FAQs
BASICS
· WHAT IS PHOTO RESTORATION?
· WHAT IS PHOTO RETOUCHING?
· WHAT IS COLORIZATION?
· WHAT IS COLOR CORRECTION?
· I AM INTERESTED IN HAVING YOU
ORGANIZE A LARGE QUANTITY OF PHOTOS. WHAT WILL YOU DO?
· HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?
· WHAT CAN AND CANNOT BE FIXED?
SUBMITTING IMAGES
· HOW SHOULD I SEND MY PICTURES
TO YOU?
· I AM WORRIED ABOUT SENDING MY ORIGINAL
PHOTO THROUGH THE MAIL – CAN I STILL SUBMIT?
· CAN I SEND SCANS?
· HOW LONG BEFORE I RECEIVE MY RESTORED
PHOTOS?
· HOW MUCH WILL MY PHOTO RESTORATION
COST? HOW DO I PAY YOU?
· WHAT INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD I
SEND WITH MY PICTURES?
· WHAT KIND OF PRINTS WILL I RECEIVE?
· WHAT DO I DO IF MY PHOTO IS COPYRIGHTED?
· WHAT IS YOUR PRIVACY POLICY?
· HOW DO I CONTACT SECOND IMPRESSION
PHOTO?
WHAT
IS PHOTO RESTORATION? (View
Examples)
Precious photos are often damaged by the elements,
neglect, or simply time. Major damage may include large tears
or stains, or portions of the image which are missing completely.
Photo Restoration is the process of repairing major damages such
as these through the use of photo-editing software.
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WHAT IS PHOTO RETOUCHING? (View
Examples)
Oftentimes an image will suffer minimal damage,
which might include fading or color changes, minor discoloration,
shadows or minor stains or tears. While "restoration"
often includes reconstruction of missing parts of an image, "retouching"
usually requires a less intense "cleanup" using the
same techniques as "restoration."
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WHAT IS COLORIZATION? (View
Example)
Colorization is the process of digitally adding
color to a black & white, sepia, or extremely faded image.
Colorization options range from true-to-life to "pop art"
styles.
Alternately, colorized images can also be converted
to black & white or sepia.
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WHAT IS COLOR CORRECTION?
Aging, poor processing, and exposure to sun may
cause colors in your image to fade or distort. Using photo-editing
software, Second Impression Photo can correct this problem.
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I AM INTERESTED IN HAVING YOU ORGANIZE
A LARGE QUANTITY OF PHOTOS. WHAT WILL YOU DO?
If you have boxes of photos or albums that need
to be organized and/or updated, Second Impression Photo can help!
We will digitize all of your images and convert to your choice
of computer image files, DVD slideshow, or published photo albums.
This service is provided by individual quote based on quantity,
condition, and labelling/organization of photographs as well as
desired output.
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HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?
First we digitize your original image using a slide,
negative, or flatbed scanner. In some extreme cases, such as when
the original image is stuck to glass, we may use a copystand to
duplicate the original image. These processes will not cause harm
to the original image. The newly-created digital file is then
manipulated and repaired using photo-editing software. After the
image has been restored, it is printed on archival-quality photo
paper as well as saved in digital format. You will receive your
original print, restored print(s) and digital image (via email
or burned to CD.)
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WHAT CAN AND CANNOT BE FIXED?
What we can do to restore your photograph depends
on the condition of the image you submit.
Here are a few examples of what we can and cannot do to your image.
We can:
-
repair faded, darkened, stained or discolored
images.
-
repair tears and cracks in the image.
-
remove dirt, dust, and spots from your image
.
-
sharpen images.
-
recreate some missing areas caused by tears,
burns, etc.
-
color-correct images damaged by incorrect processing,
fading, time.
-
convert color prints to black & white or
sepia tone.
-
colorize black & white or sepia prints.
- selectively colorize images.
Unfortunately, we cannot always:
- improve all image sharpness caused by blur in original image.
- enlarge small photos to a very large size.
note: camera phone images are very poor quality and will not
restore well.
- remove all grain/sharpen very grainy images.
- restore large missing areas of your image. To help us best
recreate missing images, please include any other images you may
have which represent the missing details, ie. Photos showing missing
faces, places, etc.
- work with copyrighted images without written consent from the
copyright holder. With extremely old images in which the photographer
has gone out of business, we may be able to make an exception.
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HOW SHOULD
I SEND MY PICTURES TO YOU?
There are two basic ways to submit your images:
1. SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY
Scan your images and send to us via email (orders@secondimpressionphoto.com)
or burned to CD to: Second Impression Photo, Holly Piper-Smith,
Proprietor, 211 S. Walnut St., Milford, DE 19963
Guidelines for scanned images:
-
Please scan or have scanned in jpeg format at
600 dpi or higher.
