This picture of my grandfather is still in remarkably good condition (I have seen prints, decades newer, in far greater distress) because it has been kept in an album, but it has faded slightly and the edges are damaged.

It also has several obvious cracks,  scratches, abrasions and stains, as well as a multitude of smaller defects not readily apparent at this size.  All of these defects are typical of a print that has not been framed behind glass or otherwise kept in "archival" storage.

About three to four hours were required to clean up this image once it had been scanned.  In this case, I photographed the print because I did not want to handle it any more than absolutely necessary due to its age. In most cases, I would simply use a flat-bed scanner, with sufficient resolution for the size of the final restored print.

I scanned the 4x5 copy transparency at 1800 dpi, so I had all of the resolution I might want.  The original size is a bit under 5x7"; I printed the restored image at 15x21" on canvas.  Framed, it is, in a word, stunning.

Prints in much worse condition as this one can be restored just as successfully, as long as enough of the image has survived.  Missing background usually can be restored by replicating remaining areas, even if some adjustments, such as perspective and contrast, are required.  If critical features are missing, however, little can be done, unless another similar photograph is available.  In that case, it may be possible to "cut-and-paste" with some success.

To be worth restoring, the image should be of very good quality.  Usually, I can achieve a result at least as good as the original, but I really can't do much if it was blurred, out of focus, or poorly composed to begin with.  The better the quality of the image, the more likely it is that the restored image can be printed much larger than the original, as in my example.

I was able to restore another old photograph, this one a portrait of my father and my aunt from 1940, that was torn half-way through, to the middle of dad's nose.  A few pieces were missing along the torn edges, but even so I was able to fill these in with relatively little difficulty.

To restore a print that is dirty or stained is much more difficult and time-consuming than to do one that is merely cracked, scratched, or torn.  A photograph of my grandmother, from 1914, was cracked, scratched, stained, frayed, and weirdly mottled in many places.

In the end, I was able to present my aunt with a completely restored and enlarged print of that image, to go with the one of my grandfather.  I didn't keep track, but it must have taken at least 8 hours, over several days, to clean up that one image.

If you have a treasured photograph that has seen better days, and if you think that the image is worth the cost to have me restore it as I have described at left, please do the following:

Take a picture of the photograph (3 - 6 Megapixels is fine), or scan it if it is not too delicate.  Send me an e-mail at  db_photo@comcast.net, with the digital image attached.  In the e-mail, describe the condition of the print as best you can.

Between the digital picture and your description, I should be able to tell whether or not I would need to photograph it to begin with.  The more delicate the print, the more likely that is.  Also, I should be able to estimate how long it would take to clean up the image once it has been digitized.

I would then reply to your e-mail with a firm price and a statement of work for the complete restoration, including printing on Art Paper or Canvas (same price for either), including a reasonable discount for multiple copies.

The price for restoration will be based on the number of hours that I expect will be required, at a rate of $100/hour.  The price of the prints will be based on their size and quantity.  The rate will be competitive with that charged by people who print digitized images as a commercial service.

If you do not find the amount too breathtaking, and you want me to go ahead, you would then print, sign, and return the quote and statement of work, also specifying the sizes and quantities of prints that you want.  Along with that, of course, you would send your original print to me, carefully removed from any framing, and packaged to prevent any damage during shipping and un-packing.

Please note that I will treat your photograph with the greatest possible care, and I will endeavor to return it to you in a condition no worse than as I received it.  However, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that may occur during shipping or as a result of inadequate packaging. 

Also, if the print is very delicate, some damage may occur as a result of the handling necessary to digitize it.  If I feel that the danger of this is very great, I will inform you of my concern before I begin.  If you want me to proceed even then, I will ask you to sign a waiver, acknowledging that the print is likely to be damaged, and that you will accept full responsibility.

Once the image has been digitized and restored to my satisfaction, I will send a good quality image file, albeit a relatively small one, via e-mail for your approval.  I can and, up to a point will, make minor adjustments to the image if you are not quite satisfied, although it is important to bear in mind that an image on your monitor will not look exactly the same as it will on the final print.