|
| xxQ1. | How long have you been doing photo
restorations?
|
| xxA. |
I started working with photos in the mid 90's. I was beginning to use image editing as a part of my job and wanted to
learn more. Went to work on family and business photos. Read more: .
|
|
xxQ2. | Is my original photograph returned as is?
|
|
xxA. | Your original photographs are not changed in any way. Except in cases
where a foreign object stuck to the surface is removed from a photo, all work is done by computer and I work only on
scanned images of your original pictures. Originals are returned with the restored photos.
|
|
xxQ3. | What software do you use?
|
| xxA. | I use the full version of Adobe Photoshop, and other
specialized software. My original scanner came with a different editing software. I was not getting the results that I
wanted until I started using Photoshop, which I found easier to learn and use. That was many years ago and competing
software applications have improved greatly, as has Photoshop.
|
|
xxQ4. | What is an archival quality print??
|
|
xxA. | An archival quality print is a modern photo print made on a printer
designed to use archival quality ink and photo paper. These modern printers produce photographs tested and rated for long
term light fastness. That is, these photo prints will retain their colors and brightness for periods ranging up to and over
100 years. (Read more) Older photogrtaphs and even photos printed
in the last 20 years may fade and suffer color shifts in a matter of years. I am printing exclusively archival quality
photos. These photos should be displayed indoors and behind glass to retain their archival qualities.
|
|
xxQ5. | What is the cost of a photo restoration?
|
|
xxA. | The price of a photo restoration, retouch or repair varies, depending on
two primary categories — the size of the photo and the extent of damage, or technical work required. Other factors include
monotone vs.color photos, and the number of people in the photo that require attention.
Small, lightly damaged, monotone photos with a single person are $32.99.
With increasing size and damage, the cost increases. Read more.
|
|
xxQ6. | What size photo can be restored?
|
|
xxA. | Photos or documents of any size can be restored. I have worked on
locket-sized photos (very small) and poster sized prints (3 ft. X 2 ft.). Larger images can also be handled.
|
|
xxQ7. | How does restoration differ from retouching?
|
|
xxA. | There is no set definition. Some consider restoration to be a form of
retouching. For my purposes, photo restoration is repairing damage to a photo, and photo retouching is changing what is in
the photo. Examples.
|
|
xxQ8. | Can you add a person to a photo, or remove an object or person from a
photo?
|
|
xxA. | Yes, this is a form of photo retouching. Adding a person requires that
the customer provide a suitable photo to use. Removing a person from a photo can be easy, or very technical, depending on
where the person is in the image.
|
|
xxQ9. | What file formats are best?
|
|
xxA. | Depends on the intended use. For image files that will be used on a web
page or another digital form, Jpg (or Jpeg) is my preferred format. Gif files are also commonly used. For prints, the
industry standard is Tif (orTiff) files. Many local photo printers prefer jpg files. Be sure to apply no compression.
|
|
xxQ10. | What is the best resolution for scanning a photo?
|
|
xxA. | The minimum resolution to scan an original is 300 ppi, the industry
standard for print-quality images. If the image is intended for website or email use, the resolution can be reduced after
the work is done. If the image is to be enlarged, it is best to scan at 600 ppi or higher, so that only original pixels
are used (rather than computer generated additional pixels).
|
|
xxQ11. | Can a photo be enlarged?
|
|
xxA. | Yes, once the image is in the computer, it can be resized to larger or
smaller. If enlargement is planned, it is best to scan the image at higher resolution. See the previous question (#9)
also.
|
|
xxQ12. | Can black & white photos be colorized?
|
|
xxA. | Yes, black and white photos can be colorized in the computer. See an example. Photos can also be
tinted to classic sepia tone or other antique appearance.
|
|
xxQ13. | Can water damaged photos be restored?
|
|
xxA. | Yes, water damaged photos are restorable. See examples.
(This link leads to an external site. Scroll down on the page at this link to find the Service Work Portfolio. Click on the
titles to read the descriptions. Use the back arrow on your browser to return to this page).
|
|
xxQ14. | Can I send you a scanned image file to work on?
|
|
xxA. | Yes, although my services include professional scanning, I can work from
an image file that was scanned elsewhere and delivered on disc, USB drive, or by the Internet. See questions Nos. 9 and
#14, also.
|
|
xxQ15. | Can the restored photo be delivered on a disc or on the Internet
rather than as prints?
|
|
xxA. | Although most customers request prints, the restored or retouched photos
can be delivered electronically, on disc or by Internet. See the previous question (#13) also.
|
|
xxQ16. | How are vintage documents restored?
|
|
xxA. | Vintage document restoration uses the same techniques as photo
restoration. Completed images can be laser printed on a variety of papers. Examples.
|
|
xxQ17. | If a restored image is damaged, does the work need to be done
again?
|
|
xxA. | As long as the restored image file is available on disc, just have a new
print made.
|
xxReturn to About