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Photo Restoration FAQs
The following are a list of the most commonly asked frequently asked questions
(FAQs). If you have a question that is not addressed here, please ask me at
george@repair-photo.com and I will answer and add it to the list to share with all
If you have a question that has not been answered please ask..... george@digitalphotoconcept.com
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1) What is digital photo restoration?
Digital photo restoration is a non-destructive process which converts the original, whether it is a print, a 35mm slide or a negative, into a digital file by high resolution scanning. Once the image is scanned the original is left intact and untouched. The digital file is then manipulated using Adobe's CS3 suite on Apple computers. The restoration process can now begin, it is a painstaking process of repairing small groups of pixels individually to bring image back to its original glory. The original photograph is never modified, only digitally copied.
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2) What will it cost?
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer as the damage to each photo varies considerably from photo but estimates are free. However, to permit you to estimate the cost I have broken the restoration costs into 4 classes of repair:
| Class of damage |
Price range |
| Light Damage |
$10 to $20 |
| Medium Damage |
$21 to $49 |
| Heavy Damage |
$50 to $99 |
| Severe damage |
$100 plus |
More information is available here
Send me a copy of the photo and I will be happy to provide you a price.
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3) SATISFACTION GURANTEE. What if I do not like the restoration work?
No problem, don't pay! Yep, if you do not like my work it will not cost you a penny. After I have restored the image I will send you a low resolution copy of the restored image by email, with watermarks, and if you like the image I will make it available for purchase on my store where you can pay by credit card
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4) What do I get back from you?
You will be able to download an electronics image from my online store at time of payment. I will then send you:
* A CD with both the original scan of the photo and the new restored image
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5) How do I send my photo to you?
By Mail - I do not recommend sending your precious photos by mail as there is always the outside chance, no matter how remote that the package may get lost but if you do choose to do this. George Ross's DIGITALphotoconcept does not accept responsibility for photographs in transit. If you live close to Rhode Island I will gladly meet up with you so you can personally pass the photos to me with out using a mailing service.
Step #1 Place your photo in a baggie between 2 pieces of cardboard (cut slightly larger than the image) and tape the edges of the cardboard.
Step #2 Print your name and return address on the cardboard covering just in case it becomes separated from the outer envelope.
Step #3 Use a Photo Mailer or a box. Make sure you include your name, phone number, address, email address and any special instructions you would like carried out. Put this information in the Mailer.
Step #4 Make sure you seal the envelope securely and write, "Photographs DO NOT BEND" on the cover.
Step #5 Write our address on the front and your name and address on the back.
George Ross
DIGITALphotoconcept
17 Roundtable Ct, Richmond, RI 02892
Step # 6 Mail using "Priority Mail", Fed Ex, UPS or any carrier you prefer. These steps help ensure the photo arrives safely and gives you a method of tracking the item.
Once I have received the image it will be stored in a fireproof safe and will be returned via registered mail with the CD of the restored image.
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6)How can I upload photos electronically?
Using my FTP server, files can be uploaded directly to my web site using an FTP tool. If you do not have an FTP tool already installed on your computer then I recommend that you download a free FTP client - I use Filezilla which can be downloaded from http://filezilla-project.org/download.php
FTP is an acronym for File Transfer Protocol and is simply an easy way to transfer a file from your computer to my web site. Scanned file to be restored could range from 5Mb to more that 120MB in size and most email accounts have a 10Mb limit. FTP has no limit.
You require three pieces of information to send a file by FTP:
1) Host: ftp.digitalphotoconcept.com
2) Username: client@digitalphotoconcept.com
3) Password: send me an email at george@repair-photo.com and I will send you the password when you are ready to upload your file
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7) Are there any photographs that cannot be restored?
Most photographs can be brought back to life. Even when there are missing sections of photos I can beg, borrow and steal from other images to create the completed image but when facial detail is completed obliterated, that can be problematic but let's never say never until I have looked at the image. Blurred images will always be blurred and while I have a few sharpening techniques up my sleeve it is not possible to take a blurred image and make it razor sharp but improvements are entirely possible.
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8) Does photo size matter?
The larger the photo the more work is required for two reasons
- there is more real estate to repair. An 8 x 10 images has 4 times the surface are of a 4 x 5 image
- file size, as I prefer to work at 1200DPI for optimum results the file size of a 10 x 8 image will be four times that of a 4 x 5 image which make the process of saving and burning much slower
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9) Can you restore photos from negatives or 35mm slides?
Yes. Using an Epson Perfection V700 Photo scanner I can process both 35mm slide and negatives. A common request is simply to convert 35mm slide or negative to digital files to produce a slide show on a DVD to share with family member. Visit the scanning services section
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10) What type of files ( and filenames ) can be uploaded via FTP?
JPEG, TIFF and PSD
Before you upload, please note that the names of your files should contain only upper- or lowercase letters, numbers, underscores, dashes, and periods, and cannot begin with a period. If a file name includes special characters, you may see an error when you upload or try to view it.
