Photo Restoration Co - NEWS

Six Whole Months

Six. They say that time flies when you are having fun and boy I must have been having fun. It was 6 months ago that the Photo Restoration Co was born. The website was launched in May as I was slowly working my way through a couple of personal restoration projects. The slow trickle of business I expected didn’t happen, instead on day three I woke to find an inbox full of lovely people looking to have photos restored or coloured (I think you’d call it a torrent). In the first month of business I received a letter from a lady who doesn’t have the internet but had heard about “the amazing things I do to photographs”. She enclosed the only copy of a very old photograph with specific instructions to “get on with it!”

The Photo Restoration Co at Family Tree Live

Other than spending time working on all of your lovely photos, The Photo Restoration Co is now booked to attend Family Tree Live in April next year at Alexandra Palace. I know a few of you are attending already. For those that weren’t aware I will have the high resolution scanner on the stand so if you bring your photos along you can receive a free no obligation quote to have your photos restored or coloured and you get to take a look at the ever growing book of before and after comparisons.

We also got the nod this month that The Photo Restoration Co. was selected by Feedspot as one of the Top 35 Photo Editing Blogs on the web. Ok… so I don’t write much, I don’t consider myself a wordsmith… but my business is visual images – so that’s what you get. Thank you Feedspot!

Our Facebook page is self propelling itself and has surpassed 1000 followers and is home to a community that aren’t necessarily looking to have their images restored or coloured they simply enjoy the photos. Instagram has just over 300 and is growing daily.

There we are… I have had the opportunity to work on some truly amazing photos from all over the world, the satisfaction of knowing I have made sure they last for future generations, the lovely feedback received from clients, the amazing backstories I get to hear, they all make this a very enjoyable process. So THANK YOU too all my customers… for your custom and for the trust with your precious photos. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the next 6 months.

Nick.

Family Portrait Restoration

Family Portrait Restoration

Stephen got in touch via Facebook Messenger – He posted down a very sorry looking photo that was urgently in need of repair. The creases and marks took a while to sort out and the large missing area towards to the bottom left of the image required some reconstruction. There were concentrated areas of fading which required rebuilding and blending also. Quite a varied job for such a small photo. The deep sepia tones really suit this image so they just had to stay.

The quality of the scan means we can enlarge this image – it will double in size when printed. Thanks for your custom Stephen, your prints will be with you soon.

Photo Colourisation Service

Photo Colourisation

Kerry is looking to create a collage from a few old family photos. She supplied us with a selection of black and white photos. This one is of her Grandfather. We’ve spent a while spicing up those old images with a splash of colour. Since these are going to be displayed together colours have been selected that might not be true to life but will really stand out when viewed as a collection.

Photo Colourisation ServicePhoto Colourisation Service

Stay tuned for more posts on this! If you have a project you’d like us to get involved in don’t hesitate to get in touch using the Request a Quote button!

Water Damaged Photo Repair

Water Damaged Photo Repair

Indira got in touch after this photo of Jade was damaged due to a burst pipe. It had survived 19 years so I was tasked with getting it back to A1 condition so it could last a few more. The damage was fairly large but apart from a fingertip it had avoided any complex areas. To ensure it will last many more years a print was produced on Fujifilm 300gsm museum rough paper.

Water damaged Photo repairWater Damaged Photo Restoration

If you have a photo that has suffered water damaged, get in touch and we’ll let you know what can be done!

Wedding Photo Restoration

Wedding Photo Restoration

Tony is fairly local so I popped over to pick up his photograph that needed restoration. This was taken on his grandparents wedding day in Ilkley, Yorkshire in 1922. It’s amazing that it survived nearly 100 years in this condition

It was incredibly sharp in places, let down by some fairly intense silvering (which is a form of photo damage to silver-based emulsions caused by humidity and air pollution) and the standard fading. On closer inspection there were lots of marks that needed cleaning up. This took a while to complete but the difference is night and day.

Unrestored Wedding PhotoRestored Wedding Photo

There is a print on the way on 300gsm museum rough paper and I’m really looking forward to seeing the side by side comparison in print!

Family Photo Restoration

Family Photo Restored

This is the second photo Paola sent to be scanned, restored enlarged and printed. The damage resembled most of the photos in my own family collection of photos. Following a high resolution scan the standard wear and tear needed attention. Once completed the proof was signed off and an enlargement ordered.

Old Family photo RestorationOld Family photo Restoration

Thank you again for your custom Paola.

Photo Restoration Service UK

Photo Reconstruction

Paola made contact with a couple of images that needed some attention, this is the first. Cut to fit a heart shaped frame and then subjected to the perils of sunlight! With some cloning and reconstruction the image was built up to photo size again. Adjustment to levels and a small amount of hand colouring before sharpening finished this image.

Family Photo RepairFamily Photo Repair

The high resolution scan meant the image could be enlarged – we achieved a print 2.5 times the original size printed on 300gsm Museum Rough paper – a real quality look and feel!

If you have a treasured memory you would like restored then please don’t hesitate to get in touch…

Photo Repair Service

Water Damaged Photo

This image is from Donna, even the before image looks better than the scan we had to deal with. It had seen water damage which warped and distorted the image. The photo itself had cracked and was beginning to flake off… I think this was a “just in time” restoration.

Once scanned in high resolution I had quite the task repairing all the cracks and other damage. Once complete it was sent for print and was a fantastic surprise for Donna’s partner. Thanks again for your custom Donna!

Colour Photo RestorationColour Photo Restoration

Thanks again for your custom Donna!

Hand Coloured Portrait Photograph

Colouring Characters

Paul got in touch looking to brighten up this photo. He supplied a great quality scan which made the process very easy. I made a quick adjustment to the levels, touched up a couple tiny marks and had a play with the sharpening before getting stuck into the hand colouring. I really love the character in this one.

Old Family Photo ColourisationHand Colouring photographs

If you have a precious family photo you would like spruced up, why not get in touch!

Old Photographs Restored

Christmas 1937!

This 82 year old photo was given to Louisa who sent it by post for a high resolution scan and a well deserved repair. Despite the best of care this well loved photo has suffered a few cracks and tears. The photo features Louisa’s grandmother and the rest of her class at school… in 1937! I used a few different sharpening techniques to bring out the details which really made the image pop! Try the slider below to see the before and after!

Christmas Photo RestorationSchool Photo Restoration

If you have a well loved family photo you would like restored please get in touch using the button below or pop along to our Facebook and have a chat!

Wedding Photograph Colourisation

Wedding Photo Colourisation

On the 2nd March 1957 Barbara Shorey married Peter Whiteland at the All Saints Church Belvedere in the London Borough of Bexley.

This incredibly well looked after photograph from the day was sent to me by their grandaughter Amy for colourisation. Amy also happened to have a wonderful little card listing the details of colours and flowers featured which made the final result a little more authentic

Old Photo Colourisation ServicePhoto Colourisation - Wedding

Thank you for letting me work on your precious family photograph Amy!

Old Photo Restoration

Coach Trip

A glimpse into the away days of the past. This photo had not weathered well. Multiple creases growing in severity as the years pass by. Slowly bits of important image data that cannot easily be reconstructed start to disappear. It’s important to catch it as soon as you can. This one was in for the full treatment. After an in-depth restoration it has been tastefully coloured with respect to vintage colours and tones.

Photograph Repair ServiceOld Photo Restoration

Do you have a photo in a similar condition you’d like restored or coloured?