We are sometimes asked to restore an actual physical photograph (photograph preservation) as opposed to restoring a digital scan of the same photograph.
Photograph preservation can improve a photograph, image quality is not usually the primary purpose. Conservators will try to improve the overall visual appearance, but they would find it impossible to match what can be achieved by digital restoration. Because of the knowledge and skill and time required to carry out the physical preservation, the cost is likely to be prohibitive.
Digital restoration has many advantages including:
Preservation of the original photograph
Prevention from further deterioration
Eliminating scratches, blemishes, tears, folds and fading
Increase in the level of detail and enhancement of facial detail
Prints of any size can be made and shared
The ease of storage of digital files, also able to be shared
We are very pleased to let you know that Luca Quasimodo has joined Photographs Forever on a full-time basis. He will be creating our photobooks as well as carrying out many other duties so that we can be as efficient with customer photographs and photograph restoration. Luca has been working for us part time until now. He has a Design Degree from Brighton University.
Here’s a photograph montage we completed for our client Stephen F
Here’s Stephen’s feedback:
“The photo is of myself and my grandson Dylan and individual photos were taken 15 years apart. Dylan’s father actually asked if I’d got dressed in my old uniform to have that photo taken, he couldn’t believe the one of myself was 15 years old. I’ve spoken to Dylan and my daughter (his mum) and they are also very happy that you are considering using that photo as they both love it and can’t get over how good it is.”
We now have the ability to sharpen up those out of focus faces that many old photographs suffer from. Sharpening face detail restores lost detail and brings back the true skin tones and all aspects of face detail
This photograph was taken on 3rd of February 1962, when Colin and Jan were just 21 and 19 years old. As soon as we saw the photo we were instantly struck by how heart-warming it was, their faces a perfect picture of happiness!
Since 1962 Colin and Jan went on to have four children and four grand-children, and it was their grand-daughter Emily who contacted us in January as she hoped to give her grandparents a restored version of their precious photograph for their 60th wedding anniversary.
Jan says “We got married at the church that was once part of Hanworth Palace owned by Henry VIII. I walked through the door on the arm of my dad and felt part of the history of it all. Hiring the Daimler on the day of our wedding was a luxury I had not known before. The car arrived to take us the short distance to the reception. It was such a happy day I don’t think we noticed the cold February weather.”
Emily tells us that her great-grandfather (Jan’s dad) was the gardener at Hanworth Palace, and when her granddad Colin first visited her Nan, who lived in the grounds, he mistakenly thought he had struck gold, believing Jan’s family owned the estate!
On 3rd February 2022, Emily presented her grandparents with the photograph that we had restored and framed and kindly sent us these photographs of their reaction…
Do you ever have difficulty thinking of a gift for someone special? A gift they will truly appreciate?
Our bespoke, premium quality photobooks are the perfect gift that your family and friends will love – one that is bound to give lasting pleasure.
A PHOTOBOOK IS AN IDEAL GIFT FOR….
Christmas
Birthday
Wedding Anniversary
Special Occasion
Photographs really are one of the very few things that are both precious and truly irreplaceable. We usually store them away in a cupboard, drawer or the attic and never look at or appreciate them as often as we should.
A collection of your favourite photographs, beautifully presented in one of our high quality lay-flat photobooks makes looking at them a pleasure every time.
As well as considering old family photographs, don’t forget that you probably have thousands of photographs on your mobile phone that may never see the light of day!
Choose the best ones and fully enjoy them in a photobook.
We can help you at every stage of the process, including scanning and collating your photographs, optimising them to reduce fading and correct the colours, putting the photobook together with titles and captions and even sending you an online virtual proof of the book, for you to approve before it’s printed.
Ournew lay-flat VIP photobook offers a truly professional finish. The photographs in it are photographically printed on heavy weight 440gsm photographic lustre paper and then sewn bound for added permanence. The outer cover can also be printed. This is a substantial book that is far superior to many other photobooks you may have seen.
The seamless lay-flat albums use a unique stitched binding which allows for the continuous flow of images over a spread, with no central image loss. See further details HERE
Take the first step now! It’s so easy to proceed in simple steps.