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11) What type of scanner do you use?
Every photo restoration project starts with a high quality scan and these can be captured from virtually any type of photograph, document or artwork of any size from 35mm slides to large format color transparencies and B&W negatives. We use the award winning, top rated, Epson Perfection V700 photo, large format flatbed scanner with top resolution of 6,400DPI dpi at 16bit color output, capable of capturing even the smallest detail and the most minute color variations of an image.
Specifications:
Scanner Type
* Flatbed color image scanner with Epson Dual Lens System and Digital ICE™ Technologies
Photoelectric Device
* Color Epson MatrixCCD™ line sensor
Optical Resolution
* Epson Dual Lens System, 4800 dpi and 6400 dpi
Hardware Resolution
* 4800 x 9600 dpi, 6400 x 9600 dpi with Micro Step Drive™ technology
Maximum Resolution
* 12,800 x 12,800 dpi with software interpolation
Effective Pixels
* 40,800 x 56,160 (4800 dpi), 37,760 x 62,336 (6400dpi)
Color Hardware Bit Depth
* 48-bits per pixel internal, 48-bits per pixel external (External bit depth is selectable to 48 bits depending on the image editing software.)
Grayscale Hardware Bit Depth
* 16-bits per pixel internal, 16-bits per pixel external (External bit depth is selectable to 16 bits depending on the image editing software.)
Optical Density
* 4.0 Dmax
Transparency Unit
* 8" x 10" Transparency Adapter built-in lid with four film holders: 35mm slides (12 frames), 35mm film strips (24 frames), medium format strips 2-1/4", 120/220, 6x20cm (2-6 frames) and 4" x 5" film (2 frames); 8" x 10" film area guide
Buttons
* 1 button; Start
Maximum Read Area
* 8.5" x 11.7" (216 x 297mm)
Light Source
* White cold cathode flourescent lamp
Interface
* Hi-Speed USB 2.0, IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
Scanning Speed
* 4800 dpi high-speed mode: Monochrome 12.3 msec/line; Full color 12.3 msec/line
Reliability
* MCBF - 100,000 cycles
Environment Conditions
* Temperature: Operating 41* F to 95* F (5 to 35*C), Humidity: Operating 10% to 80%, storage 10% to 85% (no condensation)
Power Requirements
* Voltage: AC100 - 120V, Frequency: 50 - 60hz, Power Consumption: 32W
Windows Requirements
* Pentium® III equivalent or higher processor; 256MB RAM (512MB recommended); 350MB HD space (1GB recommended); DVD-ROM drive. USB 1.1 - Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Me, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home Edition/XP Professional, or Windows XP x64 Edition. Hi-Speed USB 2.0: Windows 2000 Professional (with Service Pack 4), Windows XP Home Edition/XP Professional, or Windows XP x64 Edition. IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - Windows Me, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home Edition/XP Professional or Windows XP x64 Edition. (Hi-Speed USB 2.0 recommend for optimum performance). Note: Factory installed, or upgraded from factory installed Windows 98SE.
Macintosh Requirements
* PowerPC® G4 500 MHz or higher with built-in USB; 256MB RAM (512MB recommended); 732MB HD space (1GB recommended); DVD-ROM drive. USB 1.1 - Macintosh OS X 10.2.x - 10.4.x. Hi-Speed USB 2.0: Macintosh OS X 10.2.7 - 10.4.x. IEEE 1394(FireWire) - Macintosh OS X 10.2.x - 10.4.x.
Physical Dimensions
* Width: 12" (308mm), Depth: 20" (503mm), Height: 6" (152.5mm), Weight: 14.5 lb (6.6 kg approx.)
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12) Can I see the results before prints are made?
Absolutely. I will post a proof to a web site for your review before the order is complete, at which point you will be able to give me your feedback and should you want certain aspects of the restoration to be different from my proof I will do everything possible to accommodate your request.
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13) If I scan my own photo, what settings should I use?
The best photo restoration begins with the best possible photo scan. The old adage of "rubbish in, rubbish out" very much applies here. So, if you would like to scan your own print, or will have someone do it for you, please use the following settings:
Resolution: 1200DPI
Photo quality images are, typically, between 240DPI to 300DPI, so, by over scanning to 1200DPI we create a huge canvas which allows the most minute details to be corrected. When the restoration is completed the imaged will be reduced to 300DPI producing wonderfully sharp detail.
The scan must be (RGB) color even if you are scanning a back and white print. Color images are made up of from combinations of the three primary colors (red, green and blue). When I look at the scanned photo in Photoshop CS3, I am able to look at the three color layers, individually, that together make up the composite image ( which is the image that you will have sent me), then I will select the best color layer from which to begin the restoration work. If this sounds like 'gobbledygook' that it probably is :) but the bottom line is set your scanner to color for back and white photos
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