Preserving the past . . .

By Kevin Winkler

Human beings are visual creatures and restoring old or damaged photographs is a great way to help the past have more meaning to younger generations. It's a way to preserve the past time for the future, to show the world to come that these people, things, animals, were real, that they had meaning, that they were valued and loved by others.

Old photos provide a history lesson. When the photo was taken, the subject meant something to someone. Perhaps the event was something grand, like a wedding; or maybe it was simply a snapshot of a beloved pet. Regardless, that photo tells a story and, when possible, the story must be preserved.

We invite you to let us help you bring those memories back to life. We invite you to let us use our extensive education, professional software, technical knowledge and creativity to capture those fading memories and bring them back to their full glory, so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.


Visit us today for details about our services and a free, no obligation quote.

Best Photo Repair

Scanning . . .

 

 

by Kevin Winkler

 

Somewhere in your home, there’s probably a box of old photographs you want to have restored. However, unless you know how to use your scanner correctly, the final quality of the digital image can be poor, which will cause a lot of frustration when attempting to have the images brought back to life by a professional.

 

If you want to reclaim your memories, then it’s worth taking the time to scan them correctly, before attempting to have them restored.

 

 

 



 

 

 

Scanners all work in essentially the same way; they convert photos into a digital format.

You don't need to buy the most expensive, top-of-the-line scanner; an inexpensive flatbed scanner will do the job nicely.

Please note:

 

Don't try to fix your photos before you scan them; attempts to scrub them clean will only make the damage worse. Just wipe off the dust with a soft brush. Once scanned, a restoration artist can clean up all the scratches and other blemishes in a photo editing program. Don't cut your photos, either. They can be cropped digitally once they're scanned and restored.

 

If using a flatbed scanner, you place the picture face down on a glass surface and a scanning head moves across the photo, capturing the image, which is then sent to your computer. Be sure to use the scanning software to "highlight" or "select" just the image, otherwise the entire bed of the scanner will be included in the final digital image.

 

Most scanners come with automatic settings, which are a nice shortcut. These settings allow the picture to be scanned at the highest resolution. Of course, the highest resolution might not be necessary, so customizing the settings becomes more important. 

If your goal is just to preserve your photos, a minimum of 300 dpi should be fine, although I recommend higher settings if you want a small image restored and enlarged. For example, if you want an old wallet-sized image restored and enlarged to an 8 x 10, you will need a higher resolution to create a more professional looking portrait. For enlargements, you will want to scan images up to 600 or higher dpi.

If the photo is in black and white, I recommend scanning in color. The color scan option will give the restoration artist a greater ability to manipulate the image. If you scan in greyscale, some important information can be lost during the scanning process and limit the "richness" of the final, restored image.

Now that you've got your scanner set and your photos ready, the next logical step is to do the actual scanning.

Place the image face down on the glass. (You can hit the "preview" button to check that your photo is clean and positioned correctly before scanning and saving the image)

After you've scanned a photo, save it as a TIFF or JPEG file. A TIFF is higher quality image, but a JPEG will make it easier to e-mail the photos. When you save, do not compress the photo. You'll sacrifice image quality for file size, and the final results will look soft and lacking detail.

Now it's time to clean up those photos. You can find a lot of photo restoration artists online, but, of course, we are the best . . . and our services start at just 15.99.

Feel free to visit us today for a free quote.

Best Photo Repair

 

 



The Cost of Photo Restoration . . .

By Kevin Winkler


Contrary to popular belief, digital photo restoration and repair is not about computer magic; it's about art, experience, knowledge, hard work, and, dare I say, love.

Working from an original photo or print, we recreate your photo in digital format (or use your digital file) and then transform the portrait back to its original state . . . or as close as it can possibly get to its original state.

Or, if you prefer, we can manipulate your image until it's something entirely different.

Either way, we use state-of-the-art computer software as our tools - our "oil, brush, and canvas" - to perform the task of restoring, enhancing, manipulating, or repairing your cherished photo.

In short, there is no computer magic involved, just artistry, using a computer as the artist's tools.

Is the company you are interested in undercutting everyone else?

True restoration artists value their education, experience, skills and time . . . and charge a fee for their services accordingly.

Chances are, if a "company" is dramatically undercutting everyone else, alarm bells should be sounding.

Perhaps they are charging less than their competitors because they are failing as a business and are desperate to get the work. If that's the case, ask yourself this . . .