This is a testimonial we received as a result of a photobook we produced recently:
“We had the idea of a family history photobook and turned to Photographs Forever for help and advice. Over the last year we have worked with Richard and his daughter Amy to restore and edit around 175 photographs and create an illustrated family history. The photo restoration work was never in doubt but what really struck us this time was the quality of the design and layout of the album, combining very old sepia toned photos with modern, colour digital prints together with a significant amount of explanatory text. One friend described the finished product as “a work of art” and the whole family is mightily impressed. We now have a wonderful photographic record for posterity and are very grateful to Richard and team for making this possible and for the never-ending patience throughout the project – Many thanks Richard”
Graham J.
We have just started advertising Photographs Forever on Radio Caroline to increase the awareness of the importance of preserving our memories with photographs.
Like me, I’m sure many people remember the heyday of the pirate radio stations in the mid 60’s and the way they revolutionised popular music by playing and plugging singles all day every day as there was very little pop music on the BBC at the time. BBC were then forced in 1967 to create a new pop music station which became Radio 1.
A month or so ago the family were holidaying overlooking the Blackwater Estuary in Essex and noticed a stationary red ship which I soon realised was Radio Caroline. I was intrigued to listen to the station and found I liked much of the music played and decided that if I enjoyed it then maybe so would other people of a similar age (and younger of course).
Radio Caroline is now a 24/7 album station featuring music from across the decades up to and including new music.
Broadcasting on 648 AM, on DAB and around the world online at radiocaroline.co.uk
You can listen to the Photographs Forever advertisement below
There is also the Caroline Flashback station which concentrates on playing pop singles from the 60’s and 70’s. Lots of the songs played are ones we remember but not always the same oldies so often played on other oldie stations.
Click on the links above and take a listen to the Caroline stations.
Here are compelling reasons why you should tune into Radio Caroline Flashback:
Nostalgic Music Selection: The station plays a rich mix of classic hits from the 1960s, 1970s, and beyond, taking listeners on a trip down memory lane and bringing back the soundtracks of their youth.
Authentic Retro Experience: Radio Caroline Flashback maintains the spirit and legacy of the original Radio Caroline, which was iconic for its role in the 1960s pirate radio movement. It recaptures that rebellious, free-spirited essence.
Unique Radio Heritage: Tuning in supports and celebrates a piece of broadcasting history, as Radio Caroline is known for pioneering the concept of independent radio in the UK.
Community Connection: Listening provides a shared experience with others who appreciate the golden era of music, fostering a sense of community among like-minded fans.
Ad-Free and Non-Commercial: The station prioritizes the music without commercial interruptions, offering a refreshing and relaxing listening experience AND NO NEWS!
High-Quality Broadcasts: Radio Caroline Flashback provides crystal-clear sound quality, allowing older classics to be enjoyed in their full, rich audio detail.
A Break from Modern Trends: It offers a respite from the fast-paced, modern music trends, providing a comforting and familiar alternative that resonates with older tastes.
Musical Variety: The station features an extensive playlist that highlights not just the biggest hits but also hidden gems from past decades, catering to varied tastes and deepening the appreciation of vintage music.
Timeless DJs and Hosts: The station may include presenters who have been part of the radio industry for decades, bringing their knowledge, personal stories, and passion for music to the forefront.
Accessible and Easy to Use: Radio Caroline Flashback is accessible online and through various radio platforms, making it easy to tune in from anywhere with minimal technical hassle.
Keeps Memories Alive: For many older listeners, the music played on Radio Caroline Flashback can spark memories of special moments in their lives, from first dances and concerts to road trips and social gatherings.
Promotes Well-Being: Music from one’s past can evoke positive emotions, improve mood, and even promote cognitive function, offering mental health benefits.
Cultural Relevance: Listening helps maintain a connection with cultural history and keeps alive the legacy of a revolutionary era in music and broadcasting.
Radio Caroline Flashback isn’t just a station; it’s an experience that preserves and celebrates the sounds and spirit of past decades for those who lived through them and wish to relive their cherished memories.
