get an 8x10
scanner and have any larger prints scanned commercially.

A big question is what resolution you want to scan them at.  If you
want to scan them for a CD or web site album that family members can
view with a browser, then low resolution scans are adequate.  If you
want to reprint them on a photo printer then higher resolution is
needed.  Higher resolution scans will produce bigger files and will
require more hard drive space.

For manipulating the images there are many programs for doing that,
beginning with Photoshop at the top ($600 and complex), to Photoshop
elements ($100, still complex but very capable) to Microsoft's new 
thingie ($89 I think...???, and probably easier to use), Picture
Window ($50 and somewhat complex) and so on down.  I'm sure others
here will have suggestions.  The main thing is that the more complex
it is the more it's capable of, so there's always a trade off.  You
have to find the right balance between what you'd like to accomplish,
how much you're willing to invest (time, money and effort), and how
well you do at learning computer type technical things.

For displaying the results, if you want to make a CD album or web
page, you must learn basic HTML writing and get a web page creating
program (there are lots of them and it's a whole 'nother subject). 
I've got a great basic HTML tutor that's been passed around for years
now, and it's still the best.  It will be a big help no matter what
program you use, and is highly recommended to work through this
(couple of hours) before buying a program.  It's easy and lots of fun.
 I can send it to you if you're interested.

If you want to reprint the photos on a photo printer then this forum
is the right place to be, and there are many issues to decide on. 
I'll leave it at that for now.  

This is just an overview, but I hope it helps to give some
perspective.
Peace, blessings and strength to you in your caregiving.

Regards, 
Clayton