Samuel Curtis Photography

  I take the photos, So you can enjoy the moment 

Photo Restoration

If you think one of your treasured images is beyond repair or restoration, think again and ask someone. Even though detail in a photograph may appear lost, many times, the scanner can detect detail that the human eye misses. Scanning alone will not fix the photograph, additional editing is usually required.
There are many reasons why a photo may need restoring. Physical damage, sunlight damage, fading with time or yellowing. Digital photo restoration is where I take your image, scan it using a high resolution flatbed scanner and repair it via multiple photo editing software. Is it in black and white and you would like it in colour? Not a problem. 
Re-print included to original size or your custom.
If you would like to book a photo of yours to be restored, simply Contact us for more information.
Maximum size that I can currently restore is up to A3  30x42cm .
As described below, we wear protective cotton or vinyl gloves when handling your images, we don't want to damage then more.
Here are some examples of previous work.

What can cause photographs to become damaged?

Unsurprisingly, it quite easy for a photography to become damaged. However, basically there are two types damages; Natural Deterioration and Physical Damage. Not to say, that it's common for older photographs to show both. Most photographs of this day and age are printed on new paper technologies which means this wont happen as easily. For example, those prints that you just cant rip in half due to the poly-laminate coating :).

Natural Deterioration is where a photo shows signs of age through fading, peeling, yellowing or colour shifting.
Most instances of natural deterioration can be resolved, some to near-original. Results vary on a case by case basis.

Physical Damage is where a photography has been physically marked, creased, ripped and badly handled. Sometimes intentionally.
All physical damage can be addressed, the degree of restoration and time to restore depends on each case.
Here are some common restoration samples. Click images to enlarge.

Natural Deteriorations

Faded Image

Typical of CDV and Cabinet cards of the 19th century. They will continue to become lighter, not helped by direct sunlight contact.

Dark Tintypes
Tintype continued developing over the years. It will continue getting darker.
Tintype Flaking
Emulsion (paint/ink)can peel off the metal plate. Most likely caused by the plate not being thoroughly cleaned by the photographer.
Daguerreotype Tarnish
A dag is a silver-coated copper plate. The silver will tarnish, nearly obscuring the image.
Colour Shift
Film and slide colours of the 1950-60s was unstable; different colours within the film would fade at different rates.
Physical Damages
Scratches, Cracks Poor handling practices usually result in damage.
Frame'em, Save'em!
Pencil, Pen, Marks - Names were often written on the front or a child may have decided to draw on the photo. Water and grease from fingertips can also cause marks and effect the image.
Even if a photo is in multiple pieces, they usually can be stitched back together.
Digitally that is..
I don't recommend needle and thread
Missing Pieces
In many cases the missing pieces can be recreated. However, the more that's missing, the harder it is to repair.
In many cases the missing pieces can be recreated. there's never just one problem. Yes, this is the same image as above.
*A Tintype is a photograph taken as a positive on a tin plate. 1875-1975

Member of the Royal Photographic Society, Membership no. 100882