1) Are they failing because they lack the skills that others possess?

2) Will they be around long enough to finish the job?

3) Are they going to spend as much time on my image as necessary to get the job done right? Or are they going to take short-cuts, resulting in inferior results?

4) Could I get better results elsewhere by paying a little more?


Another possibility for the undercutting is that they are outsourcing the work . . . and your precious portrait . . . to countries where labor is cheap.

That's ok, I guess, if you are unconcerned about keeping your dollars in your own country. And if you like the restoration style in that part of the world, which is often over-airbrushed and soft, with exaggerated colors and smoothed over skin, so much so it looks like porcelain.

Also, if the work is outsources to others, contact with the company for things like quotes and minimal adjustments to the restored photo will most likely to be slower, given the third party element of the transaction and the various time zone involved.

If you are concerned about these issues, don't be afraid to ask!

Sticking with local artists in your country, who do not outsource the work to other countries, will not only boost your economy, it will most likely insure better craftsmanship and faster turnaround times.

And don't be afraid to pay a little more. You are not only paying to restore a photo; you are also paying to restore a memory. Chances are, it will be worth the extra money.

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10 Sites to Capture with Your Point and Shoot Camera

By Nicole Tripp


Some of the best vacations are the ones close to home. Sure, an escape to the Ishinca mountain peak of Peru would be amazing. However, the good ol’ United States has several great destinations that will wow your senses without needing a TSA pat down.

While New York never sleeps, Disney is the Happiest Place on Earth and D.C. has enough history and science museums to increase your IQ by 7 percent, there are many places to visit that are a little less popular. They are located all over the country, so it's easy to find one close to you. Pack a lunch, grab your point and shoot camera and enjoy a fun and unique day trip that will be just as impressive as toasting locals in Morocco with unpasteurized camel's milk. Here are 10 lesser-known sites to check out and explore.

10. Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo, TX
Located on a cattle ranch in the middle of Texas, the Cadillac Ranch is a commemorative art piece first created in 1974. Each Cadillac, made between 1949 and 1963, was planted nose first into the ground to show the evolution of the cars' defining tailfins. Although on private property, the Cadillac Ranch is open to the public. You are also welcome to bring along your spray paint and leave your colorful mark. It won't stay long, because so many people come through to see the Cadillac Ranch each day. This means you will have to make this a traditional stop on your way through Amarillo, Texas. Don’t forget to snap a pic with your digital camera so you can see how the artwork changes each time you stop.

 

9. The Start of the Mississippi – Bemidji, Minnesota
Mark Twain used Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn to enshrine the Mississippi River as a mesmerizing U.S. tourist staple, making it synonymous with steamboats and river rafting. Most people meet up with the Mississippi River in the middle, in the states of Mississippi and Missouri. However, the start of the Mississippi is in the little town of Bemidji, Minnesota. Not only is the river crystal clear here, but Bemidji is also a great place to learn about Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, Babe. Both have a commemorative statue that has been on display in Bemidji since 1937. Paul Bunyan stands over 18 feet high, while Babe easily reaches his shoulder. It may take a moment to play with different angles, but you should be able to snap a pic of your kids with both statues in one shot.

 

8. Mystery Castle – Phoenix, AZ
Knowing he only had a short time to live, Boyce Luther Gulley built the Mystery Castle in 1930 for his little girl. The Mystery Castle is made from recycled materials Gulley found in the town dump. Stone, automobile parts, rail tracks and telephone poles are held together with a mortar rumored to be made from cement, calcium and goat milk. The Castle has 18 bedrooms, 13 fireplaces, a chapel, a cantina and a dungeon. Plumbing and electricity weren't added until 1992. Gulley eventually died from tuberculosis in 1945. His daughter, Mary Lou, turned the Mystery Castle into a museum and lived there until her death in 2010. The Mystery Castle is still open for public tours and photography is allowed, so don’t forget to bring along your digital camera.

 

7. Devil's Gulch – Garretson, South Dakota
Jesse James is one of the most romanticized villain in U.S. history. He was notorious for getting out of tough situations, and the great escape in Garretson, South Dakota, is no exception. The story is told that James was being heavily pursued by a large posse after robbing a bank in Missouri. James came to a rock chasm with a rushing river far below. With the posse bearing down, James' only choice was to jump the gorge. Without much hesitation, Jesse James reared his horse and jumped, landing unscathed on the other side and safely riding to freedom. The infamous jumping place is now known as Devil's Gulch, and a bridge has been built for visitors to easily cross the West River. The easy-to-hike trails lead to beautiful scenic spots, perfect as natural backdrops to your photos. Commemorative plaques and a visitor center will give you more details about the heart-beating escape of James all those years ago.

