Photo Restoration is the art of repairing damaged or faded photographs so that they may be 'restored' to their original condition. In some cases, where the original photograph was taken in less than ideal conditions, it may even be possible to bring up details in the image that you couldn't see before!
Services
Retouching:
All photos received will first undergo the retouching process. Retouching involves enhancing an image without repairing damage or altering the image in detail. Some or all of these techniques may be applied as deemed neccessary;
Photos will be cropped for a clean edge and straightened. Tonal levels may be adjusted as well as brightness and contrast levels. Colour correction applied to correct odd colour casts. Parts of the image sharpened or blurred to draw focus to the subject of the photo.
Restoration:
In addition to retouching, photos undergoing the restoration process will have any unwanted damage repaired. Damage could range from light scratches and dirt to large cracks and tearing. This is the most time consuming part of the process as it is often carried out in a magnified view addressing each mark individually.
Other Services:
- (digital) Hand Colouring. Introduce colour to liven up your black & white photographs.
- Colour Replacement. Change the colour of objects eg. make a red car blue.
- Selective Colouring. eg. Subject in colour on a black & white background.
- Colour Tinting. Give black & white images a sepia cast, or give a scene warmth with a warming filter.
- Alteration / Manipulation. Combine elements of multiple images eg. add an absentee to a group photo. Remove unwanted objects or people from a photo.
- Special Effects. Change the style of your photo with one of many visual effects such as watercolour painting and pencil drawing. If you have an idea let me know and we can discuss it.
- Other, Other Services. If there is another photo editing service you have thought of but don't see listed here, why not ask me if I can do it? Chances are I can but haven't yet added it to the list.
Procedure
STEP 1:
Contact me via email or by the contact form under '
Enquiry' below, specifying the type of work you want done. Attach to the email a low-resolution JPG copy of each photo you want edited. If you do not have access to a scanner to make a copy of you photo/s you may send digital photographs instead. The purpose of the image is so that I can assess the amount of work needed so as to provide an accurate quote, I will not be working on them. If it is a photo restoration it is important that I can see what damage needs to be fixed than.
Step 2:
I will reply to you with a preliminary quote for the work to be undertaken. I may ask for followup information before providing a preliminary quote.
Step 3:
I will ask you to
either scan a high-resolution copy of each of the photos (specific instructions will be provided) and send them to me via email, or , if you don't have access to a scanner, post them to my address which I will supply to you if needed.
Step 4:
Once in posession of your photos, and after seeing the extend of work needed, I will make a final quote. If the quote is accepted it will be fixed at that price and work on your photos will commence.
Step 5:
Once work is completed I will send a low resolution copy of each photo so that you can see that the work has been done to your specifications. I will then ask for payment via bank deposit or paypal. When payment has been received I will send your completed high-resolution photos digitally by email, hosted FTP, or on CD by regular mail (postage costs are not included in quote).
Finished:
The high-resolution digital file that you receive can be taken to a digital print shop to be printed out as many times as you like!
Pricing
A quote will be given before work commences. The cost is determined by an estimation of the work time needed based on a set per hour rate. A general guide price for retouching would be $2 a photo. For restoration of a photo with mild damage $15, medium damage $30, heavy damage $60 or more.
If the job takes less time to complete I will charge less and pass the savings on to you. If the job takes longer than estimated you won't pay more.
