Services...

Photo restoration / Digital imaging

We have a passion for photography and the preservation of our photographic heritage.

Our software currently includes Adobe Photoshop CS5. We've been using Photoshop since 1994. We have Nikon and Epson scanners and latest generation Epson inkjet printers using UltraChrome pigment inks.

Your original might be a photographic print, it might be a negative of any size, or a colour slide. In the following case it was a print which was torn completely in two.

Source: Clark family collection

more examples...

Our own printers can only handle up to A3+ (329 x 483 mm) but that doesn't restrict us. Recent work has involved output ranging from small 100 X 150 mm paper prints through to 740 X 530 mm printed on canvas.

Why restore old photos...

• To preserve
Your old photos will continue to deteriorate even if kept in a good environment. Digitising them gives you a version that will last forever if properly stored.

• To repair
Tears and scratches, fading, fungi and dirt will sometimes spoil an old photo. We've also repaired old photos that have been written over with a pen.

• To display
You might have photos in old albums which were printed very small and the negatives are long gone. You may want to print, frame and hang a larger version on your wall.

• To share
The old family photo album lives in one place, and can only be seen by other family members when they visit whoever looks after the album. Once stored digitally, images can be shared via CDROM, DVD, email or your personal web site.

Q&A

Q: You're in the Wairarapa and I'm in Auckland, how can we get our photo to you?
A: We accept photographs either delivered by hand or by signature required courier. If it's in a frame behind glass, remove it from the frame and send only the photograph.

Q: Can you work from digital files sent as email attachments?
A: We prefer to make our own scans, and normally work with file sizes too large to email. But we'll look at what you send us and let you know whether we can meet your expectations from that. After you make contact, we'll give you advice about how to prepare the image for sending.

Q: What is the process of getting a job done?
A: It's as follows...
1. We look at your original photo and discuss your needs.
2. We give you a firm quote.
3. We scan the old photo, do the restoration, then send you a proof of the end result for your approval.
4. If you're happy, we make you the final print and invoice you. If you're not happy you don't pay for the restoration work.
5. You will also receive digital files on a CDROM in both Photoshop and JPEG formats.

Q: What assurance do I have of the quality of the end result.
A: Firstly, if you aren't happy with the work on seeing the proof, you owe us nothing for that work. Secondly, all prints will be made using papers and inks that will last for generations to come. We currently use Epson archival matte paper and ultrachrome inks. See the link below for independent research about the lasting quality of these prints.

Q: How will the end result and my original photo be returned to me?
A: They will either be returned by hand if you are local, or by signature required courier.

Q: I'm scanning and restoring my own photos. Can you give me advice or help with this if I have a specific question?
A: More people should be doing this and we encourage it. Good on you. Yes, we'll try to help – just drop us an email and we'll do our best.

Links...
Research about the print permanence - Wilhelm Imaging Research.
(We currently use Epson R800 and R1800 printers)