 

6. Museum of American Speed – Lincoln, Nebraska
This three-story museum is dedicated to everything in racing and automotive history. Founded by Speedy Bill Smith in 1992, the museum has engines, cars, toys, racing memorabilia and much more. You can see amazing, fully intact cars – from a 1886 Benz Paten Motor-Wagon and a 1932 Boothill Express, to Kasey Kahne’s #9 NASCAR Sprint Cup Car. Other collections include soap box derby cars, pedal cars, hood ornaments and every car engine imaginable. There is an admission fee in order to get in and daily tours are offered, though you are free to explore on your own, too.

 

5. Mt. Rushmore Celebrity Heads – Branson, Missouri
The Hollywood Wax Museum in Branson, Missouri, created a replica of Mount Rushmore outside its building as a way to attract potential tourists. Instead of presidents, this Rushmore dons the faces of four celebrities: John Wayne, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and Oliver Hardy. Since the Mount is located outside, it doesn't cost anything to drive up and snap a photo. If you want to meet more celebrities, it doesn't cost much to go inside the museum and take even more impressive pictures standing next to you favorite Hollywood icon. A portion of your admissions proceeds will be donated to the local Generation Rescue chapter, a non-profit organization devoted to autism research.

 

4. Goblin Valley – Green River, Utah
Hundreds of wind carved goblins cover the valley, making it look like something from Mars rather than the desert of Utah. In fact, several sci-fi movies, including Galaxy Quest, have filmed their Martian scenes in Goblin Valley. Open year-round and with camping facilities right inside the park, Goblin Valley is a beautiful place to explore and imagine. Even young tourists enjoy playing hide-and-go-seek among the sandstone figures and exploring nooks and crannies. Wildlife is abundant in the valley, and the weather is beautiful all year long. No two goblins are the same, so be sure to pack an extra battery for your digital camera, so you can keep exploring and capturing those images without having to stop.

 

3. Atlanta's Underground – Atlanta, Georgia
Stepping into Atlanta’s Underground is like stepping back in time with much of the original marble, decorative brickwork, and gas street lamps still visible. Atlanta’s Underground City has been a popular retail and entertainment hub for over 50 years. Several of the storefronts were built following the Civil War, during the Reconstruction era. Over the years, shop keepers started moving higher up to be at the same level as Atlanta’s railroad, and the original shops were buried and streets paved over them. In the 1960s, the shops were rediscovered and were converted into an underground shopping plaza. Today you can still see much of the old, original décor from the 1800s while enjoying modern music, food and shopping.

 

2. Myles Standish Burial Ground – Duxbury, Massachusetts
The Myles Standish Burial Ground is the oldest known cemetery in the United States. One of the signers of the Mayflower Compact, Myles Standish was hired to be the military leader of the Pilgrims after they landed in Plymouth. He devoted most of his life to protecting the new colonists from rogue and dangerous Native Americans before retiring in Duxbury, Massachusetts, a colony he helped found. Standish died at the age of 72 and was buried in the Duxbury cemetery. Along with Standish, there are 130 marked gravesites in the cemetery, including the well-known pilgrims Capt. Jonathan Alden and his wife Priscilla, as well as Revolutionary War soldiers and veterans of the War of 1812.

 

1. The Fremont Troll – Seattle, Washington
The Fremont Troll was built under the Aurora Bridge in an attempt to make better use of the empty space. Encouraged by the local folklore of trolls that live under bridges and terrorize children and luminous women, the Fremont Arts Council held a national contest to find the most creative design for a troll monument. In 1990, the 18-foot monument was built using more than two tons of concrete, rebar and wire – oh, and a 1960s Volkswagen Beetle. Over the last couple of decades, shops and local entertainment have developed around the Troll, including Troll-a-ween and the performance of Shakespeare at the Troll. At one time, the Elvis time capsule was imbedded inside. There is enough room under the bridge to pull over and snap a photo or two, so don’t forget to bring along your camera.

There are hundreds more quaint places to visit and unusual sites to see all over the United States. Regardless of where your travels take you, make sure you take your digital camera along and capture the memories to relive over and over again in the years to come.

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