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
Here’s the difference
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.
2020 has been a very unusual year in so many ways for all of us. One factor that has occurred to many of us is the importance of the family and close relationships as we have had time to reflect.
I will be moving to a smaller house soon and, as I have to get rid of quite a lot of ‘stuff’, it has occurred to me that when I look around the house to decide what’s precious, there really is very little that I couldn’t live without. Except photographs. Photographs are one of the very few things that can’t be replaced and they are therefore possibly our most important and valuable possession.
Because we have all had more time on our hands than usual, photograph collections that have been overlooked for years have finally been finding the light of day and getting them scanned and either optimised or fully restored has enabled these very special photographs to be enjoyed so much more.
So, if you haven’t checked out your own photograph collection yet, there is no better time than the cold dark winter months. Apart from anything else, it is actually a very enjoyable exercise. So make that diary note to do it. You’ll be glad you did.
There has been a very big increase in the number of photographs I have received because going through the masses of old family photographs is a job that is so often put off by many people due to lack of time and for these past few months have provided the time and the environment to tackle the task. It’s always much more fun than people expect. And the rewards are huge.
I am now very excited to be able to offer you a top quality bespoke framing service. This means I can offer custom size prints, mounts and frames to show off your restored photographs in the best way possible so they can receive the attention and admiration they deserve.
The most popular moulding is the solid wood satin black or mahogany with single or double mounts.
Satin Black Frame
Mahogany frame
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I can also provide multi aperture frames – the one below is 20in x 16in with two landscape format 8in x 6in prints and two portrait format 5in x 7in prints. There are several multi aperture options available and the frames can be any size you choose. Heavier mouldings are available for larger sizes.
I can even show you what your photograph will look like before you order including all the relevant dimensions. This is particularly useful if you want a specific frame size to fit a specific space in your house.
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A representation of your own photo with dimensions added
This photograph was in a really bad state as you can see below.
Ann M was very happy with the result. She told me “My Mum’s picture has pride of place on the mantelpiece and is a great talking point for everyone who comes in! My brother and sisters back in Ireland have been astounded and delighted with the copies I sent them. It has given us all so much happiness.”
My customer John G had a photograph he had taken of an old oil painting of an early member of his family (centre photo above). The photograph he gave me was not very good quality itself and you can see by the close up of the face on the left that the surface of the painting was also very cracked and damaged.
On the right is the same section after I had digitally restored it.
Holly asked me to create this photograph for her mum.
She left this review on Google:
Richard at Photographs Forever blended three photographs together for me of my mum with myself and two sisters, one who sadly passed away when she was a baby before my second sister was born. It’s a photograph that would have been impossible to do but my mum wished she had a photo of us all together and now she does. It made her cry and is the sort of thing that is absolutely priceless and means so much. Richard stayed in touch the whole time and his communication was second to none. Such a professional service and very reasonably priced too. Will definitely be using him again!
Carol send me the creased old photo to restore. Her romantic story is below.
‘So the original photo was taken in London in 1998 in a pub called the Bram Stoker Tavern. Adam worked there, he was on a work visa from Australia. At the time he was 20 and I was 21.
I was a nanny that lived around the corner. One evening I walked into that pub and was greeted by his cute Aussie accent declaring that I was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.
We fell madly in love! Both of us had never been in love before. After a year I decided I hated living in London and wanted to come home back to my country life in Oxfordshire. Adam didn’t want that and unfortunately we split up. Both of us being stubborn.
Fast forward 20 years, he had been looking for me for years on Facebook but I had my married name still even though I was divorced but I found him! I never stopped thinking about him. He told me that he had never stopped loving me and he wished he had moved to Oxfordshire with me all those years ago.
After a few months of online dating he gave up his job and moved to England. We are planning to get married and have a couple of children. Life is really good. ‘
Here is a photograph I restored recently that had a burnt patch and lots of creases. I removed them and then went on to add colour.
