This 1950s photo spent almost 40 years folded up in a purse. Quite badly damaged, but fortunately, no facial details of this family were missing. For those that don't intend to print the photo for hard copy, but require only digital copies for family history files, this is an ideal way to do it and include those images previously thought too poor to be worth saving.

    

This was a very poor and under-exposed photograph, from the 1930s. The results were pretty good, and in certain circumstances if the definition is high enough, they can be enlarged as well. More on that below ...

        

A lovely family heirloom was this Victorian locket, containing a very dull and yellowed thumbnail-sized image of a man behind a very discoloured glass. Just how handsome he was became clear after scanning it many times the original size, and then processing the image as normal. The better than expected result is only shown here at 50% size!.

    

Another massively over-exposed, this photo must have been a big disappointment to this little girl's mum and dad when it was taken in 1939. I know this to be so .. for this is my own mum.

     

An example of how a small print, seen here around actual size, from a Box Brownie type camera can be improved and enlarged at the same time. The little girl of 9 sitting on the chair in the image above is now around 20 when this was taken some 11 years later around 1950.

    

This charming photo dating from around the time just after the First World War is a typical studio photo of that time, then reproduced onto a postcard for family to send to friends and relatives, often at Christmas time to relatives abroad. It shows very well how processing the photo can reveal detail of costume and even jewellry not suspected before. In some cases, peices can be more easily identified for family history purposes.

    

Another one in the same vein, from about 1911, but this young lady was much more badly marked as well as being faded and overexposed. The marks have been largely removed, and the border reformed and defined as well as adding a decorative edging. The improved contrast shows well in the girl's dress and her facial features.

    

A good example of a photo that really only needed the contrast improved, perhaps taken for this man's retirement, where a studio photographer would be invited to the home. Taken around 1945, just at the end of the Second War. Dress patterns, watch chains, all come up wonderfully well with some judicious processing.

  

A classic family group photo, from the 1930s, damaged at the corners, showing quite a few scratches, and an intrusive deep orangy colour.

Military and uniform photos can be especially satisfying to improve, and often show up previously unrealised badges of rank, regimental insignia, decorations and other details. Any extraneous marks can be removed, such as numbers, or ink or pen marks that may have been someone's indication of where their forefather stood, as was the case here. The man outlined on the far right had originally been marked with a large arrow in pen ink, all now removed. In this photo of 1914, right at the start of the First War, these men are training to be machine gunners. Experts may even be able to now tell what make of machine gun is shown here.

    

A particularly successful restoration of this photo of a Royal Marine taken in a studio in 1941. Being from an RAF service family, and having had links with the Royal Navy as well as the army, I especially like to do military photos. I'm familiar with and understand service protocols with regard to uniforms, badges of rank, decorations and awards.

    

Here, we have an over-exposed studio portrait of the 1930s of a tram inspector, that has been restored for contrast, had the edges and corners tidied up, and then very lightly colour tinted. Photo tinting was all the rage over 50 years ago, before colour film became more affordable, and many people bought the tints and did the job themselves. Here, it can be done very carefully digitally, with excellent results.

    

And for our final examples, we show the restoration of faded colours. Do you have any of those classic Kodak Instamatic photos of the 1970s where colours have faded. In this case, the blue and green inks in the printing turned out to be fugitive, and have almost disappeared, leaving almost every photo of that era a with a reddish-orange glow. I can restore them, as seen here, to almost their former glory. Again, it can be done digitally, including removal those annoying thousands of tiny white spots on that era's canvas-effect prints that only show up with scanning.

    

This was taken in the autumn of 1971, nearly 40 years ago. Over time, the colour has likewise gone more and more .... pink! What a fate for such an exalted loco! But ... hey presto, as good as new. In most cases, even background detail can be improved and brought back to life, and when scanned and shown full-screen on a monitor or TV, say via a CD, DVD or USB flash key, the results can be positively stunning. Photos that were previously thought to be irrevocably spoiled, including water damage, can at least be made to be worth saving for posterity and family history.

