Step 1 - Scan original photo - A 40 year old photograph in an oval matte has faded from exposure to sunlight and aging of the photographic surface. Note difference in exposed area vs. covered area. (2 minutes)
PHOTOGRAPHIC RESTORATION
There are numerous services on the Web which will take your old photo collections, scan them, automatically restore color and contrast, and return them to you on a CD or DVD. This is a relatively inexpensive and effective way to convert and preserve your boxes of photos. Memorabilis Photography & Imaging does not perform this type of service.
Photographic restoration is for those irreplaceable heirloom photos which have become damaged by either passive aging or active damage such as tearing or folding. Restoration is an hourly service and is therefore recommended for precious individual prints, not collections. All examples shown are actual restorations which we have performed. See pricing at the bottom of this page.
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Step 1 - Scan original photo - A 40 year old photograph in an oval matte has faded from exposure to sunlight and aging of the photographic surface. Note difference in exposed area vs. covered area. (2 minutes) |
Step 2 - Automatically restore color - Utilizing PhotoShop, color is restored displaying the degree of color loss from the original and the fading under the matte. (30 seconds) | Step 3 - Hand retouch matte areas - In order to achieve even color, the area under the matte must be restored to match the exposed area. The owner wanted extensive restoration to "like new" condition. Discoloration in the lace veil had to be done on individual threads, by hand, under 600% magnification. (4 hours) | Step 4 - Final adjustments and retouching - With all areas of the photo balanced, final color adjustments are made and remaining flaws are hand retouched out of the photo. Original photo was a wallet size, restoration was printed at 8x10. (30 minutes) |
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Step 1 - Scan original photo - A 60+ year old wallet size photograph had been kept in an album which did not have acid-free pages. Numerous fingerprints and handling damages were apparent in addition to the image having faded to near black. (2 minutes) |
Step 2 - Automatically restore contrast - Utilizing PhotoShop, contrast is restored displaying the damage from acid paper and handling. (30 seconds) | Step 3 - Hand retouch damage areas - Scratches, fingerprints, and missing emulsion are hand restored. The owner was not seeking full restoration, just visibility of the subjects. (25 minutes) | Step 4 - Final adjustments - With repairs complete, final adjustments are made to the exposure bringing out lost details in the background. Restoration was printed at 8x10. This only known photo of these subjects at this age is now restored and preserved for future generations. (10 minutes) |
Restoration is charged at $32 per 1/3 hour (20 minutes) with a minumum charge of $32. The "average" restoration can be completed for the minimum charge.
An initial estimate is provided on receipt of the image(s), and the estimate is not exceeded until progress is inspected by the owner and additional charges are approved.
If additional restoration beyond the initial estimate is not desired, the restored image(s) on CD or DVD will be returned.
Images can be uploaded to the photofinisher of your choice - we recommend Shutterfly.com or MPix.com - at no charge.
Restoration via scanning can be accomplished from prints up to 8"x10", slides, negatives up to 8"x10", and transparencies.
Restoration via photo copying (a photo is taken of the original print with studio lighting) for images larger than 8"x10" is $25 extra per image.
Specialty printing and finishing will be quoted on request.