Understanding The Process Of Photo Repair And Restoration
How do you repair my photo?
All work is done to a high resolution digital copy of your photograph. The only time the actual photo is handled is during the scanning process of making that copy.
What will it cost?
I try to keep costs minimal so the sevice stays available to everyone. I do not have a large studio with commercial overhead expenses; most expenses are for materials and maintaining quality equipment. See price details at Prices
Why can't I do this myself, I have a computer and scanner?
You can! And I certainly encourage you to do so. It is a very rewarding hobby especially when working with photos of people and places you have personal and emotional ties. There are very resonably priced software programs available and the internet is full of tutorials on the subject.
Why should I choose you, there are local studios that do the same work?
People come to me because of my experience level. (I have been working in digital image manipulation for over 15 years.) I have a passion for old photographs and family heritage that makes my involvement in the process very personal. Plus my background in several related fields gives me a unique approach to the final outcome. See About Me
What if I do not like the results?
Before any money is paid you will be sent a "proof" of my final version for your approval. If it does not meet your expectations I will rework it again and again to incorporate your ideas and suggestions. If I cannot produce a satisfactory photograph then you owe nothing.
I have a very fadded photo, can you restore the faces and background?
First, you must realize that faded images can be brought back but only the the elements still imbedded in the photo are there to be used. I cannot bring back what is not there. However, if you provide detailed information and even reference photos of the same scene or people I can often "paint" the details into the photo.
Can you restore colors?
The perception of color varies, sometimes highly, between individuals. This is not only having to do with the physiological difference in eyes but with mental reference. Part of my business background is in the automotive trade and the color term Kelly Green summons to mind hard, highly reflective metal surfaces and subtle variations between such manufacturing companies as Dupont, Metalflake and Chrysler. Your frame of reference may be influenced by St. Patrick's Day experiences or the memory of a soft Kelly Green sweater from high school. When color is critical try to provide a computer generated sample.
Can you turn my black and white into a color photograph?
"Black and White" and "Color" photographs are produced by two entirely different chemical processes and neither posseses the same information imbedded in the other. A color film does not even have black and white pigments per se but produce the effect much as it truly is in the physical world, a complete presence or absence of spectrum colors. Black and white photos can be "tinted" which is essentially painted over with translucent pigments that let the image show through. These do not even appear as true color photographs but have their own unique character and charm. See examples on Cosmetic
Can you sharpen a blurred picture or bring part of it into focus?
Some improvement is always possible but in general these type of photos do not have the detail information imbedded in them to make this possible.
I have a small, wallet-size photo. Can you enlarge it to an 8 x 10?
Yes I can. But, it needs to be a very high resolution copy and often such extreme enlargements bring out hidden details of defects. Also there is a loss of sharpness and sometimes it become too "grainy" to produce a desirable effect. Very grainy originals can only be improved upon to a limited extent. See the enlargement of the "brown stain" photo at Restorations
I have a proffessional portrait of my parents stuck to the glass of a frame. Can you restore it?
First, do not try to unstick it. That kind of work should only be done by proffesionals who work with physical photo restoration. I only work with digital images and the photo can be scanned through the glass with resonable results.
Second, I honor copyrights. I will not scan or alter copyrighted photographs unless the are accompanied by a release form or written permission from the copyright holder (usually the photo studio) to work on the photo.
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