PHOTO RESTORATION
YOUR MEMORIES BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE
WHAT IS PHOTO RESTORATION?
Your photos, negatives, or slides may be cracked, faded, water damaged, or torn, but chances are they are not down for the count. We can carefully scan your memories and fix the cracks and tears. We can even bring back much of the color that may have been lost over the years. The result is a new repaired print and a digital file that you can save for future generations. Your original photo is not altered in any way throughout the process so you will get back what you bring us. The photo restoration process will result in a new print being made.
HOW DOES PHOTO RESTORATION WORK?
1. DIGITIZING
First, bring your photos, negatives, or slides to our studio and drop them off. We then either scan or photograph them using a high resolution camera. This gives us high quality digital files to work with so that we can begin the actual restoration process. Nothing about your original will be altered during this process.
2. RESTORATION
After we have digitized your images the files are then put on the computer for restoration.They are imported into professional photo editing software where we will correct colors, brightness, clarity, and digitally restore your image to the extend that we’re able. This is the stage where cracks, tears, stains, etc. will be digitally removed.
3. PRINTING
Once the restoration is finished we save the corrected files and give youcopies. The high resolution files can be used for printing of any sort. We can also create web resolution files that are ready for emailing to family or sharing on social media. At this point we will also make new prints for you of the restored image. You will get back your original when you pick up the prints.
OUR DIGITIZING EQUIPMENT
EPSON 11000XL SCANNER
The Epson Expression 11000xl photo scanner is an oversized (about 12×18″) flatbed scanner that can be used for photos, negatives, slides, and documents. The large scanner bed allows us to fit more on it at a time as well as gives us the ability to scan larger items that would otherwise have to be photographed thereby, maximizing resolution. We use it with Silverfast professional scanning software to ensure the best clarity and colors.
NIKON SUPER COOLSCAN 9000 ED
The Nikon Super CoolScan 9000 ED is one of the finest film scanners out there. Where the best resolution is required this is the scanner we use. It will scan both 35mm and medium format negatives, slides, and transparencies and particularly excels at black and white negatives. If you’re wanting larger prints made from your film this is the go to. It isn’t fast, but it offers scans of the highest quality.
NIKON Z7 MIRRORLESS CAMERA
The Nikon Z7 is a top of the line 46 megapixel digital mirrorless camera. As a general rule we photograph any pieces larger than approximately 12×18″. The Z7 has more resolution than you are likely to truly need and does a great job with color. We pair it with a professional quality Nikkor lens and always shoot on a tripod to maximize the detail in your artwork.
COLOR MANAGEMENT
- Monitors– We use industry leading Eizo ColorEdge monitors.
- Image Editing – We use Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, both industry standard professional image editing programs.
- Monitor Profiling – We use X-Rite i1 equipment for proper monitor calibration.
- Camera Profiling – We use the Calibrite ColorChecker Digital SG to build custom camera profiles for art reproduction.
OUR MATERIALS
ARCHIVAL CANVAS AND PAPERS
We use the highest quality canvas that we have been able to find, and that’s Lyve canvas from Breathing Color. It is an archival certified, 19 mil, 450 gsm canvas that is OBA free yet still maintains a bright white point. Everything looks great printed on it and when properly cared for it will last a lifetime (or multiple). The print is coated with a protective varnish that contains UV inhibitors to increase it’s life. We also offer a variety of archival and non archival papers to choose from.
ARCHIVAL PIGMENT INKS
We use only brand name (no third party), archival, pigment based inks. Our printers use 12 different inks for a wide color gamut (that just means it can produce a wide range of colors). The inks have been tested to last longer than any of us are going to be alive. The resulting prints are something you can pass down to younger generations. (See: What does archival mean?)
PHOTO RESTORATION COST
Photo restoration work is done at a rate of $100 per hour and most restoration jobs are done in 30 minutes or less. We are always happy to look at your photo and let you know what improvements we can make and how long we expect it to take. This is a one time cost and you can make as many prints as you want from that point forward without the need for any further restoration work. See some more examples of photo restoration work below.
