Photo Restoration – Heavy

Continuing our series on photo restoration, light restoration and medium restoration, our last example is when ‘heavy’ restoration work is required.

Fastframe have been doing photo restoration for many years. Along with our own skills we’ve been excited to see the technology also improve, and it’s amazing what can be done to restore photographs today. Last year we also bought a fantastic wide format photographic printer that allows us complete control of all our customers printing needs. Being able to colour match and print your photographs in the original colours is something that we pride ourselves on; the smallest changes can have a dramatic impact.

Heavy Photo Restoration

Photo restoration can range from a few small ‘tweaks’ to remove minor blemishes, to significant repairs. The photo we have used for this post is a perfect example of what we would categorise as ‘heavy photo restoration’. Clearly the differences between the two photo’s are significant as there has been a considerable amount of work done on the image in general and to specific sections. When you compare the two photo’s the restoration is obvious and extreme, so let’s break it down the process a little so you can see more clearly the steps involved.

Repairing cracked photographs

We have repaired the cracks (most obviously on the right, towards the top). These cracks appear when the image lifts away from the paper; most frequently when a photo has been folded or creased. Always store photographs flat (ideally separated by ‘acid free’ tissue paper). This will also help reduce the likelihood of damage from scratches and creasing.

Restoring faded photographs

We enhanced the faded areas of the photograph. Water, heat or sun exposure causes photographs to fade (in the original image these sections have discoloured to a yellow colour). We’re unsure what caused these yellow sections to occur on this photograph, however as the photo was taken circa 1929, it’s very existence is remarkable and something our customer wanted desperately to ‘preserve’.

Restoring facial features in damaged photo’s

We also restored the facial features on the young boy (standing far right). His face was moderately obscured by cracks, discolouration and general wear and tear. The restoration is multi-layered and the final result is dependant upon each of these elements.

Finally, what pulls all of these changes together is the overall colour of the restored photograph. From looking at the original you’d expect it to have been sepia when printed. However, that’s not the case, it’s the ageing of the photograph that’s changed the ‘white’ area’s to brown. When it was first printed, the photograph was black and white.

An example of the changes made to the picture can be seen in this video.

If you have any photo’s that you would like to have restored you can upload a copy to our site or drop into the store so that we can discuss your needs. We also have a high quality scanner that can convert your photos (of virtually any size) to digital images.