Photo Restoration Blog

Archive for the ‘Photo restoration news’ Category

Sometimes things turn up when you least expect them such as these slides from 1990 i found in my collection. Retro colour slide film. Some gritty images in a low income area, shot in a butchers shop.

Retro slide film Ektachrome 100 ASA Colour

In this case no photo restoration was needed. Just a quick scan for some gritty, charcoal blacks and that slide film character. Just thought id share them, i found them spooky, what do you think?

Hi all

If you are wondering why things have been quite here, you’d be right they have been. I have been busy with The West Surrey Family History Fair. First off getting ready with new printed display materials and planning the stand and then the show itself. It was a great turn out and everyone who stopped by had nothing but praise for the work on show. Those regular readers will note I’ve also teamed up with Your Family History Magazine and have a feature in their Christmas Edition. I think you can pick up a copy from the first of December in any good newsagents.

The Christmas season has just hit and the Wacom tablet and pen will be on fire for the next 7 weeks or so. Recent restoration jobs have been a very small tintype not the “tintype story” I wrote a blog post on but another I picked up at the show. This year is still bringing up surprises, more images stuck to glass than ever, more water damaged images than before and more people struggling with their scanners but I’m always happy to direct them to my scanning and saving guide. Thousands of files and images restored this year and its not even over yet! Keeping up with the social media and blogging during this time is always tricky. You can follow me on twitter @PhotoRepair or stop by the Photo Restoration Facebook Page

Ive been very busy with the wedding retouching too thanks to some very nice folks from different corners of the globe, where i’ve taken over their retouching for them.

All in all I’ve got plenty to be getting on with, so don’t despair go back through the blog and see what interesting tips, tricks and stories you can find.

Neil

Thanks to you all for making 2010 a great photo restoration year and heres looking forward to another challenge packed 2011!

During the last year we have noticed many more photo restoration companies coming on line and the competition is stiffer than ever. With your help we will continue to strive and push forward.

During the past year we have restored some interesting photos, from record attempts in aviation and cycling, historic moments from the Titanic and we have been on TV and on going negotiations for the restoration of some historic war photos.

I personally have some advice for those of you visiting the blog for the first time.  Are wondering how to assess this company as someone who can help restore your photos?

When choosing your restoration company, do the have a land line phone number?, do they only list a mobile or not a all but hide behind a “contact us” web form? No email address is visible? Why is that?

Can you contact your photo restoration company?

If the company is working full time in photo restoration why would they use a “form” for you to contact them. Surely they would be at a workstation restoring photos? Therefore they would have a phone next to them, wouldn’t they?

Be wary of those that don’t have a land line phone number as they are more likely to be part time and are not an expect in photo restoration!

Is the company you are interested in undercutting everyone else you have looked at? More likely they are failing as a business and are desperate to get the work. If they only charge a small amount for their restoration be sure to know where the restoration work is being carried out.

We don't under cut prices, we value our services, watch for those that do, they may be hiding something

Its perfectly possible the work is being farmed out to eastern countries where labor is cheaper. That’s ok if you like the restoration style in this part of the world, which is airbrushed and soft, exaggerated colours and smoothed over skin, so much so it looks like porcelain. Contact is likely to be slower as well and if you need any adjustments to your photo and the time zones are very different be prepared for a long wait for a response.

Sticking with local companies to your country will not only boosts your economy but gives you speed of turn around and workmanship. That is of course if they are a full time restoration artist. Knowing you can contact your artist in working hours and that they respond swiftly to your requests is both reassuring and professional.

I hope to help you all again this year with your continuing photo restoration projects.