Greater resolution and file size will result in more detail
available to us to restore.
-
Please scan all images in RGB color, even if
they are black & white images.
-
If you are unable to scan your own image, visit
your local copy center for assistance, or send original image
via US mail (see below.)
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-
Please package your original image carefully
between two pieces of cardboard
or similar protection to ensure its safe transit. The cardboard
should be a bit larger than the largest photo. Mark package
“Do Not Bend” and “FRAGILE” as applicable.
-
Second Impression Photo highly recommends purchasing
insurance/tracking for your package. Second Impression Photo
is not responsible for damaged or missing shipments. We will
always ship back your original work in a responsible manner.
-
If your image is stuck in/to its frame, please
do not attempt to remove it. Send the framed image, making sure
to use extra padding and care in packaging the image for shipment
and mark “FRAGILE.”
-
Please do not send scans of slides or negatives.
Please send originals.
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I AM WORRIED ABOUT SENDING MY ORIGINAL
PHOTO THROUGH THE MAIL – CAN I STILL SUBMIT? CAN I SEND
SCANS?
Yes. Please see guidelines for submitting electronic images.
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HOW LONG BEFORE I RECEIVE MY
RESTORED PHOTOS?
Turn time is typically 7-10 days from our receipt of your package
unless we are required to repair major damage or large quantities,
in which case we will contact you with an estimated turn time.
Please allow us more time during rush season (October through
Christmas).
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HOW MUCH WILL MY PHOTO RESTORATION
COST? HOW DO I PAY YOU?
At present, pricing is by individual quote and depends upon the
extent of damage to the image. We will not begin any work until
you agree to the quoted fee.
PayPal and money order are accepted.
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WHAT INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD
I SEND WITH MY PICTURES?
The more information you can provide us, the better job we can
do restoring your image.
If you are mailing your original photos, please use the Print
Order Form, providing us contact information, number of images
in the package, payment information, and detailed instructions
for services desired.
If you are emailing files, use the Email Order Form or provide
all necessary information in the body of your email.. Please provide
as much detail as possible regarding what you would like done.
Please use a separate order form for each image.
If there are specific areas that you want enhanced -- or areas
to tone down -- please provide descriptions. We can also work
within your pricing guidelines to restore an image within your
budget.
If no detailed information is provided, we will treat your image
with basic restoration service (scan, sharpen, crop, brighten,
and print.)
Please do not write instructions on the back of the originals.
COLORIZING: Please be specific color preferences
(ex. “true to nature”, “50’s style colorized”,
etc.) and give all details needed regarding hair and skin tone,
clothing and background. Make sure you tell us if you want a color
original converted to black-and-white, or a sepiatone image made
from a black-and-white.
COMPOSITE OF TWO OR MORE IMAGES: Provide detailed
instructions. Make sure to indicate individuals to be cut or added
to the picture, the primary source picture, and additional source
pictures. Please send any similar pictures you have which will help
us reconstruct missing details in original image.
WHAT KIND OF PRINTS WILL I RECEIVE?
Unless otherwise requested, you will receive one (1) 4"x6"
archival print, one low-resolution digital image (suitable for
email, blogging, etc.) and one high-resolution (print resolution)
digital image, as well as your original submitted image.
Please contact us for info on large transfers to DVD slideshow.
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WHAT DO I DO IF MY PHOTO IS
COPYRIGHTED?
Duplication of copyrighted images without express consent from
the copyright-holder is illegal. Photos taken by a professional
photographer, such as family or school portraits, are often copyrighted.
If your original image has a copyright symbol, it is your responsibility
to obtain a Release Waiver signed by the copyright holder allowing
the original to be reproduced. The Release Waiver must accompany
any copyrighted original that you send. If the copyright holder
is either no longer in business or cannot be located, please provide
your signed statement indicating that you are unable to locate
the copyright holder and that you will be solely responsible for
the images to be reproduced. Second Impression Photo will not
be held responsible for copyright infringement.
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WHAT IS YOUR PRIVACY POLICY?
Second Impression Photo will not share your personal information,
however, your name and address will be archived with your backup
file for our reference and for your ease should you desire future
reprints. We will not keep any financial information on file.
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HOW DO I CONTACT SECOND IMPRESSION PHOTO?
By e-mail: email@secondimpressionphoto.com
By phone at 302-355-9484.
By U.S. Mail:
Second Impression Photo, Holly Piper-Smith, Proprietor
211 S. Walnut St., Milford, DE 19963 USA
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We are more than happy to answer any specific questions you
may have about your images.
Feel free to email us at mail@secondimpressionphoto with ideas
or special requests.
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