HOW TO ORDER AN ITEM FOR RE-PROCESSING FROM YOUR COLLECTION There are a couple of points worth remembering if you decide to scan your photo yourself. Your scanner will scan at its default settings unless you alter them yourself. In most cases, default settings will not give good results for repairs. If you've not done so before, now may be a good time to experiment and have a go. Firstly, make it at least full size, ie, choose at least 100% in the size requester. Scan it double size, 200%, if you can, to allow me to give a much better result. Also, the scan resolution is very important too. Scan at a minimum resolution of 300dpi (dots per inch), for basic results, and for smaller photos, like little Box Brownie prints, 600dpi is good. A tiny print, scanned at double or treble size and at 600dpi gives me the best chance for a surprising result. Then send it to me by email, attaching it in just the same way as you would a family photo to a friend, etc. Don't worry about it being a very large file size, my email will handle it. Anything up to 5Mb would be fine. I will acknowledge by email that I have received it okay, and give you an immediate opinion as to whether I can do anything with it, to what extent it may be repaired or improved, and how much it may cost. If you decide to go ahead, I will attempt to restore or revitalise your photo, and then email it back to you so that you can choose how and where to print it. You may decide to print it yourself, or take it on a CD or flash key to a photo processors just like with a digital camera card. Alternatively, you could have your photo/s transferred onto a CD, DVD, or send me your choice of flash key / memory stick, along with the photo/s, and I'll put it on there. I would email you proof copies first so that you can by satisfied by the results and see what you're paying for. Prices start at just £5 for one photo up to postcard size, but proportionately less for more. If you sent half a dozen for basic repairing/restoring, a typical charge would be £25 A typical £5 charge would include improving contrast, repairing corners, removing bad scratches or tears, reforming any border, a certain amount of 'despeckling' and removing any obtrusive spots or stains. Naturally, it is time-consuming, so larger photos or more detailed fine work would cost more. I take payment by sterling cheque, postal order, International Money Order, or cash by arrangement. We're members of the Leicester & Rutland Family History Society, No HO789

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HOW TO SEND ME YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC ITEMS Ideally, scan them and attach in an email, sending one at a time if you prefer. Please be sure to include in your email your full details, ie, name, address, contact phone number, and any special remarks or comments, such as you would like them tinted, or b&w made into sepia, etc. Naturally, if you want me to scan them, that will be reflected in the final cost. I've placed a 'memory checker crib list' at the bottom of this page for you to copy and paste if it's of any help to you. If you're not in a position to scan and would rather send items by post, it may be best to photograph them with a digital camera for yourself anyway, as a safeguard against the vagaries of the Royal Mail. Another ideal way is to take your image/s into your local Print Shop, and tell them what you want to do. Ask them to scan at least 200%, (300% is better for Box Brownie prints, and 600% for lockets), at a resolution of 300 or better. They'll put your photos onto a CD for you and then send me the CD. I'll put your restored photos onto another CD and send that back to you along with your original CD. I can work with a digital photo of your image if it's good and sharp and clear enough. Stand the photo up against a book on a table, and keep the camera on something solid, like another book. Use a macro setting to get in close. Press the shutter very gently. Take some practice ones and delete the ones you're not happy with. Remember to use natural daylight, avoid flash and remember that most photos are reflective so position them where they won't be marred by a reflection of the camera itself or even something behind it. Practice makes perfect ... and costs nothing with a digital camera. And, if all else fails, many folks have a grandaughter or grandson that is a wiz with a camera and emails. Seek their help ... I can also take negatives that you may have in your collection where the print is missing, or re-process negs where the print is lost or damaged beyond repair. But a well-scanned image is easier in the long run, and you don't have to let the original out of your sight. I've recently scanned and improved the tiniest image found in a family Victorian locket. I scanned it at 600% ... six times its real size, and the improvement and detail that came out surprised even myself. If you send items by post, having then scanned them myself, I will return them fairly quickly by Recorded Delivery. Again, please include your full details, but additionally, each photo should be numbered on the back either in pen/pencil or with a sticky label, and a description attached of what the numbered items refer to : eg : Photo 1 of 3 : Family group at table Photo 2 of 3 : Portrait of lady sitting in chair Photo 3 of 3 : Group of 3 soldiers If you wish, place each item in a separate envelope or paper within the larger envelope and write your name and address on it. If an image is not already mounted on stiff card, a piece of stiff card cut to size and inserted in the envelope will help enormously to keep the whole packet rigid. I know it's not always possible to write on the back of a photo, either because there isn't room or there are historic details that shouldn't be defaced, ie with a postcard or family portrait made as a postcard. When I receive them, I will either email or telephone you to confirm I have them, and what was in the packet, and to further discuss your requirements. It may also help if you indicate in your letter what may be the best time for me to call, and of course, not forgetting your telephone number. But in the first instance, please do just email me, rather than sending your material blind. It's always good to talk. I look forward to hearing from you, and surprising you by what can be done with precious images thought lost or beyond repair.

A SUGGESTED CRIB LIST OF REQUIRED DETAILS to copy and paste, and print or email NAME : ADDRESS: phone number/s: and best time to call email address: Photo 1 title : description Photo 2 title : description any special requirements or instructions resizing or enlarging : sepia or b&w : removal of items : other alterations BACK TO THE HOME PAGE